Lot 462
Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924) 28th President of the United States. Superb content typed letter signed, on his personal letterhead, 1p, 9½ x 7 in., Washington, 25 April 1921. To Hamilton Holt (1872-1951), editor and publisher of the liberal weekly The Independent and a founder of the NAACP, responding to a letter from Holt in which he stated that in light of French General Ferdinand Foch having been de facto supreme commander of Allied forces during World War I, Congress should consider offering him, upon his visit to the U.S., a pension or other gift, as it had done with Lafayette 150 years earlier.
Wilson responds angrily: "…I was entirely disillusioned about him while I was in France. He proved himself in the Peace negotiations the most difficult obstacle to a peaceful settlement…. he is the leader of the militaristic and imperialistic elements in France which are bent upon reversing the Alsace-Lorraine business in the Ruhr District. For the moment they are the worst enemies of the peace of the world. Personally I could not receive Marshall Foch…." Very good; light toning and wear. Wilson's bold but tremulous signature is a result of the stroke he suffered in 1919. Accompanied by a carbon copy of Holt's reply to Wilson's letter and a 1931 autograph letter signed by Holt, giving Wilson's letter to a Mrs. Johnson and explaining the circumstances surrounding it.
When Foch visited the U.S., Wilson did indeed decline a visit, citing his poor health. During the negotiation of the Treaty of Versailles, the French, largely represented by Clemeançeau and Foch, took a hard stance. They demanded the return of the Alsace-Lorraine region to France, the complete demilitarization of the Ruhr, and enormous war reparations, among other concessions. Wilson strongly objected and the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty with which Wilson was forced to return, effectively hamstringing the nascent League of Nations envisioned by Wilson. As for Foch, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed, he said: "This is not peace. It is an armistice for 20 years." And, of course, it was.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
