Henry B. Fine to Woodrow Wilson

A few days ago a self-constituted committee of townspeople, of which Flinn of the First National Bank was chairman, asked me to write you that the town would be much pleased to have the government establish one of the officer reserve training camps at Princeton, and as I can think of no reason why you should not be glad to know the wishes of the town in the matter I am writing. Some time ago the University authorities offered the use of the campus, dormitories and dining halls until Sept. for this purpose, the matter having been taken up with Mr. Baker and Gen. Scott. I do not think that the decision announced this morning regarding camps necessarily ends the consideration of the proposal for I understand that arrangements had been made by Mr. Baker to consider it and a similar proposal from Harvard more in detail at about this time. What would naturally suggest such a scheme is the fact that many of our own students are already in process of training and that the campus & buildings afford fine facilities for the accomodation of men engaged in this kind of work. But of course I do not need to expatiate on that point, since you know the case as well as I do. The only reason why I should write you about the matter at all is the one given at the outset – to let you know the feeling of the townspeople regarding it.
I cannot tell you how pleased we all are at the strong stand you have taken for conscription. Like everything else to which you have set your hand this will now surely come about. It is not only that conscription is the only fair, democratic, and effective plan. I can but fear that were the voluntary system given the trial its advocates urge for it the response would be so inadequate as to convince the Germans that the people of country are not ready to support the government in the stand which it has taken – and that would be a great and wholly unnecessary misfortune.
I cannot find words to express the admiration I feel for the wonderful skill and wisdom with which you have handled our relations with Germany ever since the European war began and for the great address to congress in which you made so clear what the fundamental issue is that now compels us to go to war.
With kind regards to Mrs. Wilson