Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I

701.6211/323½

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

Washington, November 29, 1915.

My Dear Mr. President: I feel that we cannot wait much longer to act in the cases of Boy-Ed, von Papen, and von Nuber.¹¹ I believe we have enough in regard to the activities of these men to warrant us to demand of the German Government the recall of the two first named and to cancel the exequatur of von Nuber, giving notice to the Austro-Hungarian Government that we have done so.

The increasing public indignation in regard to these men and the general criticism of the Government for allowing them to remain are not the chief reasons for suggesting action in these cases, although I do not think that such reasons should be ignored. We have been over-patient with these people on account of the greater controversies under consideration for several months and did not wish to add to the difficulties of the situation by injecting another cause of difference. In my opinion action now cannot seriously affect the pending negotiations, and it would be well to act as expeditiously as possible.

In case you agree with me as to the action which should be taken would you favor informing Bernstorff orally that his attachés are personae non gratae or make a formal written statement to that effect without telling him in advance?

In the von Nuber case I would suggest that the Austrian Chargé be told that we intend to cancel the exequatur of von Nuber.

As you know, I believe that we will soon have to go even higher up in removing from this country representatives of belligerents who are directing operations here. It would appear that these higher officials consider our patience to be cowardice. If this is so, the removal of subordinates would indicate our earnest purpose and would, I believe, help rather than hinder the progress of present negotiations.

I hope a decision can be reached speedily in this matter, as it should in my judgment be done, if at all, before Congress meets.

I enclose memoranda on German and Austrian officials here, among which you will find statements regarding the three mentioned.¹²

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing

11. For correspondence previously printed concerning these cases, see Foreign Relations, 1915, supp., pp. 932–953.
12. Not printed.