Woodrow Wilson to Victor F. Lawson

I am warmly obliged to you for your interesting and enlightening letter of August 5th.

My apprehension about immediate legislation would be this: that it would create a false impression on the other side of the water, particularly among the more active socialists and labor elements (though I do not couple these together in my thought). They would think that it was a counsel of despair with regard to having any other basis for peace after the war except force and, what they have been so uneasy about, namely, universal military service. Moreover, you know that what I have at heart is something which I have to admit that I have not been able to find time to work out in detail, namely a combination of military with industrial training. I should wish such a system, if worked out, to be national in character and adapted in large part to conditions, which we cannot yet clearly forecast, which will follow the war.

These are just hastily dictated lines, in which I am throwing my thought at you in unchiseled chunks, but I know that you will read more than I have written.

I am greatly reassured by your generous approval of my action with regard to Russia. It is a matter of the most complex and difficult sort, and I have at no time felt confidence in my own judgment about it.

Cordially and sincerely yours,



Mr. Victor F. Lawson
Chicago, Ill.

There are shorthand notations below the date.