763.72/2371½

The German Embassy to the Department of State

J. Nr. A 627

The Imperial German Embassy presents its compliments to the United States Department of State and has the honor to enclose herewith one wireless cipher message, in duplicate, to the Foreign Office in Berlin for kind transmission to the Tuckerton Station.

Duplicate copies of the message in plain English are likewise enclosed.

[Enclosure—Telegram]

The Austro-Hungarian Chargé ( Zwiedinek ) to the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Office

Nº 34. With reference to my radiogram Nº 21. For Baron Burian:

Italian liner Verona two 77 mm. guns on stern arrived New York will be allowed clearance on similar assurance as for Verdi. Secretary of State informed me however confidentially that justly measuring gravity of issue for Central Powers he has approached Allies in order to induce them to abstain from arming merchantships against promise already given and counted upon to provide for safety of passengers and crew. Secretary would welcome it if Central Powers now came forward with declaration that merchantmen with one or more guns will be treated as auxiliary cruisers. I understand however that he expects—and Count Bernstorff as well as I would strongly recommend this—that we postpone corresponding instructions to submarine commanders for a reasonable time say one month in order to ascertain if modus vivendi proposed by Secretary will not be agreed to.

Zwiedinek