763.72/1967½
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: In re your letter of the 13th as to an outline for a reply to the German note may I offer the following comments:
I do not think that it is at all essential to refute the German allegation that the Lusitania was to all intents a public ship; at the same time it presents an argument which to the average man appears to have considerable force, and, if it is not met, it may be thought that it could not be answered. There is always danger, I think, in omitting reference to an assertion, since it may be construed into an admission. You will see that my Note 6 (July 11th)34 deals with the question.
Your paragraphs numbered 1, 2 and 3 seem to me to treat the modus vivendi proposed by Germany in just the right way, and put [Page 459] the subject on the ground of principle, which is a higher ground than the one I suggested and, therefore, a better one.
Paragraph 4, I think, presents the exact way to deal with the charges made against Great Britain. The subject should be stated to be irrelevant to the issue as well as improper for discussion with Germany. The last sentence in the paragraph might possibly obtain greater emphasis by being placed at the end of our answer and show a friendly disposition.
Paragraph 5 might be used in the answer, to emphasize our disappointment that the German Government does not in its note agree to do the very thing it has been doing for the past two months. Possibly this could be used at the beginning in complaining that the rights of Americans are not acknowledged.
I think that you will find that the view of public sentiment contained in the next to the last paragraph in your letter was identical with that expressed in the first part of my letter of yesterday. I am sure the people do not want war with Germany, and I am equally sure that they want the Government to insist firmly on its rights. As you say, the two things are “inconsistent.” How they can be brought into harmony is the chief problem.
This brings up the question, which you ask, as to “the concluding terms of demand.” Frankly I am not prepared yet to answer that question. I would prefer to wait until the note is drafted in a tentative form and see what demands would be consistent and appropriate. Of course the demands we make will be the most difficult part of the note. Is it possible to be firm and at the same time to compromise?
I think that in formulating the demands the possible consequences must be considered with the greatest care. In case of a flat refusal what will happen? In case of counter proposals what then Should the demands be so worded as to admit of only “Yes” or “No” as an answer, or should a loophole be given for counter proposals? Can we take a course which will permit further correspondence? These are the questions which are running through my mind and I have not as yet been able to answer them. I wish more time to consider them.
I am now working on a tentative draft, which will put my ideas in a more concrete form than the Notes which I sent you.
Not being sure whether you kept a copy of your letter of the 13th I am returning it to you so that this letter will be intelligible. I have retained a copy.
Faithfully yours,
- Not printed; enclosed with Secretary Lansing’s letter of July 14, supra.↩