Letter From Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson to Philander C. Knox, July 3, 1910

Authors

Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

Document Type

Letter

Files

Date

7-3-1910

Keywords

Fisheries Arbitration, Buenos Aires Conference, Orinoco Arbitration, Brussels Exposition, Pan-American Delegation, Republic of Honduras, Washington Valentine, Henry Percival Dodge, Henry M. Hoyt, Alvey A. Adee, Frederick Beach Jennings

Description

The document is a carbon copy of a typed letter from Huntington Wilson to the Secretary of State concerning a number of matters, including: a vacation request, advice concerning the Pan-American delegation and the issue of a debt with the government of Honduras and Mr. Washington Valentine.

Sender

Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson

Recipient

Philander C. Knox

Corresponds to:

Folder 1-10, Document 27

City

Washington, D.C.

Transcription

July 3, 1910.

Dear Mr. Secretary:

After a good deal of reflection I have definitely decided that it is better that I should remain here in charge of the Department, under your command, until at least the first of September, barring absence from Friday to Monday once in a while if I find I can take it without getting out of touch. I suppose then you will have no objection to my clearing out at the beginning of September for a couple of months or so.

A dozen of our men are now abroad on account of the Fisheries Arbitration, the Buenos Aires Conference, the Orinoco Arbitration and the Brussels Exposition, to say nothing of the fact that several other men will want to take their annual leave during the next two months. The Latin-American Division is snowed under. Dodge and Janes, who will join it early in August, must be broken in. We may soon have two green Assistant Solicitors. Then, too, the tripartite mediation is at a critical stage and the Nicaragua situation needs careful watching, and

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both of these matters are ones in which I have been much concerned and am greatly interested and ones, too, which may require considerable personal effort with foreign representatives.

Finally, it seems to me that the Department is this summer passing through a rather determinative and delicate phase of transition from the trough toward the crest of the wave in public appreciation, when it is especially important that the newspaper men, with whom friendly relations seem now so well established, receive uniform handling; and that there shall be no shadow of excuse for any critic to cry absenteeism.

Such considerations have persuaded me to a decision which I venture to hope will add to your peace of mind rather than to your fears for the Ship of State.

I don't know how Mr. Hoyt is but I shall tell him that so far as I am concerned and with regard to the Departmental work I see no earthly reason why he should not remain away for a complete rest and try to get thoroughly fit. Mr. Adee was due to land yesterday but I have not yet heard of his arrival here.

I think it would be a good thing to publish your instructions to the Pan-American Delegation on the date of the opening of the Conference (July 9th). Will you please let me know at your earliest convenience if you approve of doing this, because if so I want to give out copies several days in advance for release so that the newspaper men may study them and be prepared to write intelligently about

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them. The Morgan option on the foreign bonds of Honduras expires early in August. I think the Government of Honduras probably wants to dilly-dally a good while longer and I doubt [whether] if they were offered a reasonable formula for dealing with the Valentine claim, even then they would close the deal. You will remember that Davidson told us in case of an issue any question should be referred to Morgan's directly as well as through Jennings. I think we ought to get Paredes, Jennings, Davidson and a representative of the Department together in New York or Washington to try to get the thing in proper shape for a final effort to have Honduras sign the loan agreement. If you agree I will at once try to do this. Please let me know your wishes.

By the way Mr. Olmsted writes that the material sent him is just what he wanted and that he will use it all practically without change.

I submit herewith a note from Mr. Clarke containing what seem to me to be very sensible ideas and recommendations as to filling the two vacancies in the Assistant Solicitorships.

[You] got out of town just in time: the last few days have been in Washington's worst manner, tremendously humid, very hot and no breeze. This afternoon it is better.

Yours very sincerely,

The Honorable P. C. Knox,
etc., etc., etc..

Language

English

Rights Statement

Please contact the Myrin Library Special Collections Department for permissions to use this document. https://www.ursinus.edu/library/archives-special-collections/

Recommended Citation

Huntington-Wilson, Francis Mairs, "Letter From Francis Mairs Huntington-Wilson to Philander C. Knox, July 3, 1910" (1910). Correspondence With Philander C. Knox. 5.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/fmhw_knox/5