Office of the Historian

File No. 351.622a/43

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]
Paris, January 19, 1916, noon .
[Received 4 p. m.]

1222. Department’s 1295. Essential part of French reply received to-day textually as follows:

I have the honor to inform your excellency that as the issue involved is not the practical solution of a concrete question, but the declaration of a principle, the Government of the Republic must first consult with its ally, the British Government. I hope, however, to be able within a few days to make known to your excellency the views of the two Governments regarding the matter in question.

Sharp