763.72112/699½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I return the English preliminary note with Mr. Lansing’s memoranda, and wish to make this suggestion, as I did hurriedly over the telephone the other day:
The two governments being apparently in substantial agreement about the principles involved, it would seem to me best that the whole argument should be directed to practicable methods of handling the whole matter with the least possible delay, unfairness, or friction, and with a view to bringing the British practices to some basis of uniformity and consistency upon which our merchants could reckon. My feeling is that it is not worth while debating details with them. But this is only a judgment preliminary like the note itself.
Cordially and faithfully yours,