Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
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It is stirring news that comes today. An armistice such as the Germans and Austrians ask for seems to me impossible, and yet a refusal should be couched in such terms as to leave the advantage with you.
If you could get the Central Powers to accept the terms of the note which you sent from here to Bulgaria it would, I believe, place you in the best possible position. The Germans will want immediate action and will probably suggest many expedients looking to an early preliminary conference. Our position I think should be one of delay without seeming so.
With Foch hammering on the west and with you driving the diplomatic wedge deeper, it is within the range of possibilities that the war may be over by the end of the year. I am fearful lest the Allies may make some diplomatic misstep. War is a terrible gamble and while everything seems with us now, something may throw the balance against us tomorrow.
With deep affection, I am,
Your devoted,E.M. House
115 East 53rd Street,
New York
.P. S. We are looking forward with the keenest pleasure to seeing you and Mrs. Wilson on Friday. I shall get seats for the "Follies" if they are , and if they are not, then to "The Girls Behind the Gun". We shall count upon you for dinner.
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