763.72115/2632½
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: It is evident to my mind that the gentlemen making the request for information regarding the deportation of Belgians desire to obtain some official statement from the Government which they can reproduce in quoted form in printed circulars [Page 46] to be distributed broadcast over the country for the purpose of arousing public opinion and forcing the Government to take some action unfavorable to Germany, which could be construed as favoring the Allies. If I am correct in this surmise, I think that no good purpose would be served by giving out officially the information desired. As a matter of fact, it has always been a rule of this Department not to make official statements to inquirers regarding confidential matters under diplomatic discussion unless the inquirers are parties in interest. This rule is based on the fact that the correspondence is with foreign governments, who may not desire to have the subject matter given out without their consent. This is peculiarly true in the present case, which is passing into a very delicate stage. I think, therefore, that it is not only appropriate, but necessary, for the moment at least, to answer the committee substantially along these lines. Somewhat later, I suppose, it may be possible, with the consent of the German Government, to give out some of the correspondence in the Belgian matter. Of course, if Germany should prefer to give the matter out without asking us, we could then give out so much as may be desirable to make our position clear.
Faithfully yours,