There have been many and varied explanations for the journey of Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles abroad. Here’s the latest one: There are two distinct groups within the State Department. One group of diplomats believes the United States should actively intervene in the war in Europe.
This group is led by Ambassador to France William C. Bullitt.
The second group believes in non-intervention, but thinks no stone should be left unturned by the United States to see if peace cannot be achieved in some form or another. Active in this group is supposed to be Ambassador to London Joseph P. Kennedy.
Download An Uncensored Diary From The Central Empires-Ernesta Drinker Bullitt-1917