Word: wilson
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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THESE two volumes of the papers of Colonel House surpass in interest and importance even the published in 1926. With the entry of the United States into the War the Colonel became the channel of unofficial communication between the governments of the associated powers and President Wilson. By a private telephone connecting the State Department with his study in New York or Magnolia, Colonel House communicated suggestions and advice to President and Cabinet. To him rather than to the accredited diplomats turned Allied statesmen who wished Wilson's ear. "Balfour, speaking for the British Government, could get an answer from...
...peace these absorbing volumes throw fresh light. The tactful Texan organized The Inquiry, headed the first American War Mission, sat on the Supreme War Council with the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, France and Italy, and served on the American Peace Commission. In the drafting of many of Wilson's great addresses he was consulted. The cautious student, however, will await the further publication of Wilson's papers before seeking to evaluate thte Colonel's influence. No fresh light is thrown on their separation, which remains to Colonel House "a tragic mystery . . . that now can never be dispelled...
...Wilson-"intellectually entirely democratic . . . unfortunate, for the reason that his mind led him where his taste rebelled...
...general public. The publication of the first two volumes of his papers, indicating as they did his tremendous importance as adviser and negotiator, was therefore a surprise to the uninitiated, a gripe to the prejudiced. They accused House of taking too much credit to himself, thereby belittling Wilson. But if he takes co-credit, on the face of it he takes co-blame for the numerous mistakes that go up to make that tragedy of errors...
Somewhat over-conscious of the earlier criticism, the present volumes are at pains to re-establish the (indubitably) important part House played, and also to emphasize House's deep admiration for Wilson's genius, even after their close friendship had waned. Above all, the papers are invaluable as historical source material, ranking with Ambassador Page's Letters, and the Wilson papers Ray Stannard Baker is editing. Selected, arranged, and linked by Professor Seymour's lucid comment, the Intimate Papers are intensely interesting, indispensable to any adequate understanding of War burdens, post-War intrigues...