Typed Document Signed

This attorney and Democratic politician served as Cleveland mayor (1912-15) but most importantly as President Woodrow Wilson's influential Secretary of War (1916-21) during the tumultuous World War One years. TDS (mimeograph), 6pp (rectos only), 8½" X 11", n.p., n.y. Very good. Lightly age toned; two original horizontal fold lines (not weakened); staple holes at upper left. Untitled typescript of a speech given by Baker, the first couple of lines reading simply: "THE HONORABLE NEWTON D. BAKER: Miss DeYoung, Senator Nye, Mr. Thomas, Ladies and Gentlemen: I think it is fair to say that the most profound preoccupation of the mind of America at this moment is the question of the preservation of peace...." At top of this first leaf, Baker pens "Stenographic Report" at upper right in black ink. Baker gives a lengthy, thoughtful elaboration on the difficulty but necessity of maintaining worldwide peace in the face of "a new triumvirate -- Hitler, Trotzky and Japan," offering numerous historical allusions one would expect from a former Secretary of War. He stands up for the League of Nations, as he always did. We date this speech at mid-1930s, which is perhaps affirmed in the April 5, 1935 issue of "Spotlight," a publication of "Students of the Women's Division of Brooklyn College of the College of the City of New York," which reports that "Newton D. Baker has accepted an invitation to speak at an anti-war demonstration on October 4 at the University of .Minnesota" -- perhaps this is that very speech, though this is uncertain. After the speech's close on page six, Baker signs boldly in full. A quite unusual item, probably produced in an exceedingly small quantity and this probably the sole signed copy.