Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I

841.711/1589½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

Washington, 14 November, 1916.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have read this memorandum with a great deal of care, and have the following comments and suggestions to offer:

In form the note¹² seems to me too much an argumentative establishment of the belligerent rights now being claimed and exercised by the Allies. Would it not be better (1) to state the problem, as you do, (2) admit this and that point, with the grounds of the admission briefly stated, and (3) insist on the residuum and offer to set afoot an international inquiry as to the right general grounds of right and adjustment.

You see my point: it is that it would be better to make admissions than to seem to be formally arguing their case.

Faithfully Yours,

W. W.

12. i. e., the memorandum printed supra.