Harold F. McCormick to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Harold F. McCormick to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
McCormick, Harold F. (Harold Fowler), 1872-1941
Identifier
WWP25042
Date
1918 March 17
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Hertling, Georg Friedrich, graf von, 1843-1919
World War, 1914-1918--United States
World War, 1914-1918--Germany
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWI1020A, WWI1020B, WWI1020C, WWI1020D, WWI1020E
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Message from Count Hertling to President Wilson
Message transmitted by Harold F: McCormick under authorization. Words are those dictated by Baron Haniel von Hainhausen and reread to him.
Date March 17-18-19 - 1918
Mr. President:-
I met, at his request, Mr. Leopold Nathan, a German Scientist, living part of the time in Zurich, who offered his services to the German Government early in the war. In the course of such interviews as we had I became impressed with the genuineness of his attitude. Our first meetings were in connection with his interest in my pamphlet “Via Pacis.” I reported these meetings to Colonel House and to the Legation at Berne. Through Mr. Nathan, I was asked if I would see Baron Haniel, who has been in Washington, and who now is officially connected with the German Government, and receive from him a message from Count Hertling. On my answering in the affirmative, Baron Haniel came to Zurich and conveyed to me the message I am now sending by mail. Baron Haniel told me that in giving the message he was speaking for Count Hertling in exact language. He referred constantly to notes of his while speaking.
The message was first given me on the understanding I would endeavor to convey it verbally. I took the notes accordingly. Since then I have been allowed to transpose the notes into a message itself to go by post, on the understanding volunteered by me I would endeavor to go over to America myself, as an individual, to be of whatever service I could be, in its consideration. Otherwise the sending of the message would have been unfavorably considered. A telegram received yesterday by Mr. Nathan from Baron Haniel says the message holds good today.
Mar 20-1918
Respectfully
Harold F: McCormick
Since 1915 my main interest has been centered, not in the question of terms in themselves or of the duration of the war, but in the question of a working understanding. [this sentence is written vertically in the right margin]
[March 17 1918]
[This was in the file unopened]
To the President, Washington.
Sent by
Harold F: McCormick
Hotel Baur-au-Sac,
Zurich
under authorization.
Message transmitted by Harold F: McCormick under authorization. Words are those dictated by Baron Haniel von Hainhausen and reread to him.
Date March 17-18-19 - 1918
Mr. President:-
I met, at his request, Mr. Leopold Nathan, a German Scientist, living part of the time in Zurich, who offered his services to the German Government early in the war. In the course of such interviews as we had I became impressed with the genuineness of his attitude. Our first meetings were in connection with his interest in my pamphlet “Via Pacis.” I reported these meetings to Colonel House and to the Legation at Berne. Through Mr. Nathan, I was asked if I would see Baron Haniel, who has been in Washington, and who now is officially connected with the German Government, and receive from him a message from Count Hertling. On my answering in the affirmative, Baron Haniel came to Zurich and conveyed to me the message I am now sending by mail. Baron Haniel told me that in giving the message he was speaking for Count Hertling in exact language. He referred constantly to notes of his while speaking.
The message was first given me on the understanding I would endeavor to convey it verbally. I took the notes accordingly. Since then I have been allowed to transpose the notes into a message itself to go by post, on the understanding volunteered by me I would endeavor to go over to America myself, as an individual, to be of whatever service I could be, in its consideration. Otherwise the sending of the message would have been unfavorably considered. A telegram received yesterday by Mr. Nathan from Baron Haniel says the message holds good today.
Mar 20-1918
Respectfully
Harold F: McCormick
Since 1915 my main interest has been centered, not in the question of terms in themselves or of the duration of the war, but in the question of a working understanding. [this sentence is written vertically in the right margin]
[March 17 1918]
[This was in the file unopened]
To the President, Washington.
Sent by
Harold F: McCormick
Hotel Baur-au-Sac,
Zurich
under authorization.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
McCormick, Harold F. (Harold Fowler), 1872-1941, “Harold F. McCormick to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 March 17, WWP25042, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.