Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938
Identifier
WWP25479
Date
1918 November 16
Description
President Wilson's shorthand transcription of cable about when to go to France from Colonel House as translated by Ray Stannard Baker.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920)
World War, 1914-1918--United States
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
{Transcription made under direction of RS Baker. WW’s shorthand notes are incomplete his gaps in text being represented by ---}
From House #15
In reply to your number … my judgment is that you should sail for France Dec. 3 and determine upon your arrival what part it is wise for you to take in the proceeding of the peace conference. As commander in chief of the armed forces you have to immediately guarantee ---- coming in order to solve --- important questions connected with their return home. This can only be done here intelligently. When here (would father abstain from) ----the situation principally. It is impossible to do so from Washington through cables from me. As far as I can see all the Powers are trying --- work with us rather than with one another. Their disagreements are sharp and constant. There is a tendency to delay not only the preliminary conferences but the final one. This I think is unfortunate. The sooner you will authorize to make announcement your purpose of sailing --- the better.
From House #15
In reply to your number … my judgment is that you should sail for France Dec. 3 and determine upon your arrival what part it is wise for you to take in the proceeding of the peace conference. As commander in chief of the armed forces you have to immediately guarantee ---- coming in order to solve --- important questions connected with their return home. This can only be done here intelligently. When here (would father abstain from) ----the situation principally. It is impossible to do so from Washington through cables from me. As far as I can see all the Powers are trying --- work with us rather than with one another. Their disagreements are sharp and constant. There is a tendency to delay not only the preliminary conferences but the final one. This I think is unfortunate. The sooner you will authorize to make announcement your purpose of sailing --- the better.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Collection
Citation
House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938, “Colonel House to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 November 16, WWP25479, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.