851.731/117: Telegram

The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State

137. Secret for the President and Secretary of State. I have just received the following communication from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“You were good enough to communicate to me under date of yesterday telegram of President Wilson expressing desire that the political censorship applied up to the present to press telegrams sent from France to America be completely suppressed. I have the honor to inform you that the French Government is happy to respond to the desire of President Wilson. Dispositions will therefore be taken immediately to suppress all censorship of press telegrams sent from France to the United States. Please accept, et cetera. Signed S. Pichon.”

This is of course very satisfactory. I have taken the measures up with the British authorities through Lord Derby, and I expect to have an answer from them before long. I shall advise the press correspondents informally of the action of the French Government, and request them to advise me of any further interference with their press despatches.

Edward House