Berlin, December 23, 1937.
 
 
 
Dear Mr. President:
 
 
 Your most interesting letter of December 14 just received. It
certainly would be, in my opinion, a great advantage if Professor
Shotwell could be appointed to one of the vacancies in Europe. I
thought Berlin would be the best place because of his knowledge of
German and also because of his thorough acquaintance of European
affairs, as revealed in his books. However, I know you have political
complications and shall understand whatever you are able to do.
 
 
 As to your remarks about the possible attitude of the Foreign Office
here, I am a little surprised. Their objections to what was reported to
have
been a speech of mine September 4 was supposed to have been entirely
settled
about that time. Secretary Hull did not intimate to me any
difficulties, especially when he realized that a confidential letter
had been slipped out of the State Department and made use of in such a
dishonorable way. However, comment which I hear from many people in the
Service indicates great dis-
trust of one of the higher officials in the Department. There is a
general belief that he was the cause of these difficulties.
Personally, I do not know anything about him; but the marvellously
incorrect address which he delivered about a month ago in Washington on
the subject of Latin-American
countries suggests a great deal. The greatest authority we have on
Latin-American affairs says there is no such thing as democracy in any
of the Latin-American
 
 
The President
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
                            -2-                             
 
 
 
countries. A book of his which came out something over a year ago gives
conclusive evidence. Consequently, I was surprised to see that a high
official could make such an address as was reported to us here in the
Paris HERALD.
 
 
 I shall be arriving in Washington sometime about the eighth or ninth
of January, dependent upon whether we have too many storms on the
Atlantic. When I arrive in Washington I would like very much to have
opportunity of talking with you about the somewhat changed European
situation. You seem to me to have the overwhelming support of our
people, and I hope something can be done that will tend to make an end
of welfare.
 
 
 My address will be the Cosmos Club during my residence in Washington.
 
 
Although it is too late, I wish to express our very best wishes for a
Happy Christmas.
Sincerely yours,
William E. Dodd (signature)