Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson
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Mr. Jusserand and Lord Reading have both called upon me with reference to the expressions of their Governments in the matter of the preferential shipping of Infantry and Machine Gun units.
There seems to be confusion as to whether the statement of General Foch as made before or after the formal written agreement drawn up by General Foch, Lord Milner and General Pershing as a committee and subsequently approved by the members of the Supreme War Council present at Abbeville. I told both Mr. Jusserand and Lord Reading that it seemed to me quite inadmissible for us here to reach any sort of agreement at variance with the formal written and signed agreement transmitted to us as representing the common belief of the military commanders; that if we undertook to depart from that program General Pershing might well feel disturbed and might come to the belief that so definite an agreement ought not to have been varied by the action of civilians without reference to him.
I, therefore, suggested that if General Foch felt that the agreement made did not really meet the exigencies of the military situation the best course would be for General Foch spontaneously to send for General Pershing, go over the military situation with him, and get General Pershing to agree to whatever modification is proper. We would then have a complete understanding between General Pershing and General Foch, and no possible holdback on General Pershing's part due to a feeling that his Government was not relying upon his judgment.Mr. Jusserand believes that the wisest course, and told me that he was going to suggest to Mr. Clemenceau that he suggest to General Foch that he send for General Pershing and work out just what they want in a discussion between two military commanders, with full opportunity to weigh from personal observation the military needs.
Newton D. Baker
jThe President,
The White House.
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