763.72/2630
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I enclose a proposed telegram to Mr. Gerard.52 While I am not disposed to unduly press the German Government for an answer to our note, I feel that we should let that [Page 563] Government know that we are becoming impatient at the delay, which would seem to indicate that they intend to avoid a frank declaration. I also thought it would be well to furnish Gerard with our idea as to the rules which should govern the conduct of naval operations against merchant vessels.
I would be very much pleased for any changes or suggestions which you may desire to make, and also your views as to the advisability of sending a telegram like the enclosed.
Faithfully yours,
- For the telegram as sent, see Foreign Relations, 1916, supp., p. 252.↩