Woodrow Wilson to Edward N. Hurley
Title
Woodrow Wilson to Edward N. Hurley
Creator
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Identifier
WWP25149
Date
1918 August 29
Description
Private note from President Wilson to not upset the English with talk of new US shipping power.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--United States
Shipping--International cooperation
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
CONFIDENTIAL
My dear Hurley:
There is a matter which has been giving me some concern and about which I am sure you will let me write you with perfect frankness.
The English, as I need not tell you, are making a great many determined efforts to see to it not only that they are not put at an economic disadvantage after the war, but that they secure now by as tight arrangements as possible every economic advantage that is within their reach. They are stimulated to do this by their consciousness that our shipbuilding programme will give us a very considerable advantage over them in the carrying trade, and therefore in world commerce, after the struggle is over. I therefore write to suggest that it is wise for us not to talk now or publicly plan now the use we shall make of our shipping after the war, because while it is true, contrary to the English impression, that we do not intend to seek any unfair advantage of any kind or to shoulder anybody out, but merely to give the widest possible currency to our own goods, the impression made by past utterances has been that we, like the English, are planning to dominate everything and to oust everybody we can oust.
It is past hoping for that they should believe us to be fair and square, perhaps, and therefore is it not best to say nothing about it? My object is to give them not even the slightest color of provocation or excuse for what they are doing.
Cordially and faithfully yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Hon. Edward N. Hurley,
Chairman, US Shipping Board
My dear Hurley:
There is a matter which has been giving me some concern and about which I am sure you will let me write you with perfect frankness.
The English, as I need not tell you, are making a great many determined efforts to see to it not only that they are not put at an economic disadvantage after the war, but that they secure now by as tight arrangements as possible every economic advantage that is within their reach. They are stimulated to do this by their consciousness that our shipbuilding programme will give us a very considerable advantage over them in the carrying trade, and therefore in world commerce, after the struggle is over. I therefore write to suggest that it is wise for us not to talk now or publicly plan now the use we shall make of our shipping after the war, because while it is true, contrary to the English impression, that we do not intend to seek any unfair advantage of any kind or to shoulder anybody out, but merely to give the widest possible currency to our own goods, the impression made by past utterances has been that we, like the English, are planning to dominate everything and to oust everybody we can oust.
It is past hoping for that they should believe us to be fair and square, perhaps, and therefore is it not best to say nothing about it? My object is to give them not even the slightest color of provocation or excuse for what they are doing.
Cordially and faithfully yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Hon. Edward N. Hurley,
Chairman, US Shipping Board
Original Format
Letter
To
Hurley, Edward N. (Edward Nash), 1864-1933
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Woodrow Wilson to Edward N. Hurley,” 1918 August 29, WWP25149, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.