File No. 763.72/3684
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 6, 6.10 a.m.]
5941. Your 4631, April 4 [3], 3 p.m. Mr. Balfour after conferences with several departments of the Government is preparing a number of questions and suggestions about British cooperation. They will be telegraphed almost immediately. He quite frankly, but very confidentially, expressed his preference for dealing with [Page 10] you through me rather than through Spring Rice, although he will inform Spring Rice of all he does. I am told by all departments that all information which we wish will be put at our command. The chief idea thus far developed is that a mission of experts could with advantage be at once established by each Government in the capital of the other. Some of these might be permanent, some temporary. I think we might advantageously send here immediately the following, besides an admiral: a general; a financial expert representing the Treasury or the Reserve Board; a shipping expert, because the problem of shipping is the most pressing of all problems; a secret-service expert; a censor to study this elaborate system of telegraph, mail, and press. There will be a great advantage in having men here to study these subjects at first hand some of whom will return to help carry out the work at home. I can arrange for office room in order to secure chancery buildings for most of them and I can open all doors and the several Government departments for them without loss of time. These experts and members of my staff having offices in the same buildings can work to mutual advantage as practically one force.
I recommend the appointment of Hoover as shipping expert to begin work at once. His experience with Belgian relief has made him familiar with the subject and he is a most resourceful man and has to a remarkable degree the confidence of the British Government.
As for political cooperation, some at least of our old difficulties will now automatically be dropped.
I imagine there are yet technical if not other difficulties in the way of our signing the pact of London and thereby pledging ourselves not to make a separate peace nor does this yet matter much. Immediate performance is perhaps not necessary but intimation of the President’s mind looking towards this general subject would be advantageous as soon as he is willing to give it.
On political cooperation, I await your instruction.
Nothing could exceed the gratitude and appreciation of the whole British Government and public, and of all their private and journalistic spokesmen, upon our entry into the war. The truth is the Allies need our help far more than they have hitherto confessed. Especially is the submarine danger greater than the British have publicly made known. The President’s speech is everywhere received as an historic utterance in the noblest note of world statesmanship.