Thomas Watt Gregory to Woodrow Wilson

I have your letter of July 23, in which you ask my opinion with reference to Mr. Denman's contention contained in his letter of July 16, thereto attached. Mr. Denman favors judicial proceedings in the nature of prize to determine the ownership of the German vessels lately taken over by this Government. He fears that if these ships enter neutral ports they will be libelled by the former German owners, and that the neutral courts will not respect our governmental title unless supported by the adjudication of a prize court.

Of course, such a situation is possible, but in my judgment not sufficiently probable to warrant an application to Congress for further legislation in aid of judicial process.

You will remember that when the joint resolution authorizing you to seize these ships was under consideration an amendment was offered in the Senate on April 30 directing that any vessel so seized should be condemned in the District Court of the United States in the district in which the same might be. The amendment was lost by a vote of 66 to 3. It is clear, from the history of the resolution, that both Houses of Congress intended to postpone until the conclusion of the war all judicial questions arising in the seizure of these ships. I am not inclined to think Congress could be persuaded at this time to reverse its determination, and certainly it would be unwise to publicly moot the question unless such a program could be successfully carried through.

As a practical matter, is it not possible to avoid the contingency which Mr. Denman anticipates by confining these vessels to trade with allied ports?Believe me,Attorney General.The President, The White House.