USA foreign policy proposal

[michaeldr]

following the German spring offensive

and relating to British troop shortages

"Wingate (Sir Francis Reginald, High Commissioner to Egypt)

to

Allenby (General Sir H. H., GOC., EEF)

SECRET

3 May 1918

Mr. Gary*, the new American Minister (who impresses me as being genuinely anxious to act as a true ally and friend) in a recent informal talk with me made some remarks which were of such interest that I thought it well to embody them in a purely private and personal telegram to the Foreign Office. The telegram was to the following effect:-

Mr. Gary suggests as a means of relieving British troops from garrison duty and of influencing Irish opinion in a new and healthy direction the despatch to Ireland of American Troops, recruited from the Southern States as more dependable... ... ... "

* Hampson Gary (1873-1952) Lawyer & diplomat. US Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General to Egypt, rank of Minister. Resident, 1917-1920

from 'Allenby in Palestine - the Midle East Correspondence of Field Marshal Viscount Allenby' edited by Matthew Hughes