THE W)ORLD WAR : PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY  637



, 63.7.2/3761ic
            The Secretary of State to President Wilson

                                     WASHINGTON, April 4, 1917.
  MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I send you a draft of a proclamation
combining the one prepared by me and the one suggested by the
Attorney General.34
  Frankly I do not like the idea of one proclamation because the
two original proclamations are addressed to different classes the one
citizens; the other, aliens.
  As a matter of preference I would issue the proclamation of the
state of war at once on the adoption of the resolution by Congress and
let the one dealing with enemy aliens issue on the next day. It seems
to me that the force gai-ied by a short proclamation such as the one
addressed to the American people is lost by appending statutory pro-
visions and regulations governing aliens.
  I have, with this idea of two proclamations in mind, re-drafted the
first part of the proclamation suggested by the Attorney General to
fit the circumstance Of the previous issuance of a proclamation de-
daring a state of war.
  As soon as You can return the papers indicating which course you
desire to follow We will prepare the same for signature.
      Faithfully yours,
                                                ROBERT LANSING

763,72/3762i
            Preside'nt IVilson to the Secretary of RState

                                     WASHINGTON, 4 April, 1917.
  MY DEAR MiR. SECRETARY: I think that two proclamations would
be a mistake. They would make the impression that we had several
agencies at work and did not know how to do the thing in right
cooperation, or, else, that we were a little rattled and were firing
proclamations in volleys!
  The Single proclamation seems to me admirably constructed and
I hope that you will have it perfected so soon as the Congress has
acted, and published immediately.
  I would be obliged if you would cooperate with the Attorney-
General in the matter. He must act upon the proclamation through
his Marshals and act as promptly as possible. He may wish to send
copies at once to these officers.
      Faithfully Yours,
                                                         W.W.

 Draft not printed; for the proclamation as issued, see Foreign Relations,
 1918, supp. 2, p. 165.