763.72/2012½: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 4—8:15 a. m.]
2670. A man who is at general headquarters informed a friend of mine of following conversation with the Emperor:
“The Emperor talked to him for an hour and a half on many subjects. He is very angry with America and Americans; thinks that President Wilson is absolutely pro-English; talked for a long time regarding the export of arms and ammunition; said that the war would have been over four months ago but for America’s assistance to the Allies; said that we had forbidden the export of arms and ammunition to Mexico; we should do the same for the whole of Europe.
“Man interposed, ‘But international law,’ whereupon the Emperor angrily retorted, ‘There is no international law.’
“Man remarked that Germany had given ammunition to Russia in the Russo-Japanese war. ‘Yes,’ said the Emperor; ‘because the Russians were fighting against a yellow race.’
“He said it was a crime that his brave educated men were being killed by black and yellow men; that he was disappointed in the Anglo-Saxon race; that they were egging on the yellow races; that China was finished.
[Page 124]“England was responsible for the war. England fully intended to retain Calais after the war; the French Government recently went there and were flabbergasted to find it turned into a British colony; the French were afraid of the British fleet.
“Conscription in England was wholly ridiculous; this could only be built up after generations; it was absurd starting it in the middle of a war. Man remarked that we had done this in our Civil war and it enabled us to defeat the South.
“‘Yes,’ said the Emperor; ‘but that war lasted four years.’
“The Emperor seemed full of confidence; modestly said that after this war Europe would have to be entirely rebuilt and he was sixty years old.
“He seems to be so carefully surrounded by his officers that he is misinformed on many subjects.”
Above is reliable but please do not inform anyone except the President as it might be traced to source and cause great trouble.