Woodrow Wilson Papers
President Wilson to the Special Representative ( House )
12. With reference to the peace conference will it not be wise and necessary to postpone it until there are governments in Germany and Austria-Hungary which can enter into binding agreements? I feel obliged not to leave before delivering my annual message to the Congress on the second of December. I could leave immediately after that and hope that it will be possible to fix the date of meeting accordingly. Would a preliminary visit to England be wise if I could not visit Italy also beforehand? Nelson Page will tell you how busy the English propagandists are destroying our prestige and building up their own in Italy.
Referring to your number 66,1 our judgment corresponds with yours. Hoover is coming over immediately to discuss the matter and propose our method of handling it.
Referring to your number 512 the plan of secret codes is being worked out between the Departments of State and Navy.
Referring to your number eight,3 please express to the French Prime Minister my deep pleasure and great encouragement. He may rest assured that we will not take advantage of his generous promise unreasonably and I am sure that between us we can serve the world in the noblest way.
Do not think it would be wise to increase delegation to seven. That would involve similar increase in other delegations. Better to make another Republican selection.
- Vol. ii, p. 628.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Post, p. 344.↩