James Bryce letter to Champ Clark - May 7, 1917
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London, May 7th 1917 My Dear Mr. Speaker The entrance of the United States into the War – an event welcomed by the European allies [ms illegible: 1 wd] and because it promises a speedier ending to this terrible conflict by a victory for the cause for which America and the Allies are fighting, but also because it expresses the judgment of the greatest nation of the New World that this cause is a righteous cause – has created in the British Parliament a wish for
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a fuller understanding by its members and by those of the United States Congress of one our [ms illegible: 1 wd] views and aims, and for a closer personal acquaintance of the members of both The British Parliament fortunately [ms illegible: 1 wd] an organization filled to take action for the [ms illegible: 1 wd] at in of both these objects. Sixteen months ago a Committee was formed in the French Parliament for the purpose of establishing friendly relations with a similar committee which, it was hoped, might be formed from among the members of our Parliament. At the entrance of the British Prime Minister an unofficial committee was accordingly created here in response to the invitation
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from France. We invited our French Colleagues in Paris, and they visited us here. Subsequently a similar committee was formed in the Russian Duma, which fair visits to London and Paris a year ago: and quite recently another similar Committee has been formed in the Italian Legislature; and we are now Establishing friendly relations with our Parlimentary friends in Rome It has fallen to my lot to be chosen Chairman of the British Committee; and in that capacity I have won the honour, on its behalf, to address to you, as Speaker of the House of Representatives a most cordial message of greeting , and to inform you that in the event of the formation in Congress of a similar Committee, it would give us the warmest pleasure to be allowed to place ourselves in relation with such a committee.
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I am further derived to say that we should deem it a great honour, as well as a great pleasure, if we might, at an early date, receive your Committee as our guests here, so as to have the opportunity of making them personal acquaintance and discussing with them matters of common interest. Their coming here as representatives of a nation for which we feel a sincere affection would. I need not say, be regarded as a most auspicious event. The French Italian and British Committees consist in each country at twenty five members, a minority being, in each case, chosen from the Upper and Smaller House, and a majority from the larger House. The President of the French Committee is M. Clemenceau, and the President of the Italian Commitee Sogun Lussatic
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The Committees have been chosen in various ways. Our British Committee was nominated by the “whips” of the different parties, with the cognizance of the Administration. The French Committee was elected by three of the principal “Commissions” of the two Houses The Committes have no official authority or Executive Duties, and contain no members of his Executive governments of the day, while representing all parties in their several countries. They are careful not to interfere with the functions of the Executive, though they seek to facilitate more functions by establishing an atmosphere of hearty friendship and cooperations between the Parliaments, and by promoting
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a due comprehension of the problems which each nation has to deal with in connection with the war. I have addressed a letter in similar terms to the Vice President of the United States as President of the Senate. I have the honour to be, with our warm appreciation of the splendid efforts which the United States is putting forth in the Course of freedom, justice and humanity. Faithfully and respectfully yours James Bryce (Viscount Bryce) To the Honorable The Speaker of the House of Representatives
Details
| Title | James Bryce letter to Champ Clark - May 7, 1917 |
| Creator | Bryce, James |
| Source | Bryce, James. Letter to Champ Clark. 07 May 1917. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this May 7, 1917, letter to Champ Clark, James Bryce invited American dignitaries to British Parliament to address the war, and described similar French, Russian, and Italian war committees. Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. James Bryce served as the British Ambassador to the United States between 1907 and 1913, and during World War I he was a member of the House of Lords. |
| Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; World War, 1914-1918--Political aspects--United States; Bryce, James Bryce, Viscount, 1838-1922; World War, 1914-1918--Political aspects--Great Britain |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C0666 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | May 7, 1917 |
| Language | English |