Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson

In connection with the enclosed memorandum from Mr. Phillips and my recent letter to you on the subject I am now advised that of the 50,000 civilian population of St. Quentin none were found on the entry of the French troops, while the Germans had given the city over to destruction by fire. Of course the removal of the citizens and the setting fire to the city on evacuation were acts without military benefit and appear to have been inspired by malice and vandalism.

Possibly nothing we could say would have any effect in checking this wanton destruction and utterly indefensible removal of civilians who, I think we may presume, are retained for forced labor or to gratify a desire to cause needless suffering. However, it might stay these ruffians if we made a general statement that if these atrocities continued it would be necessary to hold those responsible liable therefor and that it would be impossible to restrain our troops from excesses of a like nature in the event that German cities and villages should fall into the hands of our forces.

I am not sure that this is the best way to deal with this subject, but it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the troops, who have seen the results of this needless cruelty, will be so enraged and bitter that they will retaliate in kind if the opportunity offers which now seems probable. This would be to my mind deplorable as it would bring them down to the level of German brutality and I feel that, as we may expect such acts of revenge if the Germans do not cease their present methods, we should warn them of the consequences by some general statement which will present the possibilities to them.

Enclosure: