763.72111/1930
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I am enclosing a note from Mr. Lansing explaining the changes which he suggests.24 They refer to the form of expression rather than to the merits of the proposition, and I am inclined to agree with him except in one particular.
On page 8 he suggests the substitution of “conscious right” for “conscience”. I prefer your phraseology for I think the word “conscience” harmonizes with the good will which follows it better than the phrase “conscious right”.
The only change which I have to suggest is in regard to the right of American citizens to export arms. You will remember that Bernstorff, in his note, bases his whole argument in favor of an embargo on the ground that a nation should not increase its plants for the manufacture of arms, etc. Of course this position is entirely unsound but as we reiterate our position would it not be well to conclude the statement of our position with a statement something like this—“We can find no justification in international law for the restrictions upon the export of arms which your Excellency suggests.”? And the answer would be still further strengthened by adding—“and even if the position taken by your Excellency were tenable, it would only relate to the amount of arms and ammunition which it would be proper for belligerents to purchase in a neutral country, and would involve the apportionment of such purchases among belligerents, a thing which would seem to be impossible.”
Mr. Lansing does not think it necessary to make any answer to the Ambassador’s argument on this subject, but it seems to me that in restating our position we cannot well ignore the argument upon which he bases his criticism of our position.
With assurances [etc.]
- Supra.↩