763.72112/3010b
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: On the 22d I sent you the draft of a proposed telegram to our Chargé at London dealing very frankly with our relations with Great Britain. My letter of transmittal explained the purpose and the method of using the statements in the telegram.
I am taking the liberty of calling the matter again to your attention because I feel that the continued delay of the British Government in replying to our notes on the mails and on the blacklist is creating a public sentiment in this country toward this Department which is bringing it into contempt for submitting to such treatment without vigorous protest. I have sought to avoid a protest to the British Government and thought this telegram might obviate it, but the situation is reaching a stage which will compel some action. Will you please advise me of your wishes?
There is another matter—the Lusitania case—which is also causing considerable criticism. It is pointed out that delay in our negotiations was unpardonable, and that now several months have passed since the German submission in the Sussex case without any settlement of the Lusitania affair.
[Page 320]The delay in the negotiations can be readily explained—in fact I have a statement already prepared upon that, the use of which is only a matter of expediency, but the failure to settle the case is less easy of explanation. As you will remember Count Bernstorff and I reached a satisfactory agreement as to the terms last February.9 Would it or would it not be advisable at the present time to ask him to make our informal agreement formal? If that could be done, while it would open the settlement to discussion, it would stop the criticism as to delay and end the chapter. I confess that I cannot make up my mind as to the best course to pursue.9a
Faithfully yours,