763.72/11132½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I agree with you that it is time that we took definitive action in this important matter, and my inclination would be to take the second course you outline; but I am restrained by considerations which I shall take pleasure in explaining to you orally at our next interview. They are rather too complex for a brief memorandum like this.
The first alternative you suggest is, it seems to me, the one we should now accept. It to a certain extent carries with it by implication the principle of the second, but is as far as we need go at this time.
I would be very much obliged if you would prepare and let me see the public announcement you would think it best to issue.
Faithfully Yours,