File No. 841.711/2555

The Secretary of State to the British Chargé ( Barclay )

No. 235

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Ambassador’s note No. 740 of July 1, 1918,1 enclosing copy of a circular note which had been addressed by His Majesty’s Government to the diplomatic representatives of foreign countries in London, giving notice that, in view of [Page 1760] certain evidence in the possession of His Majesty’s Government, it is proposed to submit, after a given date, certain diplomatic correspondence sent by post in transit through Great Britain to examination by the censor whenever there is good reason to suspect that the confidence of His Majesty’s Government has been abused. The Ambassador inquired whether the Government of the United States would be prepared to take similar action in regard to the censorship of correspondence of the kind in question.

In reply I have the honor to inform you that this Government is not at present disposed to adopt the procedure suggested.

Accept [etc.]

Robert Lansing
  1. Not printed.