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

763.72/2634½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

Washington, 24 April, 1916.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have looked this memorandum through with a good deal of care, and think that it covers the whole question comprehensively and with great clearness.⁵⁰

I take it that paragraph #13, on page 9,⁵¹ is the one which really defines what we must maintain to be the law with regard to the particular question raised in the German orders of February last with regard to armed merchantmen. It shows that they have left out some of the most necessary elements of their case, namely, orders to attack in all circumstances, right to prize money, and liability to discipline if orders are not carried out.

Is it not law, and might it not be well to bring sharply out, that vessels bound on normal errands of trade are never transformed into war vessels by attacking everything that threatens them on their way, when the purpose is protection?

Faithfully Yours,

W. W.

50. Memorandum on the status of armed merchant vessels, made public Apr. 27, 1916, Foreign Relations, 1916, supp., p. 244.
51. i. e., par. No. 12, ibid., p. 248.