Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938

Identifier

WWP21258

Date

1917 April 22

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Language

English

Text

Dear Governor

At the suggestion of Sir William Wiseman who, I believe, spoke also for Sir Cecil, I met Balfour as he passed through this morning and had an interesting talk with him.Wiseman was afraid that he might get a wrong viewpoint because of his association with certain people he knows over here whom he was likely to meet before he saw you. I am glad I did so, for some unlucky person thought to have General Wood meet the party yesterday. I told Balfour that unless you advised to the contrary, I thought it would be well to minimize the importance of his visit here to the extent of a denial that it was for the purpose of forming some sort of agreement with the Allies. I find there is a feeling that this country is about to commit itself to a secret alliance with them.
Such men as Lippman and Croly have been to see me, and I could not convince them that the object of the visit of the British and French was not for this purpose.
I hope you will agree with me that the best policy now is to avoid a discussion of peace settlements. Balfour concurs in this. If the Allies begin to discuss terms among themselves, they will soon hate one another worse than they do Germany, and a situation will arise similar to that in the Balkan States after the Turkish War. It seems to me that the only thing to be considered at present is how to beat Germany in the quickest way.
I told Balfour I hoped England would consider that a peace which was best for all the nations of the world would be the one best for England. He accepted this with enthusiasm.
If you have a tacit understanding with him not to discuss peace terms with the other Allies, later, this country and England, will be able to dictate broad and generous terms- terms that will mean permanent peace.Balfour was kind enough to remember all the things I had told him about you and which he knows now are true. I know you will like him and I envy you the pleasure you will have in exchanging views with him.

Affectionately yours,
EM House
115 East 53rd Street,
New York.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WWI0205.pdf

Collection

Citation

House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938, “Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 April 22, WWP21258, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.