PC March to Woodrow Wilson
Title
PC March to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
March, Peyton Conway, 1864-1955
Identifier
WWP25572
Date
1918 November 30
Description
General March passes along the opinion from General Pershing on troops in Italy.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Italy
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
Contributor
Anna Phillips
Relation
WWP25573
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
Before leaving the City, Secretary Baker spoke to me about the question of bringing back the regiment of United States troops which is serving with the Italian Army, and I furnished him a copy of General Bliss’s original cablegram on which the action of the Department was based, and which I understand he has sent to you.
I have received this morning a cablegram from General Pershing bearing upon the situation, and would suggest that General Pershing be advised to proceed in accordance with his recommendation in the next to the last sentence of this cablegram. It would, in my opinion, be most unfortunate if the unique position held by the United States in all countries due to the principles for which we fought and the absence of desire for material gain should be injured by having any of our troops exploited by local military commanders in other countries. It seems to me that these local designs should not be allowed to hide behind the United States flag.
Sincerely yours,
PC March
General,
Chief of Staff.
The President,
The White House.
Before leaving the City, Secretary Baker spoke to me about the question of bringing back the regiment of United States troops which is serving with the Italian Army, and I furnished him a copy of General Bliss’s original cablegram on which the action of the Department was based, and which I understand he has sent to you.
I have received this morning a cablegram from General Pershing bearing upon the situation, and would suggest that General Pershing be advised to proceed in accordance with his recommendation in the next to the last sentence of this cablegram. It would, in my opinion, be most unfortunate if the unique position held by the United States in all countries due to the principles for which we fought and the absence of desire for material gain should be injured by having any of our troops exploited by local military commanders in other countries. It seems to me that these local designs should not be allowed to hide behind the United States flag.
Sincerely yours,
PC March
General,
Chief of Staff.
The President,
The White House.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
March, Peyton Conway, 1864-1955, “PC March to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 November 30, WWP25572, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.