Office of the Historian

763.72111/1397½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

[Washington,] 12 January, 1915.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I find myself regretting that it is necessary to say anything on this subject.

This note is entirely sound and conclusive from the lawyer’s point of view;30 but I fear that it will make the impression of a technical defense against the charge that we have not performed a duty suggested by moral considerations and the general sense of thoughtful men throughout the world.

Will you not think of it again in this light, and give me your final impression?

Faithfully,

W. W
  1. The reference apparently is to the proposed statement for the press, p. 189.↩