Key Pittman to Woodrow Wilson

I know that you will understand my purpose in writing this letter and not do me the injustice to imagine even for a moment that I assume to offer my poor opinions in the nature of suggestions.As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, I am about to be called upon to participate in the initiation of the most momentous events and in the primary determination of policies that must forever affect the existence of our government.May I say in beginning that my admiration for your judgment, statesmanship and patriotism is beyond expression, and my loyalty to you and the policies you have inaugurated and sustained is, I believe, unquestioned, yet in this most grave situation which now confronts us, while I will endeavor to be guided by the same statesmanship, I realize that in the end I must act in accordance with the dictates of my own judgment and conscience.Permit me to say that I am happy that I have always found myself in perfect accord with your European policy, and I have no reason to doubt that I will find it just as easy and agreeable to support your future plans and policies without deviation and with the same enthusiasm.Germany is now carrying on war against our people and our country will soon be at war with Germany. I favored keeping out of war as long as possible, and I now favor terminating it as soon as possible. I believed in the utmost patience, I now believe in the utmost energy. If it is decreed that we must lose thousands of our lioved ones and expend billions of dollars in defense of democracy and the lives and the freedom of our people, I would rather that it be done with all humane speed than that it be continued through long years of drawn-out misery.There is no doubt that preparation for war has frequently prevented war, and at this time, in my opinion, a fearful and astounding preparation may convince our enemies of our power and determination and of the futility of continuing the fight. I believe that a weak demonstration and an attitude of hesitancy at this time would be fatal to our prestige and disasterous to our hopes for an early peace. If the government may be compelled to spend several billions of dollars before the war is over, then let the full amount of such authorization be made at once. Let there be no doubt from the start that the government will be supported with all of the vast resources of the richest country in the world.I am opposed to giving money to France. I would favor a loan to her without security and without interest. I believe that such course is more in keeping with the dignity of two great nations. I trust that in committee I may have the opportunity to vote for a resolution presented by a member of our party embodying such plans, but I deem it my duty to tell you that I feel inclined to vote for such plans no matter by whom presented or whether in committee or upon the floor of the Senate.

Very sincerely yours,

The President
The White House.