William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson

Title

William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941

Identifier

WWP21655

Date

1917 July 18

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Language

English

Text

Dear Mr. President

The responsibility of lending $3,000,000,000 to foreign governments making war upon the enemies of the United States is a very grave one and I feel the weight of it keenly. At best it is a most difficult and exacting piece of work. In order to discharge it even with measurable intelligence and judgment, it is very necessary for me to be saturated with all available information concerning conditions in Europe and the progress of events. The power our Government has through these loan and credit operations is tremendous and I should like to be in the best possible position at all times to judge how and when that power can be exerted to the best advantage. As things stand today I have little or no knowledge of what is going on in Europe except what I read in the newspapers or can gather from my conversations with representatives of the governments seeking loans from us.
Do you not think that it would be wise and in the public interest for the State Department to send me, in confidence, copies of all telegrams and communications interchanged with the Allied Governments? It seems to me essential that I should have such information, and I am sure that it will be of great value to me in the discharge of my responsibilities. Of course, I do not want dispatches relating to routine or immaterial things. It seems to me that our financial policy can be made doubly potential if the State Department and the Treasury Department work in thorough cooperation. Mr. Lansing has shown always a genuine desire to cooperate and I would not have you infer that this suggestion is occasioned by any doubt on my part that he will continue to do so. I have not spoken to him about this matter, as I would not feel at liberty to make such a request without your approval. If you do approve, will you not kindly advise Mr. Lansing direct?

Cordially yours,
WG McAdoo

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WWI0481.pdf

Collection

Citation

McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941, “William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 July 18, WWP21655, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.