Diplomats -- United States -- Biography; Morgenthau, Henry, 1856-1946; United States -- Foreign relations -- 20th century
A few days later, I sailed for America to make my report to President
Wilson. It was my intention, upon my arrival in New York, to make this
report in the form of a letter, and with this idea in mind, while still
aboard ship, I wrote several drafts of it by hand, and in New York
dictated a letter in final form to the President under date of September
15, 1917. I finally decided, however, that a verbal report was better,
and consequently, I proceeded to Washington, and on September 19th,
called on the President. I gave him at considerable length the
information I had gathered. As our conversation, however, was simply a
verbal enlargement of my letter of the 15th, I will quote that letter
here. It is, I think, of some historical importance:
September 15, 1917.
MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:
After close observations, visiting fronts, conversations with
members of the French Cabinet, Generals and others, both French and
British, I have arrived at the following conclusions, which I
submit for your consideration, and expect to elaborate upon, when
you grant me an interview. Among the men I have talked with are
Generals Sir Douglas Haig, Sir Arthur Currie, Joffre, Pershing,
Sibert, Biddle, and others, and also Messieurs Painlevé, Ribot,
Cambon, and Steeg of the Cabinet.
No separate peace can be made at present with the Turks as they
still think that the Germans will be victorious, and because many
of the members of the Union and Progress Committee are enriching
themselves through the continuation of this war.
The Turkish atrocities perpetrated against Armenians, Syrians, and
Arabs establish beyond doubt that the Turks should no longer be
permitted to govern non-Moslems and non-Turks of any description.
The British and French successes at Verdun, Ypres, and Lens have
reduced the German unused Reserve Divisions from forty-four in
April to five in August, and have demonstrated that the German
positions are not, as has long been believed in the United States,
impregnable. The British and French are now confident of final
victory, depending, however, on the coöperation of the United
States Army.
For moral and political effect, they deem it highly desirable that
more American troops, though unprepared, be sent immediately.
The German autocracy with its strong leadership and blind following
of its allies will never yield until German military prestige has
been destroyed.
A test of strength will have to take place on the Western Front.
Victory will be won as much through the steady hand and intrepid
determination of the leader that will direct the united allied
forces as by the physical resources that will be employed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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