763.72/1963½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I learn to-day from the representative of the Associated Press who accompanied me up here that the German note was delivered to Gerard late last evening. I assume, therefore, that it will be in our hands, and in mine here, by Monday or Tuesday. I shall take a little while to mull over it before returning to Washington to confer with you about it.
May I not suggest that while I am getting my ideas straightened out about it and meditating the necessary reply you will yourself sketch what you think should be said in answer? We can then immediately get our minds together when we meet. Perhaps you would be kind enough to let me have a memorandum of your thought for a reply. You will at once, I take it, see what my own position will necessarily be when you see the note itself.
Faithfully Yours,