File No. 861.48/157a-e
The President of the United States to the Sovereigns of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, and Russia, and the President of France
Your Majesty:2 In view of the overwhelming disasters which have befallen the millions of non-combatant inhabitants of Poland, I feel justified by the universal and earnest expression of the sympathies of the American people, regardless of racial origin or political [Page 904] sentiments, to suggest to Your Majesty that the subject of ways and means for the saving of those of these people who still survive be given the further benevolent consideration of Your Majesty’s Government. While no one can fail to appreciate the sufferings and sacrifices of the peoples primarily engaged in the existing war, nor the difficulties in the way of alleviating the hardships of those who are the incidental sufferers from the war, the death by slow or rapid starvation of millions of innocent people is so awful a fact that such an outcome should be averted if it is within the compass of human effort to avert it. In the effort to avert it I confidently pledge the cooperation of the people of the United States, if only the way can be found to make their cooperation effective. May I therefore be permitted to suggest that an entirely fresh consideration be given to the possibility and method of relief for Poland, and to tender the friendly offices of this Government in negotiations to this end; it being understood that any plan proposed shall be of such a character as to be adapted to the accomplishment of no other result than that of the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Poland?
In conclusion I can only add that it is my sincere hope that Your Majesty will see in this note no intention to interfere with the rights and policies of Your Majesty’s Government, but merely the attempt to express to Your Majesty the sympathy and compassion towards the starving inhabitants of Poland felt by the citizens of the United States—a sympathy and compassion which they do not desire shall be evidenced merely by idle words, but which they hope they may be permitted to express by assisting in the actual work of furnishing food to the starving inhabitants of Poland.
I have the honor to be, Your Majesty,
Faithfully yours,
- Sent to the Ambassadors by pouch for transmission, and also by telegraph, on July 21, for preliminary communication.↩
- This form of address was generally questioned by the Embassies. In reply to a query from the Ambassador in Great Britain, the Third Assistant Secretary of State telegraphed, on July 24, 1916: “Letter is purely personal in character, sealed with President’s personal seal. Formal and more usual superscription ‘Great and Good Friend’ purposely omitted.” (File No. 861.48/165.) The President, of France was addressed: “Your Excellency.”↩