763.72112/359a
The Acting Secretary of
State to President Wilson
Washington,
September 28, 1914.
Dear Mr. President: I enclose a draft of
telegram to the American Ambassador at London, in accordance with your
direction this morning.6
I confess I am not satisfied with it, because there seems so much to say
which is not said. I hope you will please indicate any suggestions you
may have as to changes.
Very sincerely yours,
[Enclosure]
Draft Telegram From the Acting
Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great
Britain (Page)
You will immediately see Sir Edward Grey and state to him informally
that this Government has given careful consideration to the
intention of the British Government to change the provisions of the
Declaration of London by the Order in Council of the twentieth
August and to adopt the Declaration thus changed as the code of
naval warfare for the present war. This Government as the result of
its examination, feels grave concern at all of the proposed changes,
especially those in Articles three and five of the Order in Council,
which so materially affect the rights of neutral commerce. If the
proposed rules are put into force and the matter becomes the subject
of public discussion in this country, as it undoubtedly will, it is
to be feared that it will arouse a spirit of resentment among the
American people toward Great Britain, which this Government would
extremely regret but which it would be unable to prevent. You will
also point out that the enforcement of these rules by the British
Government would furnish to those inimicable to Great Britain an
opportunity, which they would not be slow to seize.
You will further say that the President desires, if possible, to
avoid a formal protest to these proposed rules and their enforcement
[Page 249] and hopes that the
British Government will carefully consider the advisability of
modifying the objectionable features of the Order in Council, which
possesses such latent possibilities of disturbing the existing
relations between the peoples of the two countries.
You will impress upon Sir Edward Grey the extreme gravity of the
situation and the earnest wish of the President to avoid causes of
irritation and controversy between this Government and the
Government of His Majesty.
In presenting the substance of this instruction to Sir Edward Grey
you will assure him that it is done in the most friendly spirit.
Telegraph result of interview as soon as possible.
