Edward Mandell House

Who was he: Edward Mandell House was an American diplomat, politician in Texas and presidential advisor known as Colonel House, although he was never in the military. Colonel House basically controlled the foreign policy of President Woodrow Wilson until the end of World War II. Wilson fired House in 1919.

House helped create one of the worst treaties in world history, the infamous Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War One. Many historians claim this treaty, which in effect was an attempt by the Allies after the war to fund their war debts and destroy Germany as the leading economic power in Europe, had far ranging implications – including the rise of Hitler and National Socialism during the 1930s and much of the Middle East conflict the world faces even today.

President Wilson referred to Colonel House as his "brain" and there are indications that House was an agent of foreign entities, specifically the City of London's vastly powerful banking families who were then – as now – working to form a new world order. House fulfilled his duties to them admirably, if this was the case, by helping involve the US first in World War I and then in the League of Nations.

Colonel House seems to be a prime example of how the one-world conspiracy gained additional power in the 20th Century by using secretive agents of influence. House was an elitist who believed in rule by the elite. In his life, he apparently lived a lie and the legacy of his death was the further undermining of American liberty.

Background: Edward Mandell "Colonel" House was born on July 26, 1858 in Houston, Texas. House's family was quite wealthy and his father was a mayor of Houston. Colonel House had the opportunity to attend prestigious New England preparatory schools alongside children of the eastern establishment's powerful elites. Although he studied at Cornell University, when his father died House subsequently returned to Texas to work in the family business. Fortuitously, House liquidated the family cotton plantations and invested in several banks, which necessitated him moving to New York City around 1902.

Edward Mandell House claims to have helped to elect four Texas governors and his payback was the power to serve as an unofficial advisor to each politician. House certainly used his power and influence to increase his wealth and public visibility. This same job description was carried forward to his work in the campaign and his helping to organize the presidency for President-elect Woodrow Wilson in 1912. Rather than accepting Wilson's offer of a cabinet position, Colonel House chose instead "to serve wherever and whenever possible." Colonel House was even provided living quarters within the White House.

Colonel House promoted America's entry into World War I – even against the views of President Wilson who he "served." House was also very involved in getting the Federal Reserve and Federal Income Tax legislation passed and was a big supporter of the first modern attempt at world government, the failed League of Nations.

Colonel House was Woodrow Wilson's chief negotiator and deputy in Europe during the peace talks and later at the Paris Peace Conference. While there, on May 30, 1919, House attended the first meeting, which was the groundwork for the creation of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

Although House played a major role in world events during and following World War One, his lasting gift to his country was the Federal Reserve and Federal Income Tax. He died on March 28, 1938 in New York City.