Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson

I am glad you were so gracious to Sir William last night. You have made him very happy. It is important that he should be able to say that he has met you because he goes to England in about two weeks. Spring-Rice and Sir William were here Friday and Saturday. Spring-Rice came to discuss his difficulties with Northcliffe. We persuaded him to forget them for the moment and to work harmoniously. The fact that both Northcliffe and Spring-Rice make Sir William their confident is a tribute to his good sense and diplomacy.Sir William is going to England in order to lay the actual situation before his government. There is a party in England determined to get rid of Sir Cecil, and Sir Cecil is aiding them in every way possible.
His first meeting with Northcliffe was at the Embassy where he had invited him to dinner. Strangely enough, he chose this place and occasion to insult him. He had asked Northcliffe to come a few minutes in advance of the other guests, in order that he might express his opinion of him. Northcliffe started to leave before the dinner, and if it had not been for the opportune arrival of the French Ambassador, who was also one of the guests, he would have done so.Sir Cecil has lost confidence in himself, and I believe would go home without much protest provided his government will recall him in a way to save his face. I expressed the hope to Balfour and Drummond that they would pin some badges on Sir Cecil and they promised to do so. A peerage and a good part of the alphabet after his name is contemplated.Drummond would like to succeed him. Northcliffe says he (N) was offered the place and refused it. Drummond would be an acceptable man, but he is needed in the Foreign Office and should be given Hardinge's place who is now Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Sir William is and has been the real Ambassador over here for sometime. However, I suppose his youth would prevent consideration of his name.Northcliffe is coming up the latter part of next week. We are all working to keep him from doing the things we expected. Up to now, he has been willing to be guided. He is finding his duties irksome, and it is thought that he will feel he is needed at home before long. Magnolia, Massachusetts.June 27, 1917.