Negotiating in the Press: American Journalism and Diplomacy, 1918-1919 (Media & Public Affairs Ser.)

329 Pages·2010·1.58 MB·English

by  Joseph R. Hayden

NegotiatiNg iN the Press
Media & Public affairs
Robert Mann, Series Editor
Media & Public Affairs, a book series published by Louisiana State
University Press and the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at
the Manship School of Mass Communication, LSU, explores the com-
plex relationship between knowledge and power in our democracy.
Books in this series examine what citizens and public officials know,
where they get their information, and how they use that information
to act. For more information, visit www.lsu.edu/mpabookseries.
NegotiatiNg
Press
iN the
AmericAn JournAlism And diplomAcy, 1918–1919
r s
JosePh r. haydeN
Louisiana state university Press
Baton rouge
Published by Louisiana State University Press
Copyright © 2010 by Louisiana State University Press
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
First printing
designer: Michelle A. Neustrom
TyPefaces: Adobe Garamond Pro, Marcel
PrinTer and binder: Thomson-Shore, Inc.
library of congress caTaloging-in-PublicaTion daTa
Hayden, Joseph, 1964–
Negotiating in the press : American journalism and diplomacy, 1918–1919 / Joseph R.
Hayden.
p. cm. — (Media & public affairs)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8071-3515-0 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Journalism—Political aspects—United States—History—20th century. 2.
Government and the press—United States. 3. Press and politics—United States—
History—20th century. 4. World War, 1914–1918—Public opinion. 5. United States—
Foreign relations—1913–1921. I. Title. II. Series.
PN4738.H39 2010
070.4'4932773—dc22
2009020003
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity
of the Council on Library Resources. ��
CoNteNts
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction: Progressivism, Journalism,
and Diplomacy 1
ParT one The War of Words
Government Publicity during World War I
1 Federal Power and Publicity 17
2 The New Presidency 34
3 The New Diplomacy 41
ParT Two Professionalizing Journalism
The Democratic Control of Public Opinion
4 The Professionalization of Journalism 53
5 Woodrow Wilson and the Press 68
ParT Three Rekindling Professionalism
The Atlantic Transition
6 “The Great Adventure” 81
ParT four Confrontation and Stability
The Role of the Press at the Paris Peace Conference
7 “The American Newspaper Men . . . Went
Bolshevik”: The Controversy over
Press Access 115
v
vi • conTenT s
8 Routines 128
9 Reaction 140
10 Relationships 148
11 Participation 164
ParT five The Democratic Din of Public Opinion
The Treaty Fight
12 Anti-Treaty Opposition 189
13 The Pro-Treaty Campaign 201
14 The Printers’ Strike and Other Distractions 213
15 The Press and the Senate 218
Conclusion: Peacemaking, 1919, and the Role
of Journalism 226
Notes 235
Bibliography 283
Index 309
aCkNowledgmeNts
two decades ago in a lecture hall packed with students, I heard In-
diana University professor George Juergens tell the following story
about Woodrow Wilson. It seems the president was vacationing in
Bermuda and had just returned from a bicycle trip with his daughter Jessie.
The two were tired and sweaty and perhaps not in the most sociable of moods
when a flock of reporters descended on them, a few snapping photographs to
record the occasion. Wilson testily asked that they stop, saying he didn’t so
much mind the pictures of him but believed his daughter was a private figure
who did not deserve the intrusion. When one photographer continued any-
way, Wilson lost his temper and started for him angrily: “I want to give you
the worst thrashing you ever had in your life, and what’s more, I’m perfectly
able to do it.”
I knew then I had to learn more about this president. The result was a
paper, a dissertation, and ultimately this book. Thus my earliest debt is to
Dr. Juergens, who showed me the passionate side to Wilson, nourished my
professional interest in journalism history, and served as an adviser and dis-
sertation committee member.
I have known David Nord of Indiana University almost as long and owe
him quite as much. His thoughtful seminar on the history of the press is the
kind of graduate school experience you dream about, one that encourages
both learning and creativity, analysis and play. Professor Nord was also kind
enough to take over full-time duty as dissertation chair, and without him this
project might not have been completed. Through the years, then, we have
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