Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 256
image_0 image_1 image_2
Pres. Wilson DS re: WWI food relief, includes reference to Hoover
Pres. Wilson DS re: WWI food relief, includes reference to Hoover
image_0 image_1 image_2
Description:

Wilson Woodrow 1856 - 1924 Superb President Woodrow Wilson signed document regarding WWI food relief, includes reference to Hoover.

Single page annotated draft cable, 8.5" x 13" sent to Newton Baker, Secretary of War. Dated "22 March 1919", prepared by Herbert Hoover, with endorsements in pencil by Col. E.M. House and holographic interlineations and signature by President Woodrow Wilson. Signed by Wilson using his initials as "WW". Lightly toned with chipping along lower edge, not affecting text, with paper clip indents.

A fantastic cable draft, addressing the dire food situation in Europe in 1919, post WWI and the Russian Revolution:

"A review of the food situation in Europe shows that it is essential that transportation asked for my Hoover for April loading shall be furnished without fail. The human, political and military issues that revolve upon any failure of delivery of this program are incalculable ... "

President Wilson further annotated: "the shipping Bd shall find the tonnage necessary and am confident that they may count upon the fullest War Department to share the burden to the point of sacrificing all but the most absolute necessary services".

However it is acknowledged that although Britain would fully participate in this endeavor as well that in the interim the Country was overwhelmed and as such the U.S. needed to step in:

"While it is probable that British Government has considerable duty in this direction, there seems little hope of their being able to undertake any service by April loading of ships and therefore we must take no risks and carry the burden for that month ..."

This phenomenal letter was also endorsed by Col. E.M. House in his own hand: "If I were you I would authorize this / EMH", which he wrote along the bottom of the cable. This note appears meant for President Wilson, who placed his initials alongside the endorsement.

Cabled just months after the end of WWI, the draft alluded to Herbert Hoover's implementation of the U. S. Food Administration, established in 1917. World War I was one of the most devastating events in human history. Homes and farm land throughout war-torn Europe was annihilated, millions were killed, and vital resources were left scarce. The United States was in a different position than most of Europe; it entered the war late and was removed from the battlefield. America's food production industry was not affected by the gunfire, landmines, and trenches of Europe. American farms and factories were on safe ground and could still produce. America's civilians had easy access to food while European civilians were victims of starvation. This is where America had a chance to be more than just an ally to the war effort; this was its chance to save millions of people. To combat starvation in Europe, the United States Food Administration was established as part of Executive Order 2679-A of the Congressional Lever Act introduced by President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924). This was one of the most efficient and successful governmental initiatives in American history. The total amount of food delivered to Europe during the war and reconstruction period, was 33,841,307 pounds, equaling $5,234,028,208.56.

Prior to his appointment as head of the Food Administration, Hoover was an applauded humanitarian for his relief work. He fought for the job and convinced President Wilson that the organization would be more efficient with a singular "authoritative administrator." In order to give himself "moral authority" to rally support for the cause of food conservation and voluntary service, Hoover took no salary. He later wrote in his memoirs that he hoped the American people would "go back to simple food, simple clothes, [and] simple pleasures. Pray hard, work hard, sleep hard, and play hard. Do it all courageously and cheerfully."

This cable was to include as a recipient, the then Secretary of War, Newton Baker, whose legacy was described so aptly by an historian as a "civilian's civilian", who saw the military as a necessity, but he had no awe of people in uniform, no romantic feelings toward them, and no dreams of glory....

Baker presided over the American military participation in the World War I in 1917 and 1918. At Baker's insistence, Wilson made the American forces an independent fighting partner of the Allies against the Central Powers, rather than letting American troops be used to replenish British and French forces as those nations advised. He was occasionally attacked by military professionals who thought him incompetent or a pacifist at heart. He said, "I'm so much of a pacifist, I'm willing to fight for it."

He will be forever remembered for his speech at the 1924 Democratic National Convention. He delivered a speech that was the highlight of the convention, "political oratory at its peak", according to an exhaustive account of the convention: "According to reporters, men and women everywhere burst into tears. It was a tour de force, emotional and bordering on hysteria." He drew upon memories of Wilson, who had died just five months earlier. and pleaded for a return to Wilsonian idealism:

"On fields of Europe I closed the eyes of soldiers in American uniforms who were dying...and oh, they were so superb and splendid: never a complaint; never a regret; willing to go if only two things might be: One, that mother might know that they died bravely, and the other, that somebody would pick up their sacrifice and build on earth a permanent temple of peace....

And I swore an obligation to the dead that in season and out, by day and by night, in church, in political meeting, in the market-place, I intended to lift up my voice always and ever until their sacrifice were really perfected....

