Woodrow Wilson: “I hereby establish a War Trade Council”

A recommendation at this time that suitable legislative action should be taken may appear somewhat premature, but in view of the approaching termination of my administration I have brought this matter to your attention, hoping that…

We have been vigorously building up a great merchant marine and providing for improvement of marketing in foreign countries by the passage of an export trade law.

Such a policy is antagonistic to the fundamental principle of equal and exact justice to all.

I herewith call your attention to an agreement with Belgium made by the British and French Premiers and myself.