Description:

Herbert Hoover Signed Message To Congress Re: World War I Debts - Amidst Great Depression

1p, measuring 8" x 12.5", Washington, D.C., "The White House", dated June 9, 1930. In a statement addressed to Congress, signed "Herbert Hoover", the president orders that "legislation may be enacted to authorize an appropriation of not exceeding $44,446.05 for the payment of interest on funds represented by drafts drawn on the Secretary of State by the American Embassy in Petrograd and the American Embassy in Constantinople and transfers which the Embassy at Constantinople undertook to make by cable communications to the Secretary of State between December 23, 1915 and April 21, 1917…" The document is stamped at the top margin in red ink, "The message and accompanying papers referred to the Committee on For. Aff. And ordered to be printed." The document has uneven toning from the previous matting. Light foxing throughout. Creasing at the top margin, along with staining from a removed paper clip. Mounting material residue on verso. Large, nice signature.

The period mentioned in the message - late 1915 to April 1917 - saw the United States in a difficult position of limbo following the outbreak of World War I. The Lusitania had been sunk in May 1915, killing 128 of 139 American passengers, but President Wilson insisted that the U.S. should remain neutral in the conflict. It would not be until April 1917 that Wilson would finally request a declaration of war against Germany. In the meantime, Secretary of State Robert Lansing was faced with significant foreign policy challenges related to the U.S. position in the First World War. George T. Marye Jr. served as Ambassador to Russia from 1914-1916 and saw the beginning of the end of the Romanov dynasty before the position was taken over by David R. Francis. Henry Morgenthau Sr. served as Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1913-1916, where he unsuccessfully worked with the Turkish government to alleviate the plight of the Armenian population. After returning to the United States, he dedicated himself for the remainder of the war to raise funds for the surviving Armenians.

When the United States did enter the war, Herbert Hoover was appointed head of the Commission for Relief in Belgium and tasked with leading the Food Administration. Known as the "food czar", Hoover helped feed the inhabitants of Central and Eastern Europe throughout the conflict. After the war, Hoover became Secretary of Commerce, holding the position from 1921 to 1928, before becoming President. Unfortunately, his presidency was overshadowed by the stock market collapse of 1929 and the following Great Depression. By the time this message was sent to Congress, the nation was on the brink of a historic economic collapse.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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