860c.01/85½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I think I see this situation as a whole, and of course I am disposed to help in every way possible, but I do not feel at liberty to pledge thirty thousand dollars a month indefinitely. Would the Committee think it fair if I were to limit the pledge to (say) six months, pending developments?
And,—another question,—is it not likely that the portion to [the] British Government is to pay would in fact be drawn from our Treasury, by loan? I feel obliged to think of the financial burdens piling up on us.
Faithfully Yours,