John R. Mott to Woodrow Wilson

On my way home I am constrained to write you to express my sincere appreciation of the sympathetic consideration you have given to the proposals which we presented today as well as to the printed memorandum.

The reason we recommended that, in addition to the $2,200,000. for the educational campaign in Russia, $4,000,000. be devoted to the vitally important work of strengthening the morale and cheering and raising the spirit of the three armies ($2,000,000. to the Russian Army, $1,000,000. to the French, $1,000,000. to the Italian), instead of devoting $3,300,000. to this work in the Russian Army only, is that while the situation in France and Italy is not critical in the sense that it is in Russia, nevertheless our help in these two countries is imperatively needed. The next few months are the period of greatest strain to which the soldiers of France and Italy are likely to be subjected. The military, civil and religious leaders of these countries recognize the need of our help and have taken the initiative in earnestly requesting our cooperation. If the full $4,000,000. could be allocated now to the three armies, it would meet the emergency in each country promptly, quietly and effectively. This would enable us to meet the great opportunity and at the same time give us time to enlist gifts before additional funds are needed. We question whether any money will be spent which will prove to have been more highlymultiplying.

There would be some advantages in having Mr. Dodge serve as Treasurer of the entire fund. He is accessible and is immediately related to the work in all the countries concerned, and, I need not add, has a realizing sense of what is at stake and a real heart interest in the plan.

Permit me to reiterate my sense of the unique and very great service you have rendered in your reply to the Pope. It has done more than any individual or collective action since the War began to clarify men's minds on the central issue, to unify and concentrate the will of the peoples associated with us and to prepare the way for the larger understanding which must be the precursor of the enduring peace.