THE LANSING PAPERS, 1914-1920, VOLUME I



  It is a matter of such importance, however, that we are anxious
to have you go over it carefully and suggest any changes in phrase-
ology or any additions or subtractions that you may think wise.
  It does seem as if they24 could do everything required for the
protection of their rights without the great and constant injury
which has been done to shipping.
  We have had' a similar- experience in regard to communication by
cable.  We have many complaints of innocent cables being un-
delivered and the senders-have not even been notified of the failure
to deliver, so thatgreat loss has been occasioned. This we have
recently brought to the attention of the Government in another
telegram,25 but the proposed telegram  which I am enclosing goes
over the whole subject more fully than we have heretofore done.
  The enclosed clippings-" indicate the public criticism that is being
directed toward the policy of the British Government.
  With assurances [etc.]                            W. J. BRYAN

763.72112/545k
             President Wilson to the Secretary of State

                                WASHINGTON, 26 December, 1914.
  MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: This paper is much improved and I am
glad to give it my sanctioner
  I think it might be wise to send our Ambassador in London a cipher
copy of the despatch from our Ambassador in Rome28 which speaks
of the change of sentiment which is taking place in Italy; and to sug-
gest to him that he might, in his discretion, make unofficial and confi-
dential use of it in his conversations with the British Foreign Office.
Very likely the British representative at Rome has apprised his gov-
ernment of these things, but Walter Page ought to have the informa-
tion in his possession.
      Cordially and faithfully Yours,
                                               WOODROW WILSON

 > i. e., the British Government.
 25Foreign Relations, 1914, supp., p. 526.
 2"Not enclosed with file copy of this letter.
 I Telegram No. 836, Dec. 26, 1914, to the Ambassador in Great Britain, Foreign
 Relations, 1914, supp., p. 372.
 A memorandum attached to this note in Mr. Lansing's hand reads as follows:
 "Department's instruction No. 886 to London, Dec. 26, 1914, 4 pm.
 "An original draft was made about the 20th by Johnson. This I revised
and
 changes were then made by the Secy. It was then submitted to the President
who thought that it was too abrupt.
"On its return I drafted a new instruction incorporating two changes
suggested
by Johnson. It was approved by the Secy and sent to the President. With
certain changes shown by pen insertions the redraft was approved and sent.
Robert Lansing 12/29/14."
8 Foreign Relations, 1914, supp., p. 156.



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