World War 1-dated TLS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” three pages, 8 x 10.25, personal letterhead, August 10, 1918. Letter to Gus J. Karger of The Times–Star, in part: “I am very much pleased and amused at the Russian business. With a camouflage of statement as to our motives, and with an ostentatiously small force, we are entering at Archangel and at Vladivostok, and we shall never come out until we establish an Eastern front for Germany in Russia. The force which will be sent must be followed by larger forces, and no matter how the administration tries to masquerade it, it is action against the Bolsheviki, and the Bolsheviki are the power which Germany will back, and which Germany will have to back. We shall be engaged in backing the other side, and we shall have to send more and more troops. Russia will have to have a civil war, in spite of herself, and it is the best thing she can have. All this gush about not using Russia to wage war against Germany is utterly without substance, because the only way to help Russia is to fight Germany in Russia, and drive Germany out of it. These self-denying announcements of course no one quarrels with. Of course we don’t wish to take any part of Russia, and of course we don’t wish to exercise any control over her government, but she is loaded with Germany, and we have got to kick Germany out. The only way we can kick her out is by the use of military force.” Taft makes several handwritten emendations, and adds a postscript to the conclusion: “I suppose Hulbert continues to trail along in the procession of events with Wilson six months behind.” In very good condition, with scattered staining and rippling from onetime exposure to moisture. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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