763.72112/3527½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I agree with you that this form is the best in which to announce our list of contraband and that we should make an immediate announcement; but I am not clear as to the meaning of all of the enclosed statement.14
No. 1 is clear. Under No. 2, is it your idea that all vehicles, of whatever kind, should be considered contraband no matter whither bound? Under 3 I assume that the words “destined to come into the possession or control of the enemy government or its officers or agents” is meant to apply to “articles and materials for the manufacture thereof” as well as to “all kinds of food and clothing”, but the language does not make that clear. No. 4 is clear. Under 5 I assume that it is meant only to include materials and metals useful in the manufacture of coin, currency, etc., but the section might be read to include all metals of all kinds and uses. Of course these points can all be made clear. They do not go to the merits.
Faithfully Yours,
- Supra.↩