George J. Sosnowski to Woodrow Wilson

New York

His Excellency, Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States,
White House, Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President
“Not the entry of America, but the degeneration of Russia, is the decisive element in the war”.

Such is the opinion of the German Government at this time, and, knowing it, we must exert our best energy to frustrate the plans of Germany in this direction. We must expect that the German Imperial Government will not spare their best talent in men and money in dealing the newly established Russian democracy a crushing blow. We have already a sign of this activity, when we note that Count von Bernstorff, Germany's best and crookedest diplomat and plotter, has been assigned as Ambassador to Sweden.

A new German consulate has been established at Haparanda, a small town on the frontier of Finland and Sweden, although there is no trade between Russian and Germany at this time.

Obviously, all these preparations are being made to institute a propaganda of intrigue, unrest and discontent in the interior and elsewhere in Russia where they may be able to develop it and provoke a separate peace.

The German General Staff will shift practically all of their activity to the Eastern front, and a big drive may reasonably be expected there into Russia, and I am quite certain that it will meet with considerable success, the Germans being today at the height of their military power; and to achieve this object, the German Government will do its utmost.

With a reverse of the Russian army, would come von Bernstorff's opportunity to launch a peace proposition. In the meantime, he will have ample time to promote and develop his intrigues inside of Russia, hoping to dishearten the people and force them to demand a cessation of hostilities.

The danger is obviously great, but, being aware of it, we might in a way partly contravene it. I say partly, because it will be a physical impossibility to avert military reverses.

The way, in my estimation, to meet this condition, is to uphold the Russian morale and let them know that we are coming to their aid and will help them in their necessity.

What Russia mostly needs is war material, but her communications with the outside world are very bad. The submarine menace is as great in the White Sea as in the danger zone.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is a single track affair and very badly managed. What should be done, is to lend Russia some able American traffic managers. If the largest railroads in Great Britain were improved under American management, it is obvious that the Trans-Siberian Railway would be similarly benefitted, and it is difficult to measure the enormous help this would be to Russia; I do not think I exaggerate when I say fifty per cent. benefit or increased efficiency. American railroad interests should, through the good offices of the Administration, get in touch with the Russian Government and get contracts to double track the Trans-Siberian Railway at such points as would best insure better traffic, and eliminate the inadequacy of a single track railway.

After improving their transportation in this way, we can speed war material and troops to Russia. The presence of American troops on Russian soil is of the utmost importance, not for fighting the Germans on the front, but to support the Government of the new Republic and help preserve its existence. This is a most vital question, and I beg of you, Mr. President, to give to this suggestion your most careful consideration.

The presence of American troops will work wonders in the minds and on the morale of the Russian people. It will inspire their confidence in the ultimate victory of the Allies, and give them a feeling of safety. It will further upset any effect of German propaganda established to poison the mind of the Russian people with the slogan “that the Allies will fight Germany to the last drop of Russian blood!” And above all, it will give to the Russian National Government a strong hand in all their actions,- to say nothing of paving the way for American capital and trade possibilities.

The offer of the Polish Falconers of 100,000 men for service in this war is also available for this service and affords the very best material for an expeditionary force to Russia, especially on account of the similarity of languages.

In a previous communication dated March 1st, I offered to you my services for the organization of a corps to be known as the “Kosciuszko Corps” of 40,000 of the Poles who have pledged themselves to the United States Army. Some General of the United States Army should be placed at the head of this Corps after its organization. If it would be your pleasure to commission me under him, I would gratefully accept.

I am, Your Excellency,
Most respectfully,
G. J. Sosnowski