Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson

I thought over last night what course we should take in dealing with the communication which we have been warned will arrive via Spain. It seems to me we might do this: Give the text to our principal cobelligerents and say to them that through the same channel as we received the communication we intend to reply by asking whether the document has been submitted to the German Government and, if so, whether it meets with its approval as no answer could be made until we are advised of German knowledge or ignorance of Austria's action.

This would furnish an acknowledgement to Austria without saying we have the communication under consideration, and I cannot see how it would arouse any suspicion or cause any offense among the Allies. Then which ever way Austria replies we will be in a position to do as we please for either reply offers possibilities since we can avoid giving any indication which one we desire.