Newton D. Baker to General Pershing
Title
Newton D. Baker to General Pershing
Creator
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-193
Identifier
WWP25328
Date
1918 October 27
Description
President Wilson's responses to a draft of the proposed armistice.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
World War, 1914-1918--Armistices
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25327
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Cablegram for General Pershing
Replying to your cablegram from London, October twenty-six, the President directs me to say that he is relying upon your counsel and advice in this matter, and in making the following comments he will be glad to have you feel entirely free to bring to his attention any consideration he may have overlooked which in your judgment ought to be weighed before settling finally his views.
In general, the President approves of your Number One, in subparagraph, but suggests wisdom of retention of at least part of German heavy guns in pledge, and specific enumeration of territory to be evacuated other than France and Belgium. This has to do especially with territory to the east and southeast, but should not Luxemburg be also included?
With regard to your Second in sub-paragraph, the President raises the question as to whether it is necessary for Allied or American Army actually to occupy Alsace and Lorraine when evacuated under armistice.
With regard to your Third in sub-paragraph, the President doubts advisability of requiring Allied or American occupation on eastern side of the Rhine, as that is practically an invasion of German soil under armistice.
The President concurs in your Fourth in sub-paragraph.
With regard to your Fifth in sub-paragraph, the President assumes this to mean repatriation of troops now in German army which have been recruited from non-German soil occupied by Germans. In this sense he approves.
With regard to your Sixth, the President believes it would be enough to require internment of U-boats in neutral waters, and a further pledge and also to further unrestricted transportation of American army and material referred to in your Fourth, but does not think terms of armistice should suggest ultimate disposition of such U-boats, nor that U-boat bases should be occupied under armistice, as that would mean Allied or American occupation of German soil not now in their possession.
Your Seventh in sub-paragraph, the President approves.
In general, the President feels the terms of the armistice should be rigid enough to secure us against renewal of hostilities by Germany but not humiliating beyond that necessity, as such terms would throw the advantage to the military party in Germany.
The President would be glad to have you confer with Colonel House, who is now in France, showing him copy of your dispatch and this answer, and generally discussing with him all phases of this subject.
Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War.
Replying to your cablegram from London, October twenty-six, the President directs me to say that he is relying upon your counsel and advice in this matter, and in making the following comments he will be glad to have you feel entirely free to bring to his attention any consideration he may have overlooked which in your judgment ought to be weighed before settling finally his views.
In general, the President approves of your Number One, in subparagraph, but suggests wisdom of retention of at least part of German heavy guns in pledge, and specific enumeration of territory to be evacuated other than France and Belgium. This has to do especially with territory to the east and southeast, but should not Luxemburg be also included?
With regard to your Second in sub-paragraph, the President raises the question as to whether it is necessary for Allied or American Army actually to occupy Alsace and Lorraine when evacuated under armistice.
With regard to your Third in sub-paragraph, the President doubts advisability of requiring Allied or American occupation on eastern side of the Rhine, as that is practically an invasion of German soil under armistice.
The President concurs in your Fourth in sub-paragraph.
With regard to your Fifth in sub-paragraph, the President assumes this to mean repatriation of troops now in German army which have been recruited from non-German soil occupied by Germans. In this sense he approves.
With regard to your Sixth, the President believes it would be enough to require internment of U-boats in neutral waters, and a further pledge and also to further unrestricted transportation of American army and material referred to in your Fourth, but does not think terms of armistice should suggest ultimate disposition of such U-boats, nor that U-boat bases should be occupied under armistice, as that would mean Allied or American occupation of German soil not now in their possession.
Your Seventh in sub-paragraph, the President approves.
In general, the President feels the terms of the armistice should be rigid enough to secure us against renewal of hostilities by Germany but not humiliating beyond that necessity, as such terms would throw the advantage to the military party in Germany.
The President would be glad to have you confer with Colonel House, who is now in France, showing him copy of your dispatch and this answer, and generally discussing with him all phases of this subject.
Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War.
Original Format
Letter
To
Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948
Files
Collection
Citation
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-193, “Newton D. Baker to General Pershing,” 1918 October 27, WWP25328, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.