812.00/15630½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am very glad of this, and write to ask whether you think it would be best for me to be in Washington at that time or to wait until the deliberations and actions of this group seem to be approaching a point where they can offer practical advice. I should like to do what will best assist psychologically as well as practically.

I think that it will be wise to announce at once the approach of this conference and its objects, in general terms, not too fully disclosing what we wish to leave a little vague, viz. just what we expect the procedure and the action of the U. S. towards what the conference advises to be.

Faithfully Yours,

W. W.