William W. Keen to Woodrow Wilson
Title
William W. Keen to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Keen, William W. (William Williams), 1837-1932
Identifier
WWP25255
Date
1918 October 13
Description
Prominent surgeon asks President Wilson not to offer armistice to Germany.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Armistices
World War, 1914-1918--Peace
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
1729 Chestnut Sq.
Philada.
My dear Mr. President
Forgive me if I implore you not even to consider an Armistice.
That would mean that their army, now in peril but only half beaten, would be safely extricated, instead of being destroyed or captured.
Germany then would win by stoutly refusing to accept our detailed terms, for fighting would never be resumed after an Armistice.
We shall surely be embroiled with our Allies unless we insist on unconditional surrender. What a farce it is, to ask for peace and at the same moment to murder our own soldiers by renewed submarine atrocities; to destroy French cities as they retreat; & to deport every living human being!
As you wisely said “there can be no peace obtained by any kind of bargain or compromise with the Governments of the Central Empires. x x They are without honor & do not intend justice. They observe no covenants xxx We cannot come to terms with them.”
Unconditional surrender followed by terms dictated on German soil are the only possible basis for durable peace.
With Earnest prayers to God to guide you aright I am
Most respectfully Yours
W.W. Keen
P.S. Literally Everybody I have met in the last few days are in earnest accord with these view.
Philada.
My dear Mr. President
Forgive me if I implore you not even to consider an Armistice.
That would mean that their army, now in peril but only half beaten, would be safely extricated, instead of being destroyed or captured.
Germany then would win by stoutly refusing to accept our detailed terms, for fighting would never be resumed after an Armistice.
We shall surely be embroiled with our Allies unless we insist on unconditional surrender. What a farce it is, to ask for peace and at the same moment to murder our own soldiers by renewed submarine atrocities; to destroy French cities as they retreat; & to deport every living human being!
As you wisely said “there can be no peace obtained by any kind of bargain or compromise with the Governments of the Central Empires. x x They are without honor & do not intend justice. They observe no covenants xxx We cannot come to terms with them.”
Unconditional surrender followed by terms dictated on German soil are the only possible basis for durable peace.
With Earnest prayers to God to guide you aright I am
Most respectfully Yours
W.W. Keen
P.S. Literally Everybody I have met in the last few days are in earnest accord with these view.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Collection
Citation
Keen, William W. (William Williams), 1837-1932, “William W. Keen to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 13, WWP25255, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.