File No. 763.72/2111
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10, 12.45 p. m.]
2861. Reported that Admiral Bachmann, Chief of Naval Staff, and always at general headquarters with Emperor, and a Tirpitz man, has been replaced by Admiral Holtzendorff. Latter has a brother who is director of Hamburg-American Line and right-hand man of Ballin. Reported that Von Tirpitz angry at appointment of Holtzendorff, and that last Arabic note was a concession to Von Tirpitz. Von Jagow told me that his conversation with me about Arabic, reported in my 2777, August 25, 4 p. m.,2 was for consumption of American Government only and that he meant if possible to keep it secret here, as public opinion here had to be considered. The [Page 543] whole matter is complicated with internal politics and intrigues here and Von Tirpitz seems able to overrule Chancellor Emperor.