600.119/399
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I enclose to you a letter from Sir Cecil Spring Rice to Mr. Polk, dated August 11th,34 and also a formal communication from Sir Cecil to me, which was received yesterday.35
These communications mean that the British Government is willing to go as far as we desire in the matter of restricting exports to neutrals, and are giving it, as I understand, for the purpose of preventing this Government from bearing all the blame for any drastic action which may be determined upon.
As it all enters into the general policy concerning which I have not yet had an opportunity to talk with you I express no opinion in regard to it at the present time.
Faithfully yours,