Harry S. Knapp to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Harry S. Knapp to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Knapp, Harry Shepard, 1856-1923
Identifier
WWP16140
Date
1919 January 1
Description
Admiral HS Knapp sends two envelopes to Cary T. Grayson to forward to the President, one containing a report on a possible blockade of Germany.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My dear Admiral
With this go two other envelopes: one addressed to you with some matters of interest that you may or may not think it wise to speak about or show to the President; the other addressed to the President himself that is of enough importance so that I shall be glad of your good offices to have it surely read by him—throughout. It refers to blockade if one is established as a consequence of the Germans refusing to sign the treaty. As neutrals, our attitude toward the British enforcement of blockade was one of distinct criticism and disagreement in certain particulars. So far as I know we didn’t participate in the blockade—actively—after we came into the war. Policy isn’t established by naval officers, but they must know what the policy is under which they work, and I haven’t felt it outside my province to bring a part of the contents of my letter to the President’s attention, because the matter of policy enters into any decision he may make. I hesitate very much to send him such a long screed, but I hope he will appreciate that I only do it because I deem the matter of importance.
Very sincerely,
HS Knapp.
With this go two other envelopes: one addressed to you with some matters of interest that you may or may not think it wise to speak about or show to the President; the other addressed to the President himself that is of enough importance so that I shall be glad of your good offices to have it surely read by him—throughout. It refers to blockade if one is established as a consequence of the Germans refusing to sign the treaty. As neutrals, our attitude toward the British enforcement of blockade was one of distinct criticism and disagreement in certain particulars. So far as I know we didn’t participate in the blockade—actively—after we came into the war. Policy isn’t established by naval officers, but they must know what the policy is under which they work, and I haven’t felt it outside my province to bring a part of the contents of my letter to the President’s attention, because the matter of policy enters into any decision he may make. I hesitate very much to send him such a long screed, but I hope he will appreciate that I only do it because I deem the matter of importance.
Very sincerely,
HS Knapp.
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Knapp, Harry Shepard, 1856-1923, “Harry S. Knapp to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 January 1, WWP16140, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.