Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
Identifier
WWP25410
Date
No date
Description
Edward M. House writes that views are favorable among the European government and that President Wilson should visit immediately after the peace is signed.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--United States
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25409
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Forfend
Earnestly advise I consider that we have won a great diplomatic victory in getting the Allies to accept the principles laid down in your January eighth speech and in your subsequent addresses. This has been done in the face of a hostile and influential junta in the United States and the thoroughly unsympathetic personnel constituting the Entente governments. I doubt whether any of the heads of the governments with whom we have been dealing quite realize (how) far they are now committed to the American peace program. As far as the question of freedom of the seas is concerned I think it ________________ say that Balfour agrees with me and so in a lesser degree did Eric Geddes. It is only that mischievous and reactionary blue water school that drove George to take his extraordinary attitude. Reading I think treated the matter from the lawyers view point and felt that George was his client motive for what he said did not impress me as being his own convictions. But few French Prime minister and George wanted to make the League of Nations an after consideration, and not make it a part of the Peace Conference (live by) ________________ enough your speech of September twenty-seventh as published here was clearly open to this interpretation par excellence. It serves (set) them right about (proceeded from) but did not press it further at the moment for in accepting your terms they automatically accept this also. If Germany accepts the conditions of our armistice, the Peace Conference should be called for December eleventh (cannot be justified) there abouts. It would be necessity for you (bide our time) leave as soon as possible in order to have some preliminary conferences here (was only an) with France and Italy. This is essential. If Germany accepts by November tenth could you not sail on the eighteenth? I think Oxford may offer you degree of D C L. This would give a reason for landing in England and also for making an address. Impossible to do anything at present busy bringing every force to bear to help win a peoples victory, and your landing in England is an essential part of it. I send to London tonight. Wiseman has been splendidly helpful.
[Note: This version is handwritten with a number of words crossed out]
Earnestly advise I consider that we have won a great diplomatic victory in getting the Allies to accept the principles laid down in your January eighth speech and in your subsequent addresses. This has been done in the face of a hostile and influential junta in the United States and the thoroughly unsympathetic personnel constituting the Entente governments. I doubt whether any of the heads of the governments with whom we have been dealing quite realize (how) far they are now committed to the American peace program. As far as the question of freedom of the seas is concerned I think it ________________ say that Balfour agrees with me and so in a lesser degree did Eric Geddes. It is only that mischievous and reactionary blue water school that drove George to take his extraordinary attitude. Reading I think treated the matter from the lawyers view point and felt that George was his client motive for what he said did not impress me as being his own convictions. But few French Prime minister and George wanted to make the League of Nations an after consideration, and not make it a part of the Peace Conference (live by) ________________ enough your speech of September twenty-seventh as published here was clearly open to this interpretation par excellence. It serves (set) them right about (proceeded from) but did not press it further at the moment for in accepting your terms they automatically accept this also. If Germany accepts the conditions of our armistice, the Peace Conference should be called for December eleventh (cannot be justified) there abouts. It would be necessity for you (bide our time) leave as soon as possible in order to have some preliminary conferences here (was only an) with France and Italy. This is essential. If Germany accepts by November tenth could you not sail on the eighteenth? I think Oxford may offer you degree of D C L. This would give a reason for landing in England and also for making an address. Impossible to do anything at present busy bringing every force to bear to help win a peoples victory, and your landing in England is an essential part of it. I send to London tonight. Wiseman has been splendidly helpful.
[Note: This version is handwritten with a number of words crossed out]
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938, “Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson,” No date, WWP25410, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.