763.72111/4420
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I am sending you a confidential report from Ambassador Page at London (No. 5568, January 5, 1917)74 dealing with the question of armed merchant vessels, which I think that you will read with as much interest as I have, since it not only presents the British point of view but brings out very clearly the difficulties which enter into the problem.
I do not think that we can long delay determining upon a very definite policy in this matter, particularly in view of the fact that a renewal of submarine activities seems imminent. The trouble is there are reasonable arguments on both sides of the question which lead to conclusions utterly irreconcilable. I can see no common ground for compromise; in that lies the chief difficulty of our situation. It seems to me, however, that the position of this Government ought to be settled and a definite statement prepared which could be issued promptly at the proper time, as doubtless the question will soon become acute.
I enclose for your information in this connection our public statement of September, 1914,75 and March, 1916,76 dealing with this subject.
As I am taking up the question from the politic as well as the legal point of view I would be greatly obliged for any comments on Mr. Page’s report and also for any suggestions on the general subject.
Faithfully yours,