768.72/1750b
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: As you do not read the Post I am taking the liberty of enclosing an editorial that appeared in it this morning.33 You will notice that it calls attention to Germany’s action in endorsing the requirement of notice to passengers. But my special reason, for calling your attention to this editorial is that it makes a suggestion for which I ask your consideration, namely, that ships carrying contraband should not be permitted to carry passengers. The idea occurred to me last night (it was not, of course communicated to the Post) that some such rule should be adopted. Germany has a right to prevent contraband going to the allies and a ship carrying contraband should not rely upon passengers to protect her from attack—it would be like putting women and children in front of an army.
You will notice from another clipping that the manifest showed 4200 cases of cartridges & ammunition valued at $152,400. I learned from Mr. Lansing last night that the Lusitania carried ammunition, and this information suggested to me the rule which seems to have suggested itself to the editor of the Post also. You will notice that Germany refers to this war material in the Lusitania cargo. One result will be to make the world realize more fully the horrors of war and pray more earnestly for peace. Ridder’s comments which I enclose are suggestive.33 Our people will, I think, be the more thankful that a believer in peace is in the White House at this time.
With assurances [etc.]