File No. 763.72119/261a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassadors and Ministers in Belligerent Countries
The following statement appeared in the afternoon papers of to-day regarding President’s note transmitted in Department’s circular telegram December 18:1
It isn’t our material interest we had in mind when the note was sent, but more and more our own rights are becoming involved by the belligerents on both sides, so that the situation is becoming increasingly critical.
[Page 107]I mean by that, that we are drawing nearer the verge of war ourselves, and, therefore, we are entitled to know exactly what each belligerent seeks, in order that we may regulate, our conduct in the future.
No nation has been sounded. No consideration of the German overtures or of the speech of Lloyd George was taken into account in the formulation of the document. The only thing the overtures did was to delay it a few days. It was not decided to send it until Monday. Of course, the difficulties that face the President were that it might be construed as a movement toward peace and in aid of the German overtures. He specifically denies that that was the fact in the document itself.
The sending of this note will indicate the possibility of our being forced into the war. That possibility ought to serve as a restraining and sobering force, safeguarding American rights. It may also serve to force an earlier conclusion of the war. Neither the President nor myself regards this note as a peace note; it is merely an effort to get the belligerents to define the end for which they are fighting.
In view of the wrong impression conveyed by this statement I gave out the following statement to the press this afternoon:
I have learned from several quarters that a wrong impression was made by the statement which I made this morning, and I wish to correct that impression. My intention was to suggest the very direct and necessary interest which this country, as one of the neutral nations, has in the possible terms which the belligerents may have in mind, and I did not intend to intimate that the Government was considering any change in its policy of neutrality which it has consistently pursued in the face of constantly increasing difficulties. I regret that my words were open to any other construction, as I now realize that they were. I think that the whole tone and language of the notes to the belligerents show the purpose without further comment on my part. It is needless to say that I am unreservedly in support of that purpose and hope to see it accomplished.
You may informally advise the government to which you are accredited of this latter statement in case it seems to you advisable.