Cecil A. Spring Rice to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Cecil A. Spring Rice to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918

Identifier

WWP22148

Date

1917 December 9

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

Dear Mr. President

I have been instructed to send you the enclosed in strict confidence. The sender of the telegram (Rumbold) was in charge of the British Embassy in Servia at the time of the despatch of the Austrian ultimatum.

My father in law who knew the Kaiser very well thought that he probably agreed to the ultimatum to Berlin, and then was sent to the North Sea to keep him out of any peace influences. On his return it was too late to retrace his steps although he certainly shrank at the last moment.

The arrangements with the Bank and Krupps, were the withdrawal of large sums from abroad and of course the supply of the secret guns (the big ones) It was not necessary to inform the Foreign Office lest the diplomats should get wind of what was intended.

I was so glad to have had the great pleasure and privilege of hearing you speak last night.

I remain, with the most profound respect

your obedient servant
Cecil Spring Rice

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0886.pdf

Collection

Citation

Spring Rice, Cecil, Sir, 1859-1918, “Cecil A. Spring Rice to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 December 9, WWP22148, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.