File No. 763.72112/164
The President to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
Washington, October 16, 1914, 6 p.m.
[Telegram]
Your October 15, 11 p.m.
Beg that you will not regard the position of this Government as merely academic. Contact with opinion on this side the water would materially alter your view. Lansing has pointed out to you in personal confidential despatch of this date how completely all the British Government seeks can accomplished without the least friction with this Government and without touching opinion on this side the water on an exceedingly tender spot. I must urge you to realize this aspect of the master and to use your utmost persuasive [Page 253] efforts to effect an understanding, which we earnestly desire, by the method we have gone out of our way to suggest, which will put the whole case in unimpeachable form.
This is private and for your guidance.