763.72111/2053½
The Third Assistant Secretary of State (Phillips) to the Counselor for the Department of State (Lansing)17
Dear Mr. Lansing: At lunch to-day at the British Embassy I met Mr. Oscar Straus, who had been, this morning, calling upon Count Bernstorff. During his conversation Mr. Straus asked Bernstorff why he had presented the last memorandum criticising the neutrality of this Government. Bernstorff replied that he had received instructions from his Government two months ago to present this particular statement; since which time he had allowed it to remain on his desk because in his opinion it was unwise to present it. He said, however, that the state of feeling was such in Germany that to square himself with his Government he was now obliged to carry out his instructions.
Sincerely,
- This paper bears the notation: “Handed to the Secy and by him sent to President 4/17/15 RL.”↩