Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson

The clear and explicit declaration of war aims contained in your address of January 8th has brought forth no corresponding declaration from the German Government. They have never made a definite statement of terms which would satisfy them, but have preferred to criticize the declarations of their enemies leaving their own aims uncertain. Even in the discussion of the addresses of yourself and of Lloyd George the Imperial Chancellor is, I believe intentionally, ambiguous, vague and careful to avoid making reply to certain propositions which might embarass Germany with her allies.

It seems to me that we are not getting the full benefit of your candid declaration of aims unless we point out that the German Government has never frankly stated their aims and are apparently unwilling to do so. I think that in some way, by an address, a letter or other means, you should challenge them to do this, possibly going so far as to challenge them to answer specific questions such as What is the German purpose as to Belgium? What reparation will Germany make as to the occupied regions of Belgium and France? What is Germany's aim as to Alsace-Lorraine? What is Germany's attitude as to the independence of Poland, and what territories is it proposed to include in the new nation? What is Germany's aim as to the Baltic provinces of Russia? Does Germany insist that Armenia shall remain under Turkish rule and that Palestine shall be restored to the Turks? Questions such as these if unanswered will place Germany in an unenviable light before the world, and I am convinced that they will be unanswered.

It seems to me that there is an opportunity to weaken very materially the German peace propaganda by showing that, while they seek our war aims, they are unwilling to disclose their own.