033.1140/252: Telegram

The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State

150. Secret for the President and Secretary of State. Referring further to our number 135.17 Auchincloss visited today the house placed at the President’s disposal by the French Government. This house is number 28 Rue de Monceau, a couple of blocks above the Boulevard Hausmann and in one of the highest parts of the city. The house, however, is not far from the street, in the center of spacious grounds, which are surrounded by a high wall. The interior of the house is beautifully furnished and is in first-class repair. On the ground floor there are the following rooms: A. Large dining room capable of seating 35 persons; B, large ballroom or salon; C, three medium-sized drawing rooms. On the second floor there are the following rooms: A, small suite of two rooms; B, small study or library; C, large study or writing-room, which could be used as the President’s workroom; D, bedroom and drawing room and bath which could be used by the President; E, connecting suite of three rooms, bedroom, boudoir and sitting room which could be used by Mrs. Wilson; F, medium-size breakfast or dining room. On the third floor there are seven bedrooms and four sitting rooms, all of which are attractively furnished. There is a private garage on the grounds. I am taking steps to have proper telephonic and wire connections installed in a manner, as near as possible, similar to that at present existing in the White House. All in all I believe the house placed at the President’s disposal by the French Government is as attractive a residence as there is in Paris, and I have informally advised the Foreign Office that I felt sure the President would be altogether pleased with the arrangements made in his behalf. If there are any particular points that you wish me to attend to with respect to these accommodations, I trust that you will communicate them to me in the near future. The Foreign Office have asked me not to make public the arrangements they are making for the present.

Edward House
  1. Ante, p. 138.