THE WORLD WAR: PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY 167



                             [Enclosure]

Memorandum by the Counselor for the Department of State (Lansing)
  on Professor Hugo Miinsterberg's Letter to President Wilson of
  November 19,1914
                     PRELIMINARY COMMENTS

1. INTERFERENCE OF ALIENS OF BELLIGERENT NATIONALITY IN THE POLITI-
                 CAL AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED STATES

  Regard for the following facts are [is] essential in dealing with
a communication of this sort:
  Professor Hugo MUnsterberg is a German subject. Dr. Bernhard
Dernburg is not only a German subject, but is probably (though the
evidence at hand is not conclusive) a paid agent of the German Gov-
ernment sent to the United States to create sentiment in favor of
Germany. These two are the principal leaders in arousing antagonism
in this country to the policy of the Administration in its relations to
the belligerent nations.
  These two foreign writers have severely criticised this Government's
conduct of its foreign affairs, have made charges unfounded in fact
or in law, have distorted the truth, and have bitterly assailed the
President and the Department of State for alleged injustice to Ger-
many and undue friendliness for the cause of the Allies. In pursuing
this campaign of misrepresentation and vilification they have done so
by means of addresses and publications which have been widely cir-
culated throughout the country relying upon the freedom of speech
and of the press guaranteed to the people by the Constitution. If
such criticisms and attacks by aliens had been made in Germany upon
the German Government even in time of peace, they would un-
doubtedly have been summarily suppressed. The impropriety of such
attempts by foreigners to influence citizens of the United States in
their attitude toward the established Government is manifest.
  Open participation in the discussion of our domestic politics and
of our foreign policies by agents of a European monarchy, whether
they are official or self-appointed, cannot but arouse antagonism to a
power who will permit its subjects to forget their obligations as alien
visitors owing a temporary allegiance to the United States and to
seek openly to create political opposition to the Government.
  The American people never have and never will brook foreign inter-
ference in their public affairs. They resent, and properly resent,
foreign support or opposition when a policy of this Government is