Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson

I have just had a long conference with General Bridges. We discussed the following subjects with the following results:
1. The United States is to extend medical aid to the British forces on the French front by the dispatch of hospital units, doctors and nurses, from time to time, with the understanding that these units are to be subject to collection as a part of our own military forces as they may be needed when our military expeditions arrive on the French front. A similar arrangement dealing with ambulance service as distinguished from hospital service has been undertaken with the French.
2. I am considering with the British Mission the question of sending a number of air-squadrons to England, there to be equipped with war-planes and given the finishing touches of air drill for war service and to be used in connection with the British air-squadrons as soon as properly schooled; with a like reservation of the right on our part to withdraw them for our own military expedition when needed. The question of doing this has not yet been determined but it is recommended by General Squier and I think ought to be done, if it can be, speedily.
3. General Bridges took up with me the question of an expeditionary force, urging that it would be better for such a force from the United States to cooperate with the English because of similarity of language. But I told him frankly that there were many considerations to be weighed in this matter and that the likelihood was that our first expeditionary forces would cooperate more directly with the French. He seemed entirely satisfied and apparently had been directed not to stress this point. My reasons in the matter are as follows:-
(a) I think popular sentiment in our own country would approve cooperation with the French first rather than with the English;
(b) our naval cooperation is necessarily with the English; our air-craft cooperation preferably with the English; our medical and hospital cooperation about equally with each and it would seem more equal to have our direct military cooperation first with the French.
4. The question of aid from America in the operation of English and French railroads in France was taken up. Both the English and French Commissions are urging their need of trained railroad men - not so much engineers as constructors and expert repair-mechanics. I asked General Bridges whether cooperation from us with the French in that regard would not be equally helpful to both British and French. He said it would - that the British were already obliged to aid the French in maintaining their railroad operation and that any aid we could give the French there would both help and relieve the British. This proposition involves the assembling in this country of regiments of special troops which are already authorized by law and could be quickly assembled. Mr. Willard says the railroads could supply the men without interfering with their own efficiency. In all, perhaps, as many as 10,000 men would be needed. General Black, under whom this work would be organized, thinks it an entire feasible form of cooperation, and both the French and British Commissions urge it as of very great value to them. I have withheld any expression of opinion on the matter, subject to your direction. If you care to have me go into further detail about it, I will be glad, of course, to come to you at any time. These troops if assembled and sent would be American troops under the American flag; paid by us as troops and subsisted by the French and English respectively at our charge.
5. General Bridges took up with me the question of their being allowed to recruit for British service in this country - first, as to British-born subjects resident here and, second, as to citizens of the United States. I told him that we could in no event allow the opening of recruiting offices here for the recruitment of American citizens as that would take from us the whole power of assembling exempting persons indispensable to the industry of the country, upon which the success of all parties interested depended; that if Congress passes the bill now pending, there would be no objection from the War Department as a military matter to the voluntary recruitment of British subjects in the United States. The number would not in any event be large and, as it would be voluntary, it would hardly seem to be objectionable. He then asked me whether we would object to their putting their conscription act into effect in this country through the medium of our courts solely upon British subjects resident here. Their conscription act applies only to persons born in the United Kingdom and not to persons born in Ireland. I told him that that question was one of international policy and one of political policy in our Government and not a military question, and that I could not give any answer beyond saying that further legislation from Congress would be needed before any such enforced application of the obligation of British-born subjects resident here could be effected. Out of the foregoing, the only question arising for immediate consideration by you is the advisability of cooperation in the railroad maintenance and operation and upon that I should like to have your direction.

Respectfully yours,

The President