Benjamin Strong Jr. to William Phillips
Title
Benjamin Strong Jr. to William Phillips
Creator
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928
Identifier
WWP18552
Date
1917 April 6
Description
Benjamin Strong Jr. writes to William Phillips about US neutrality.
Source
Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, New York Federal Reserve Bank
Language
English
Text
Denver, Colorado
PERSONAL.
My dear Phillips:
I suppose in these days you are not only swamped with work, but literally flooded with suggestions, and far be it from me to add to your troubles.
There is, however, one matter which is very much in my mind and I am writing to you about it, prompted by our chat nearly a year ago in regard to conditions in France and England. My visit to France in March, 1916, convinced me that underlying the characteristic politeness and geniality of our French friends, there was a very deep feeling of sentiment in regard to the position which the United States Government had taken in regard to its neutrality. We none of us at home can realize the extent of the awful sacrifices which are being made by the French people, and, as I recall stating to you, the feeling prevailed very strongly in France when I was there that they had their backs to the wall, facing an antagonist, by whom they might be overwhelmed at any time, and what they needed was help.
Now that this country is aligned with them, an opportunity arises to do a great thing for France. I do not mean simply sending armies and navies to help them fight, nor giving them money for war purposes. The war must be conducted on a business basis and that included financial arrangements, but if our country should make a large appropriation, how large I should not assume to say, but unmistakably a very large one, to be expended for all kinds of relief work, make it a gift to the Nation and as recognition of the fact that after 130 years, opportunity arises to discharge our debt to the French people, it would result in an imperishable friendship, which would be an asset to this country for all time.
Any such plan should be undertaken very promptly and, of course, would need to be done in a tactful way to avoid giving any offense.
It seems to me that here is an opportunity to separate war and sentiment, to bring home to our own people, as well as the French people, that we recognize that they have made the real material and personal sacrifices for democracy, which we have had no opportunity as yet to make, and that the people of this country are glad to take advantage of that inadequate means to help an old friend.
You can understand how irksome it is to be out here literally marooned, when so much is going on and I doubt if I am able to stand it more than a few weeks longer, so I may see you in Washington probably by the early part of June. Meantime, if you and your associates in the government have any influence to promote a plan along the lines of the above suggestions, it will in my opinion be one of the finest things that can be done just now.
With best regards,
Very sincerely yours,
P.S. I am enclosing a letter addressed to Ambassador Page, which I trust can be forwarded to him in the pouch.
PERSONAL.
My dear Phillips:
I suppose in these days you are not only swamped with work, but literally flooded with suggestions, and far be it from me to add to your troubles.
There is, however, one matter which is very much in my mind and I am writing to you about it, prompted by our chat nearly a year ago in regard to conditions in France and England. My visit to France in March, 1916, convinced me that underlying the characteristic politeness and geniality of our French friends, there was a very deep feeling of sentiment in regard to the position which the United States Government had taken in regard to its neutrality. We none of us at home can realize the extent of the awful sacrifices which are being made by the French people, and, as I recall stating to you, the feeling prevailed very strongly in France when I was there that they had their backs to the wall, facing an antagonist, by whom they might be overwhelmed at any time, and what they needed was help.
Now that this country is aligned with them, an opportunity arises to do a great thing for France. I do not mean simply sending armies and navies to help them fight, nor giving them money for war purposes. The war must be conducted on a business basis and that included financial arrangements, but if our country should make a large appropriation, how large I should not assume to say, but unmistakably a very large one, to be expended for all kinds of relief work, make it a gift to the Nation and as recognition of the fact that after 130 years, opportunity arises to discharge our debt to the French people, it would result in an imperishable friendship, which would be an asset to this country for all time.
Any such plan should be undertaken very promptly and, of course, would need to be done in a tactful way to avoid giving any offense.
It seems to me that here is an opportunity to separate war and sentiment, to bring home to our own people, as well as the French people, that we recognize that they have made the real material and personal sacrifices for democracy, which we have had no opportunity as yet to make, and that the people of this country are glad to take advantage of that inadequate means to help an old friend.
You can understand how irksome it is to be out here literally marooned, when so much is going on and I doubt if I am able to stand it more than a few weeks longer, so I may see you in Washington probably by the early part of June. Meantime, if you and your associates in the government have any influence to promote a plan along the lines of the above suggestions, it will in my opinion be one of the finest things that can be done just now.
With best regards,
Very sincerely yours,
P.S. I am enclosing a letter addressed to Ambassador Page, which I trust can be forwarded to him in the pouch.
Original Format
Letter
To
William Phillips
Files
Collection
Citation
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928, “Benjamin Strong Jr. to William Phillips,” 1917 April 6, WWP18552, Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.