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

763.72112/1241

The Secretary of State ad interim to President Wilson

Washington, June 12, 1915.

Dear Mr. President: I am sending you a proposed telegram to our Embassy at London, which, if it meets with your approval, will you please return to the Telegraph Room of the Department for transmission.

I would not trouble you with this matter, except that it bears directly upon the policy of our sending a note to Great Britain at this time. Briefly, the situation is this: Great Britain has prepared a reply to our note of March 30th.⁷⁶ From the confidential information obtained here as to the contents of the note, it would appear to be largely a defense of retaliation against Germany, based upon further alleged violations of the laws of war and humanity by the German Government. If our information is correct, and I have reason to believe that it is so, it seems to me that such an answer at this time would complicate matters and have an undesirable effect upon Germany. I do not think, therefore, that it would be good policy to encourage the sending of such a reply at the present time.

Of course, knowing that Great Britain has a reply prepared and is only withholding it out of consideration to this Government, in view of the controversy with Germany, we could not in fairness, except in extreme cases, send another note of complaint to Great Britain, until that Government had an opportunity to answer our note of March 30th.

It is on account of this situation that the telegram sent to you for approval is drafted.

I am [etc.]

Robert Lansing

[Enclosure]

Draft Telegram From the Secretary of State ad interim to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)⁷⁷

Your 2258 tenth.⁷⁸ If British reply to Department’s note March thirtieth acquiesces in United States position therein taken, Department would be glad to receive it promptly, but if it makes no concession to American views and is calculated merely to aggravate situation, perhaps wiser to withhold it in hope that some practical solution of differences may be found through more intelligent exercise by British Government of discretionary powers reserved under order in council, and greater effort on their part to avoid repetition of present difficulties.

Department has been confidentially informed of contents proposed British note as first drafted, and if this information is correct, transmission of note in that form might bring to a climax increasing agitation against British interference with neutral shipping, which in any event will break out soon, if British authorities continue in their present course, and then it will be more difficult to find a solution.

You may use this orally and unofficially.

76. Foreign Relations, 1915, supp., p. 152.
77. This paper bears the notation: “Not sent.”
78. Foreign Relations, 1915, supp., p. 438.