"Dublin Core:Alternative Title","Dublin Core:Abstract","Dublin Core:Table Of Contents","Dublin Core:Date Available","Dublin Core:Date Created","Dublin Core:Date Accepted","Dublin Core:Date Copyrighted","Dublin Core:Date Submitted","Dublin Core:Date Issued","Dublin Core:Date Modified","Dublin Core:Date Valid","Dublin Core:Access Rights","Dublin Core:License","Dublin Core:Conforms To","Dublin Core:Has Format","Dublin Core:Has Part","Dublin Core:Has Version","Dublin Core:Is Format Of","Dublin Core:Is Part Of","Dublin Core:Is Referenced By","Dublin Core:Is Replaced By","Dublin Core:Is Required By","Dublin Core:Is Version Of","Dublin Core:References","Dublin Core:Replaces","Dublin Core:Requires","Dublin Core:Extent","Dublin Core:Medium","Dublin Core:Bibliographic Citation","Dublin Core:Spatial Coverage","Dublin Core:Temporal Coverage","Dublin Core:Accrual Method","Dublin Core:Accrual Periodicity","Dublin Core:Accrual Policy","Dublin Core:Audience","Dublin Core:Audience Education Level","Dublin Core:Mediator","Dublin Core:Instructional Method","Dublin Core:Provenance","Dublin Core:Rights Holder","Dublin Core:Title","Dublin Core:Creator","Dublin Core:Identifier","Dublin Core:Date","Dublin Core:Description","Dublin Core:Source","Dublin Core:Publisher","Dublin Core:Subject","Dublin Core:Contributor","Dublin Core:Rights","Dublin Core:Relation","Dublin Core:Format","Dublin Core:Language","Dublin Core:Type","Dublin Core:Coverage","Item Type Metadata:Text","Item Type Metadata:Interviewer","Item Type Metadata:Interviewee","Item Type Metadata:Location","Item Type Metadata:Transcription","Item Type Metadata:Local URL","Item Type Metadata:Original Format","Item Type Metadata:Physical Dimensions","Item Type Metadata:Duration","Item Type Metadata:Compression","Item Type Metadata:Producer","Item Type Metadata:Director","Item Type Metadata:Bit Rate/Frequency","Item Type Metadata:Time Summary","Item Type Metadata:Email Body","Item Type Metadata:Subject Line","Item Type Metadata:From","Item Type Metadata:To","Item Type Metadata:CC","Item Type Metadata:BCC","Item Type Metadata:Number of Attachments","Item Type Metadata:Standards","Item Type Metadata:Objectives","Item Type Metadata:Materials","Item Type Metadata:Lesson Plan Text","Item Type Metadata:URL","Item Type Metadata:Event Type","Item Type Metadata:Participants","Item Type Metadata:Birth Date","Item Type Metadata:Birthplace","Item Type Metadata:Death Date","Item Type Metadata:Occupation","Item Type Metadata:Biographical Text","Item Type Metadata:Bibliography","Item Type Metadata:Numeric","Item Type Metadata:Edition Statement","Item Type Metadata:Publication Statement","Item Type Metadata:Note statement","Item Type Metadata:Profile description : Creation","Item Type Metadata:Profile description : Descriptive Rules","Item Type Metadata:Profile description : Language Usage","Item Type Metadata:Revision Description : Change","Item Type Metadata:Revision Description : List","Item Type Metadata:Front matter : Title page","Item Type Metadata:Front matter : Division","Item Type Metadata:On Canvas","Item Type Metadata:Selector","Item Type Metadata:Annotated Region","EAD Archive:Descriptive Identification : Heading","EAD Archive:Descriptive Identification : Note","EAD Archive:Appraisal Information","EAD Archive:Arrangement","EAD Archive:Biography or History","EAD Archive:Index","EAD Archive:Level","EAD Archive:Note","EAD Archive:Other Descriptive Data","EAD Archive:Processing Information","EAD Archive:Scope and Content","EAD Archive:Heading","EAD Archive:Table Head","PDF Text:Text",tags,file,itemType,collection,public,featured ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson","Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928",WWP22137,"1917 December 1",,"Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957",,,,,,,,Text,,"My dear Mr. President

Replying to your request of November 28, for a statement as to any legislation which should be considered by Congress at this session, I enclose memoranda on this subject which are self-explanatory.

In addition to these memoranda I might suggest that, in my opinion, it would be wise if Congress would pass a resolution suspending during the term of the war the so-called Seaman's Act. I understand that Secretary Redfield is strongly in favor of this. Many protests from foreign countries, particularly the Allied countries, have come to my knowledge complaining that as a result of this Act it is impossible to hold seamen on merchant vessels as they are free to desert whenever they please, following their own inclinations whether voluntarily or induced by German intrigue.

In this connection may I also suggest that it would be of great value to this Department if a law could be passed making it perjury for false affidavits to be presented to this Department or any Department of the Government by persons seeking action in support of their interests here or abroad. I understand that there is a provision in the Civil Service law which protects the Commission from misstatements. Such a law for the Department of State would go far in preventing it from being imposed upon by unscrupulous persons. Now, as heretofore, the Department has to rely upon statements in affidavits presented to it as the basis for communications with foreign governments. It is very important, particularly at the present time, that there should be some law requiring persons to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in the sworn statements which they present to the Department in support of their claims.

Enclosure.

R. L.

Faithfully yours,Robert Lansing",,,,,,Letter,,,,,,,,,,,"Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,19171201,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,https://presidentwilson.org/files/original/1055ea9f59387707c5aa4184f300619c.pdf,Text,"World War I Letters",1,0