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

701.6211/327½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

Washington, 5 December, 1915.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I read this letter¹⁹ after writing my annotation on the evidence you sent me with regard to Albert.

There is a great deal of weight in what you say about the assistance Albert has been able, and willing, to render our trade in many particulars; but my feeling is so strong that his is the directing and the most dangerous mind in all these unhappy intrigues which are now so deeply exciting the resentment of this country that I should like to find sufficient ground to ask his recall.

In view of what Gerard says in his despatch of yesterday,²⁰ it is plainly wise to move with circumspection in this case and not add it too brashly to the others; but Albert is, I am convinced, the king pin.

Faithfully Yours,

W. W.

19. Secretary Lansing’s letter of Dec. 2, p. 87.
20. Telegram from the Ambassador in Germany not printed; it stated that the German Foreign Office wished proof of irregularities on the part of von Papen and Boy-Ed. (File No. 701.6211/321.)