Woodrow Wilson to Colonel House
Title
Woodrow Wilson to Colonel House
Creator
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Identifier
WWP25331
Date
[1918 October 28]
Description
President Wilson tells House that the armistice with Germany should limiting but not be too harsh.
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
CABLEGRAM. I
House, Amembassy, Paris.
My deliberate judgment is that our whole weight should be thrown for an armistice which will prevent a renewal of hostilities by Germany but which will be as moderate and reasonable as possible within those limits, because it is certain that too much success or security on the part of the Allies will make a genuine peace settlement exceedingly difficult if not impossible. The position of Haig and Milner and Petain as reported by our commander-in-chief is therefore safer than Foch’s. See Baker’s despatch of today to commander-in-chief. Foresight is wiser than immediate advantage. Wilson.
House, Amembassy, Paris.
My deliberate judgment is that our whole weight should be thrown for an armistice which will prevent a renewal of hostilities by Germany but which will be as moderate and reasonable as possible within those limits, because it is certain that too much success or security on the part of the Allies will make a genuine peace settlement exceedingly difficult if not impossible. The position of Haig and Milner and Petain as reported by our commander-in-chief is therefore safer than Foch’s. See Baker’s despatch of today to commander-in-chief. Foresight is wiser than immediate advantage. Wilson.
Original Format
Letter
To
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Woodrow Wilson to Colonel House,” [1918 October 28], WWP25331, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.