British Plan to Delay Peace
Title
British Plan to Delay Peace
Creator
Cobb, Frank Irving, 1869-1923
Identifier
WWP25032
Date
No date
Description
Frank Cobb warns Colonel House about British efforts to retard the peace process.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920)
World War, 1914-1918--Peace
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Language
English
Text
F. I. Cobb -
MEMORANDUM
The British plan to retard the peace negotiations and delay as long as possible the signing of a treaty of peace, seems to be dictated wholly by trade considerations.
The chief reasons Lloyd George gave me for wishing to put off the peace conference were (1) the great work of preparation which would not be finished for many weeks and (2) the desirability of waiting to see what kind of a government was established in Germany and whether it could be regarded as a responsible government.
The real reason, however, seems to be commercial. As long as the armistice remains in force the blockade of the German ports continues. While this blockade lasts, German manufacturers cannot obtain raw material and without raw material there can be no resumption of German industry. While the armistice is in force and the blockade continues, British trade can have a free hand in taking over the foreign markets that the Germans once controlled. The moment peace is signed the German competition must be met again.
Hence the British desire to retain the armistice and the blockade as long as possible and postpone a formal peace.
To EM House
From FIC
Paris
MEMORANDUM
The British plan to retard the peace negotiations and delay as long as possible the signing of a treaty of peace, seems to be dictated wholly by trade considerations.
The chief reasons Lloyd George gave me for wishing to put off the peace conference were (1) the great work of preparation which would not be finished for many weeks and (2) the desirability of waiting to see what kind of a government was established in Germany and whether it could be regarded as a responsible government.
The real reason, however, seems to be commercial. As long as the armistice remains in force the blockade of the German ports continues. While this blockade lasts, German manufacturers cannot obtain raw material and without raw material there can be no resumption of German industry. While the armistice is in force and the blockade continues, British trade can have a free hand in taking over the foreign markets that the Germans once controlled. The moment peace is signed the German competition must be met again.
Hence the British desire to retain the armistice and the blockade as long as possible and postpone a formal peace.
To EM House
From FIC
Paris
Original Format
Memorandum
To
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Cobb, Frank Irving, 1869-1923, “British Plan to Delay Peace,” No date, WWP25032, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.