William Phillips to Woodrow Wilson

I fear that it is very presuming of me to take up the following matter with you direct and yet I feel that you will understand the spirit in which I do so, and that my only desire is to cooperate to the fullest extent.

Upon our entry into the war the importance of our Legations in Berne, Copenhagen, Stockholm and The Hague increased a hundred per cent. We depend on these Missions for most of our information coming from the Central Powers as well as for seeing that the American point of view permeates into the Central Powers. Of these four Missions Berne is much the most important. It is so regarded by Germany which has a Legation staff there of nearly five hundred people.

Switzerland, it seems to me, may be looked upon as the front door of the enemy and Swiss public opinion has in consequence a direct connection with public opinion in Germany and Austria. We need there a man of extraordinary ability, of strong personality, who will dominate the situation and at the same time possess qualities which will endear him to the Swiss people. Mr. Stovall unfortunately does not possess all of these qualities and as the importance of the Mission increases it becomes clearer that he cannot possibly meet the situation which is a most grave one. I wonder if it is practicable to give him some other post and since none is available at the present moment, to retain him in this country until a suitable post becomes vacant?If the situation was not critical I would be the last person to venture to put forward this suggestion, but feeling as strongly as I do that our Legation is not handling the situation as it should be handled, I am sure you will forgive my seeming intrusion.

With assurances of respect, etc., I am, my dear Mr. President,The President, The White House.