763.72/1918: Telegram
The Secretary of State to President Wilson 23
In view of the usual delay in communicating with Berlin I considered an immediate answer to Gerard regarding preliminary negotiations should be sent at once. I, therefore, sent the following telegram:24
“July 6, 1915. 7 P.M. Amembassy, Berlin. 1915. The suggestion[s] contained in your 254325 and 254426 are receiving attentive consideration. The belief in Germany as reported in your 2544 regarding the resignation of Mr. Bryan is entirely erroneous. Mr. Bryan is not endeavoring to influence public opinion against this Government, and he will support the President. As far as one can judge, the country is almost unanimous in its hearty support of the President. We do not think it advisable at present to enter negotiations on the subject of the German reply. The position of the United States was fully set forth in its instruction to you of June 9th,27 and we do not feel that the principles upon which this statement [Government] stands can be properly the subject of preliminary negotiations. Lansing.”
You will perceive that this telegram permits a change of attitude if it seems desirable to you to have Gerard negotiate on the subject. My personal opinion is that Gerard, judging from his previous expressions favoring the German proposals, ought not to be given any latitude in the negotiations if you consider it wise to proceed with them. I am afraid that the principle for which we contend would be sacrificed by him in order to reach a compromise to which Germany would agree. To recede on any of our assertions of principle ought not, in my opinion, to be considered. If Germany would admit the correctness of the principle asserted by this Government, a negotiation of its application to present conditions might be advisable.
- Then at Cornish, N. H.↩
- Printed in Foreign Relations, 1915, supp., p. 462.↩
- ibid., p. 459.↩
- ibid., p. 460.↩
- ibid., p. 436.↩