Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928
Identifier
WWP25233
Date
1918 October 5
Description
Secretary of State asks for President Wilson's views on the Sisson Papers.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Trotsky, Leon, 1879-1940
Lenin, Vladimir Ilʹich, 1870-1924
Balfour, Arthur James, 1848-1930
Contributor
Morgan Willer
Relation
WWP25234
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
I enclose a memorandum which contains a message from Mr. Balfour, repeated by Sir William Wiseman on the 4th to Mr. Auchincloss, in relation to the Sisson papers regarding Lenine and Trotsky which were published three or four weeks ago here and which the British Government prevented from publication in Great Britain.
In view of the fact that publication in Great Britain so long after the documents were given to the press in this country would be of no particular benefit, and, furthermore, as the whole subject has no longer public interest or comment more than a discussion as to the genuineness of the documents, I would suggest that we advise the British Government that since there has been so much delay in publishing them it would seem unwise now to do so. I am sure that this course would avoid further embarrassment and explanation.
Will you be good enough to indicate to me your wishes in the matter in order that I may reply to Mr. Balfour through Sir William?
Faithfully yours,
Robert Lansing
Enclosure:
I enclose a memorandum which contains a message from Mr. Balfour, repeated by Sir William Wiseman on the 4th to Mr. Auchincloss, in relation to the Sisson papers regarding Lenine and Trotsky which were published three or four weeks ago here and which the British Government prevented from publication in Great Britain.
In view of the fact that publication in Great Britain so long after the documents were given to the press in this country would be of no particular benefit, and, furthermore, as the whole subject has no longer public interest or comment more than a discussion as to the genuineness of the documents, I would suggest that we advise the British Government that since there has been so much delay in publishing them it would seem unwise now to do so. I am sure that this course would avoid further embarrassment and explanation.
Will you be good enough to indicate to me your wishes in the matter in order that I may reply to Mr. Balfour through Sir William?
Faithfully yours,
Robert Lansing
Enclosure:
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928, “Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 5, WWP25233, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.