I served Woodrow Wilson for five years. He is standing at the throne of God whose approval he won and has received. As he looks down from there I say to him: "I did my best. I am doing it now. You are still the captain of my soul. I feel your spirit here palpably about me." He is standing here, through my weak voice, his presence not that crippled, shrunken, broken figure that I last saw, but the great majestic leader is standing here, using me to say to you, "Save mankind, do America's duty."

A suburb and important piece, involving the confluence of individuals, from an era of immense humanitarian effort.

As the United States considered whether to enter World War I, President Woodrow Wilson named Baker Secretary of War, because Baker was acceptable to advocates and opponents of American participation in the conflict. The post also required legal expertise because of the War Department's role in administering the Philippines, the Panama Canal, and Puerto Rico. The New York Times called him a "warm supporter" of the President. At 44, he was the youngest member of the Cabinet.[5]

One historian described his relationship to the military:[11]

A civilian's civilian, Baker saw the military as a necessity, but he had no awe of people in uniform, no romantic feelings toward them, and no dreams of glory.... On the day President Woodrow Wilson announced Baker's appointment as secretary of war, he admitted his ignorance of military matters. "I am an innocent," he told reporters, "I do not know anything about this job." But he had a sharp, analytical mind and considerable skill at administration.

As Secretary of War, Baker presided over the American military participation in the World War I in 1917 and 1918, including the creation of a nationwide military draft. Baker selected Gen. John J. Pershing to head the American Expeditionary Forces. At Baker's insistence, Wilson made the American forces an independent fighting partner of the Allies against the Central Powers, rather than letting American troops be used to replenish British and French forces as those nations advised. At one meeting with British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, Baker told him that "if we want advice as to who should command our armies, we would ask for it. But until then we do not want nor need it from anyone, least of all you."

He was occasionally attacked by military professionals who thought him incompetent or a pacifist at heart. He said, "I'm so much of a pacifist, I'm willing to fight for it."

In 1922, the Encyclopædia Britannica published a brief account of Baker's life that drew sharp criticism. It said, in part, "The charge of pacifism was often brought against him and his career generally as Secretary was widely condemned throughout the United States." Among the prominent names who called the Encyclopedia to account were Livingston Farrand of Cornell and Ernest M. Hopkins of Dartmouth.[13]

At the 1924 Democratic National Convention, during discussion of the party platform, Baker was the principal advocate of language committing the party to American membership in the League of Nations. After losing in the platform committee, which advocated a national referendum on the question, he raised the issue on the floor of the convention.

Though he had no chance of winning over the delegates to support his position, he delivered a speech that was the highlight of the convention, "political oratory at its peak" according to an exhaustive account of the convention: "According to reporters, men and women everywhere burst into tears. It was a tour de force, emotional and bordering on hysteria."[14] He drew upon memories of Wilson, who had died just five months earlier.and pleaded for a return to Wilsonian idealism:[15]

On fields of Europe I closed the eyes of soldiers in American uniforms who were dying...and oh, they were so superb and splendid: never a complaint; never a regret; willing to go if only two things might be: One, that mother might know that they died bravely, and the other, that somebody would pick up their sacrifice and build on earth a permanent temple of peace....

And I swore an obligation to the dead that in season and out, by day and by night, in church, in political meeting, in the market-place, I intended to lift up my voice always and ever until their sacrifice were really perfected....

I served Woodrow Wilson for five years. He is standing at the throne of God whose approval he won and has received. As he looks down from there I say to him: "I did my best. I am doing it now. You are still the captain of my soul. I feel your spirit here palpably about me." He is standing here, through my weak voice, his presence not that crippled, shrunken, broken figure that I last saw, but the great majestic leader is standing here, using me to say to you, "Save mankind, do America's duty."

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_D._Baker>

From <http://www.easternct.edu/germinaveris/the-food-administration-of-herbert-hoover-and-american-voluntarism-in-the-first-world-war/>

Prior to his appointment as head of the Food Administration, Hoover was an applauded humanitarian for his relief work. He fought for the job and convinced President Wilson that the organization would be more efficient with a singular "authoritative administrator."[7] In order to give himself "moral authority" to rally support for the cause of food conservation and voluntary service, Hoover took no salary. He later wrote in his memoirs that he hoped the American people would "go back to simple food, simple clothes, [and] simple pleasures. Pray hard, work hard, sleep hard, and play hard. Do it all courageously and cheerfully.

From <http://www.easternct.edu/germinaveris/the-food-administration-of-herbert-hoover-and-american-voluntarism-in-the-first-world-war/

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000