Woodrow Wilson to William Cox Redfield

Notwithstanding the dangers and difficulties stated in your interesting letter of yesterday about the commercial side of what we are about to attempt in Russia, I believe we shall have to attempt it in the way I originally suggested because the official action of the Government and the use of public funds in that part of the enterprise seems, for the present at any rate, out of the question. I hope that through the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce and the firms of which the Secretary of State spoke the other night who are directly interested in trade in Russia we may be able to organize effort in that field, and I feel a reasonable confidence that under the influence and guidance of the Commission that whole matter may be kept within the bounds of fairness and right dealing if there should be any disposition to make it anything else.

Cordially and sincerely yours,

Woodrow Wilson


Hon. William C. Redfield
,Secretary of Commerce.