865.857 An 2/97½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
Hot Springs, Va.,
27 December, 1915.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have read this with misgivings.82 We certainly do not wish to be drawn into a correspondence with the Austro-Hungarian government; but, if they propose arbitration, how can we refuse to consider that? To do so would be contrary to all [Page 507] our traditions and would place us in a very difficult position to justify in the opinion of the rest of the world, do you not think so?
Faithfully Yours,
Woodrow Wilson