File No. 657.119/136½
President Wilson to the Special Representative ( House)
[Telegram]
Washington,
November 19, 1917, 1 p.m.
Am distressed to differ with McCormick2 but inasmuch as we are fighting a war of principle I do not feel that I can consent to demand of Norway what we would not in similar circumstances allow any government to demand of us, namely, the cessation of exports of her own products to any place she can send them. I am convinced that our only legitimate position is that we will not supply the deficiencies which she thus creates for herself if the exports are to our enemies.
Wilson