Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928

Identifier

WWP25178

Date

1918 September 1918

Description

President Wilson should respond to reports of terrorism in Russia.

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

Soviet Union--History--Revolution, 1917-1921
United States--Foreign relations--Russia
Morgenthau, Henry, 1856-1946

Contributor

Danna Faulds

Relation

WWP25179

Language

English

Provenance

Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.

Text

Dear Mr. President:

In view of the telegrams received yesterday revealing that a state of terrorism exists in Moscow and Petrograd through which thousands of innocent Russian citizens are being killed, it occurs to me that it might be desirable for this Government to do what it can to prevent a continuance of this terrible state of affairs. I am anxious to avoid any semblance of political interference but rather to base our action purely on the ground of humanity and as acting in behalf of the Russian people themselves who are the victims of these crimes.

There are two courses which seem practicable:

  1. A circular telegram to the neutral countries of the world, as suggested in the accompanying draft,
  2. A statement to be issued by you to the American people, a copy of which could be communicated to the various neutral governments as an expression of the views of the American people.

I might add that in the case of the Armenian massacres, this Government sent an expression of its aversion through Ambassador Morgenthau. Then, however, we had a Government with which to deal but in the case of Russia we are unable to act in so direct a manner. The Armenian massacres, however, might nevertheless be considered as a precedent to follow at the present time.

I would be grateful if you would kindly indicate your views.

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing


Enclosure.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WWI1176.pdf

Collection

Citation

Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928, “Robert Lansing to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 September 1918, WWP25178, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.