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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Frank I. Cobb, Editor in chief, New York World, to Colonel Edward M. House, President, United States Delegation to Armistice Negotiations

Communication Copy.

Cablegram Sent Nov 11th, 1918   Y 8

To   Amnavpar Paris.                        Serial No. 107

Prep. by  C-1 Cobb       Ap’vd. by Night New      D.R.

Rec’d     Coded     Cypher    58-6-F    Disp’chd{Cable Mess.

S E C R E T

107 For Col House. Lord Milner’s1 personal judgement is that President Wilson should come as soon as possible for a preliminary conference, not to discuss peace terms but to devise a means to save internal situation in Europe which he fears is likely to become increasingly grave. Milner thinks that in order to save themselves Allies must first of all save Germany from Anarchy, providing food if necessary and anything else that may be required. He believes the President ought to go directly to Paris thereby keeping clear of the British Election situation, coming to England later.2 He does not think it advisable that the President should participate in the Peace Conference, but regards it as imperative that President be here soon to help stabilize the foundation of Europe, his advice and cooperation being essential. He has not discussed it yet with Prime Minister, and is speaking only for himself. All London is drunk with joy over armistice, signed Cobb. 160411 107.

Sims.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Cobb, a longtime supporter of President Woodrow Wilson, served as a member of the U.S. Press Department staff at the Paris Peace Conference. He enjoyed a close relationship with House and frequently corresponded with him, including offering advice on matters of significance; in particular, he strongly advised against Wilson taking part in the Peace Conference. Wilson Papers, 53:408, 440-441; Intimate Papers of Colonel House, IV: 210-212. Encyclopedia Britannica: “Frank Irving Cobb,” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frank-I-Cobb, accessed 12 December 2018.

Footnote 1: Lord Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner, a member of The British War Cabinet, and Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Lord Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood.

Footnote 2: With the Armistice signed, Britain’s wartime government gave way to election, in which Prime Minister David Lloyd George’s Liberal Party won a landslide victory. Encyclopedia of the First World War: Lloyd George, David.

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