763.72112/359a

The Acting Secretary of State to President Wilson

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,

Robert Lansing
[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.

  1. For telegram as sent, see Foreign Relations, 1914, supp., p. 232.