Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I

763.72111/1332½

President Wilson to the Counselor for the Department of State (Lansing)

Washington, December 10, 1914.

My Dear Mr. Lansing: Here is a telegram I have just received upon which I would value your comment. Are these gentlemen right in the position they take, do you think?

I did not mean to have you take Münsterberg’s letter quite so seriously as you did. I fear that I put a great burden of unnecessary work on you, but I am heartily obliged to you for the results which reached me last evening.

Cordially and faithfully yours,

Woodrow Wilson

[Enclosure—Telegram]

Messrs. Paul Fuller, Benj. F. Tracy, and Frederic R. Coudert to President Wilson

New York, December 8, 1914—8:30 p. m.

Congressional action altering the rules of neutrality during warfare is contrary to accepted international law. Aiding the inefficiency of one belligerent to protect its purchases of arms by forbidding all exportation of arms to the other belligerent is an absolute violation of neutrality. The bills proposed by Representatives Vollmer and Bartholdt and by Senator Hitchcock, would, if enacted, put the United States surely on record as against the Allies.

Paul Fuller
Benj. F. Tracy
Frederic R. Coudert