| Summary: | In the first letter, written January 10, 1916, Statham gives support for the British blockade in Europe, which allowed the United States to trade only with Allied powers: "But you know if it was not for the Great English Navy our farmers would not be getting 5 cents for their cotton our mills and factories would be closed and this would mean empty dinner pails. If we desire success...we have got to keep the dinner pail full." He asks Bankhead to work in Congress "to keep peace in the family and for Gods [sic] sake keep out of this war." In the second letter, written January 14, Bankhead mentions the conflicting views within Congress, and he refers to the recent execution of American citizens by Pancho Villa (an act that has "put the President's 'Watchful Waiting' policy on the defensive"). He affirms his belief in President Wilson's foreign policy, noting that "We have as many jingoes in Congress as statesmen, and no one can tell what the result will be if Congress gets to legislating on our foreign relations." At the time these letters were written, Bankhead was representing Alabama in the United States Senate.
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