THE LANSING PAPERS, 1914-1920, VOLUME I



would be necessary to warn Americans to keep away from the seas
infested by its piratical craft.
  Second: To follow up the severance of relations by announcing to
Congress this action with a statement that Germany has forfeited
every consideration by reason of her breach of faith, that the full
criminality of her previous acts is revived and that no other honorable
course remains but for this country to employ every resource which
it possesses to punish the guilty nation and to make it impotent to
commit in the future crimes against humanity.
  The first course has certain advantages in that, while we would
not be at war, we would be in a position to do certain things which
we cannot do now consistently with strict neutrality. Furthermore
it would give time for consideration as to the advisable steps to be
taken afterward for I feel convinced that Germany will not declare
war on the breaking off intercourse. As to the suggested warning of
Americans, we could do it with propriety if we declare Germany
outlaw, something which could not be done as long as we treated her
as a friend. It has this disadvantage, which requires very careful
consideration and may make it inadvisable, namely, that it will
accomplish the very purpose which Germany sought a year ago by
keeping American ships and citizens from going to Great Britain
and her allies. So that it would result in Germany obtaining by
threat of lawless action what she was unable to obtain through
friendly negotiation.
  The second course has these advantages. It amounts to a frank
declaration that an outlaw Government is an enemy of mankind,,
and will show that the present military oligarchy must be eliminated
for the sake of civilization and the future peace of the world. It
will influence other neutrals far more than the less vigorous course
and will, in my opinion, induce them to follow such action, which I
do not think they will do unless they are certain we are willing to
go the limit. It will leave us some friends after the war. It will
do more to end the war than anything that can be done. It will give
this country a prominent place in the peace negotiations which will
prevent unjust treatment of the Central Powers and will be decidedly
for their interests. It will give tremendous moral weight to the
cause of human liberty and the suppression of Absolutism. It will
remove all charge of weakness of policy and satisfy, I believe, our
own people. (This latter advantage is not of great importance but
the benefit of popular support is not to be ignored.)
  In brief these are my views as to the two courses open to us if sever-
ance of diplomatic relations takes place.9oa
      Faithfully yours,
                                                ROBERT LANSING

 90a For correspondence previously printed regarding the severance of diplo-
 matic relations with Germany, see Foreign Relation8, 1917, supp. 1, pp.
1060112.



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