File No. 763.72/5896
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
5177. Your 6767, July 18.1 Your suggestion submitted to the President and he feels presence of Admiral Sims and General Pershing, even as visitors, could be misconstrued. All necessary naval and military information can be obtained after the conference. I find this is also the opinion of the War Department.
For your confidential information the President unwilling to be represented by conference of all powers engaged in the war, as we are not at war with Austria, Bulgaria or Turkey. Attendance at the conference also might give the impression to this country that this Government was discussing not only the conduct of the campaign, but the ultimate purposes having to do with peace terms.