Lot 1127
Snowden, Philip, 1st Viscount of Snowden (1864-1937), British Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1924, 1929-31, Lord Privy Seal, 1931-1932. Typed Letter Signed "Snowden" on "Rt. Hon. Viscount Snowden" letterhead, one page (both sides), 7 x 9, Farnham, Surrey, May 1, 1935. To Howard W. Bible, Washington, D.C. A scathing indictment of the Treaty of Versailles, clearly laying much of the blame on Woodrow Wilson.
"Recent happenings in the relations of Germany and the Allies in the War have brought the questions of the revision of the Versailles Treaty into great prominence. The victorious Powers having for fifteen years refused to implement their obligations in respect of a general reduction of armaments. Germany has now taken the matter into her own hands.
My own views on the question remain what they were. The Treaty was a vindictive and immoral act and was full of the seeds of future wars. Ever since it was imposed by force it has kept Europe in a state of unsettlement.
I do not think it is much use now discussing what Germany would have done if she had been victorious. We do not know. But judging by the precedent of 1871 when she defeated France she would not have framed a Treaty and handed it to the vanquished Powers and told them to sign it under the threat of marching into France within three days. In 1871 she gave France a negotiated Treaty.
I am very much distressed about the European situation. The Allies in the late War seem to have learnt none of its lessons. Britain, France and Italy are pursuing just the same policies which brought that War about. I am afraid your President Wilson must accept a good deal of the responsibility for the iniquitous act of Versailles."
Some creases split at edges, overall Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
Best remembered for having taken Britain off the Gold Standard in 1931, Snowden made an economic volte-face in 1935 by supporting Lloyd-George's radical economic platform in the General Election.
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| Realized $650 |
