Charles J. Edwards to Colonel House
Title
Charles J. Edwards to Colonel House
Creator
Charles J. Edwards
Identifier
WWP22377
Date
1918 May 21
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957
Text
My dear Colonel House
It may be indecent for me to repeat this, as it is to a certain extent a breach of trust to pass it on to you; but I believe it is my reasonable duty, as a friend of The President, to see that he gets it.
It is in effect, that President Lowell makes the statement that he was told directly by the President that if Germany would make satisfactory terms about Belgium and Alsace Loraine, he ( the President) was inclined to give Germany a free hand in the East.President Lowell, in being questioned as to the authenticity of the statement, and asked to deny it, by some of his friends, stated, "I am sorry I cannot deny it because it is substantially true"; and further that the President had said to him that he did not agree with Lloyd George in thinking we could beat Germany on the Western Front. Also, that after this drive was over, the President felt sure thought that peace terms would be put forward by Germany and that he would give them serious consideration.
I hesitate to mention any further names in connection with this, but I understand that President Lowell was so "disturbed" by what the President had said, that he at once took the matter up with Roosevelt.
I am sending this to you for your consideration and entirely apart from any desire to know if it is so or not; or to secure any satisfaction to myself. It seems to me important that the President should "know" where, or how some stories get afloat, and how somewhat confidential information gets out.
It may be indecent for me to repeat this, as it is to a certain extent a breach of trust to pass it on to you; but I believe it is my reasonable duty, as a friend of The President, to see that he gets it.
It is in effect, that President Lowell makes the statement that he was told directly by the President that if Germany would make satisfactory terms about Belgium and Alsace Loraine, he ( the President) was inclined to give Germany a free hand in the East.President Lowell, in being questioned as to the authenticity of the statement, and asked to deny it, by some of his friends, stated, "I am sorry I cannot deny it because it is substantially true"; and further that the President had said to him that he did not agree with Lloyd George in thinking we could beat Germany on the Western Front. Also, that after this drive was over, the President felt sure thought that peace terms would be put forward by Germany and that he would give them serious consideration.
I hesitate to mention any further names in connection with this, but I understand that President Lowell was so "disturbed" by what the President had said, that he at once took the matter up with Roosevelt.
I am sending this to you for your consideration and entirely apart from any desire to know if it is so or not; or to secure any satisfaction to myself. It seems to me important that the President should "know" where, or how some stories get afloat, and how somewhat confidential information gets out.
With cordial regards as always.
Hon. Edward M. House,
115 East 53rd Street,
New York City.
Original Format
Enclosure
To
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Charles J. Edwards, “Charles J. Edwards to Colonel House,” 1918 May 21, WWP22377, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.