763.72/13378½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Such a message as this from General Pershing surprises me very much. It is the first time he has undertaken to give advice, political as well as military, in this way.
[Page 144]I am clear that it would be out of the question for me to urge, without the (at least intimated) concurrence of the Supreme Military Council, such action in all the military theatres of the war; and it is equally clear to me that events, not any suggestions from us, will determine the action of Bulgaria and Turkey. You know the advances that have been made to us from Bulgaria and Turkey and how imprudent and unwise it would be for us to use the only channels that are open!
Baker, as you know, is now on the water, on his way to the other side, and Pershing will have an opportunity to confer with him about the whole matter. Baker special commission is to have every question about the actual conduct of the war and its effective pressure to an early conclusion that can be answered now, and with the utmost possible definiteness.
Faithfully Yours,