64

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON.

June 18, 1918.

Confidential

64

My dear Mr. President:

I return herewith the letter of Mr. Yangoo.

Surely the suggestion is conceived in a handsome and help-
ful spirit, and yet I doubt very much whether a group of philippine
delegates would be able to sufficiently comprehend the perplexities
and intricate cross-currents of feeling in Russia to be very help-
ful. Of course, no Philippines speak Russian, and the delegates
would, therefore, be obliged to speak through interpreters; and in
so vast a country, at present divided up into so many localities
with local differences both of race and party, I confess I do not
see how they could be very weighty.

If I had my own way about Russia and had the power to have
my own way, I would like to take everybody out of Russia except the
Russians, including diplomatic representatives, military representatives,
political agents, propagandists and casual visitors, and let the Russians
settle down and settle their own affairs. This, of course, is impossible
not only to me but to anybody, and so those of us who do wish the
Russian people well can only think how we can help them best. as
I see it that is by exposing the falsity and treachery of German

The President,
The White House.

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