File No. 763.72/7982
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4.58 p.m.]
The President’s address to Congress3 has been received here by the whole press and public with the most enthusiastic approval and [Page 455] satisfaction; except the President’s speech which brought us into the war, it is regarded as his most important utterance. Considerable satisfaction is felt at his forecast of the possibility in certain circumstances of Germany’s exclusion from the free economic intercourse which must inevitably spring out of the partnership of a real peace; concerning this point I sent with my despatch No. 7615 of December 31 a more important memorandum which please transmit to the President as soon as received.
There is also much gratification at his recommendation of war against Austria and some minor regret is expressed that he did not mention also Bulgaria and Turkey.
The whole effect of the speech is greatly to cheer up and hearten the British and to put the President still more clearly, if that were possible, as the preeminent leader in the war.
- Foreign Relations, 1917, pp. ix–xvi.↩
- Not printed.↩