A partial naval document signed by 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), as "Woodrow Wilson" at right. Counter-signed by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels (1862-1948), as "Josephus Daniels" at left, as well as a registrar at lower left. Issued from Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1916. Partially printed and partially handwritten on parchment paper. Expected wear including paper folds. An area of abraded paper, accompanied by slight discoloration, is confined to the seal area at the bottom. Trimmed to an overall size of 11" x 5.75."

The United States had not yet joined World War I in 1916, but it was becoming increasingly affected by belligerent nations' wartime policies. In response to a request by President Wilson, the German government agreed to limit unrestricted submarine warfare on May 4, 1916, almost one year to the date of the sinking of the British Cunard Line passenger ship "R.M.S. Lusitania" by a German u-boat. The Germans' conciliatory measure, known as the Sussex Pledge, vowed not to sink non-military ships without first searching and evacuating them. Wilson urged passage of the Naval Act of 1916 the following month, in June 1916. Also known as the "Big Navy Act," the legislation earmarked funds for greatly increasing the U.S. Navy with newly constructed vessels of all sizes, from submarines to battleships. The Naval Act of 1916, in conjunction with its land-based forces counterpart, the National Defense Act of 1916, was designed to bolster American military preparedness.

Woodrow Wilson served as president from 1913 to 1921.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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