763.72115/2632½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: This paper enclosed emanates from a group of men who are anything but our friends and many of whom would be very glad indeed to embarrass us, and I would value a suggestion from you as to what reply should be made to the inquiry.

Cordially and faithfully yours,

Woodrow Wilson
[Enclosure—Telegram]

Mr. Frederick W. Whitridge and Others to President Wilson

There are many of our citizens who wish to do their part toward an expression of public opinion regarding the deportation of Belgians into Germany and France, which as now reported appears to be in violation of law and humanity. We should be glad to have all the information possible so as to be sure of the facts before taking public action. May we have such information as may be proper as to what facts the State Department has, what our Government has done and what so far as known other neutral governments have done about the violation of international law in this respect. If the facts are not now known by our Government cannot they be obtained from our Minister to Belgium?

Frederick W. Whitridge S. R. Bertron
Rev. Dr. W. T. Manning Pierre Mali
Senator Root Rev. Dr. Slattery
A. J. Hemphill R. Fulton Cutting
Thos. Ryan Joseph H. Choate
Rob’t Bacon Benj. T. Calle
Francis L. Stetson Robert T. Brides
James M. Beck John M. Parker, New Orleans
H. L. Stimson W. H. King