THE WORLD WAR: PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY 581



763.72111/4469i
            President Wilwon to the Secretary of State

                                 WASHINGTON, 24 January, 1917.
  My DEAR MR. SECRErARY: It is only too probable that Gerard's con-
jectures in this matter are well founded. I wonder if you have come
to any fixed conclusion in your own mind as to whether the recent
practices of the British in regard to the arming of their merchantmen
force upon us an alteration of our own position in that matter.
      Faithfully Yours,
                                                         W.W.

763.72111/4470i
            President Vilson to the Secretary of State

                                 WASHINGTON, 31 January, 1917.
  MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: This is, to my mind, quite the most puz-
zling and difficult question we have had to deal with.7 It is becoming
pretty clear to me that the British are going beyond the spirit, at any
rate, of the principles hitherto settled in regard to this matter and
that the method in which their ship captains are instructed to use their
guns has in many instances gone beyond what could legitimately be
called defense. It appears that they have more than once attacked.
The question is more whether their guns have been used only for de-
fense than whether they exceed in calibre what would reasonably con-
stitute armament for defense and whether their being mounted in
the bow is a presumption that they are to be used for offense. I would
be glad to know the progress of your own thought in this matter.
      Faithfully Yours,
                                                         W.W.

763.72/3179
           The Secretary of State to President Wilson 79

                                 WASHINGTON, January 31,1917.
  MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I am convinced from our telegrams from
Gerard as well as from the press statements which I am confidentially
advised emanate from the German Embassy that the German Govern-
ment intends to renew unrestricted submarine warfare in the near
future. If this conviction is correct, we are going to face a serious

7" i. e., the activities of armed merchant ships.
"This paper bears the notation: "I was writing this letter when
the German
Amb. brought in the German declaration of this date, so the letter was never
finished. Robert Lansing." For the German declaration referred to, see
Foreign Relations, 1917, supp. 1, p. 97.