File No. 839.51/1791
The Secretary of State to Minister Russell
Washington, September 21, 1916.
Your September 14. Department considers President’s proposals regarding finance and constabulary in most part unsatisfactory, and has formulated tentative counter propositions. Before their submission, however, your opinion is desired as to whether such reforms would best be effected and prove binding upon future governments by means of (1) Presidential decree containing stipulation of ultimate submission to Congress, or (2) by submission first to Congress as amendment to present Convention. In case latter appears desirable, how soon may Congress be assembled?
Your August 18. Would constitutional assembly, if called, necessarily conflict with such congressional action?