Woodrow Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Another week has gone by, and, alas! has brought a new evidence of the critical difficulties that are in our way in keeping this country out of the war. The case of the Arabic seems to me a way worse than that of the Lusitania because none of the excuses they alleged in her case seem to have been present in this. I fear that we shall have to take some very decided step, probably the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany. I am waiting the full facts before making up my mind, of course.

One of the things that distresses me about the matter is, that it will very likely keep me in Washington. I had planned to be in Cornish next Saturday. I had set my heart on it. And now it is doubtful when, if at all, I can get away. I know that you will understand, but that does not make it any less of a real and great disappointment.

The enclosed is an extract from a letter from Edith, and is so sweet an indication of her feeling that I thought she would not mind my sending it just as she wrote it, for you and Margaret to read. Will you not send it to Nellie the next time you send her a letter? I know now that Edith never says a word of this kind that she does not mean down to the bottom of her heart.

I think of you all constantly, my darling leittle daughter. I hope that, if Frank is really teething the poor little chap will be relieved presently by the teeth coming through. Are there any further or clearer indications? Frank, Sr., will be back, –when?Please tell dear Margaret how I loved her letter to me. It brought me some very happy thoughts.

Give my dearest love to Sister Annie, little Annie, Josephine, and to my precious Margaret. You are all very much in my heart.

I am well, – chiefly, I think, because I am so generously loved.