Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson

Spring-Rice in came this morning, just back from Canada, and very much perturbed. Balfour received the enclosed (paraphrased) cable from the British Government. I saw the original. This is the sense of it, but the other had some sentences which they have thought best to eliminate.Spring-Rice also showed me Balfour's reply, which was a very earnest argument against sending any such representative here at this time. He also added that if it was intended to send Northcliffe or anyone else your consent should first be obtained, for “yyou and you alone were the Government of the United States”.
I told Spring-Rice that I thought you would agree with Balfour that it would be best not to send anyone at present. Will you not confirm this if it reflects your views?The Ambassador knows and wishes this communication to go to you, but he especially requests that it go no further, provided Mr. Balfour's cable results in preventing the appointment being made.
I shall not be leaving until Saturday afternoon and a word from you tomorrow will reach me.115 East 53rd Street, New York.May 31, 1917.