841.857 Ar 1/9½b
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: The interview with the German Ambassador on the Arabic case took place at noon today. I believe that he fully appreciates the gravity of the situation and is very anxious about the outcome. I also believe that he will do anything in his power to have his Government take the steps necessary to change the situation.
We discussed the German note on the Arabic and I pointed out to him very explicitly the objectionable features which made it impossible for us to reply to it in its present form. I told him that the attack upon the Arabic and the unconditional support of the submarine commander’s conduct by his Government made the Ambassador’s acceptance of the principle insisted upon by the United States as valueless. He replied that he understood perfectly that such must be our feeling; that he had done all he could to prevent such a crisis as the present; and that he was greatly disappointed at what had occurred. He said that all the information which his Government had, of course, was the report of the submarine commander and that he wished they might know of the evidence which we possessed, and which I had read to him. I told him that in view of the critical state of affairs the Government was disposed to transmit for him a cipher message to his Government in order that he might explain fully the situation, and that we would send to Ambassador [Page 481] Gerard, at von Bernstorff’s request, a summary of the evidence which we had in regard to the Arabic.
I pointed out to him at the same time that the Arabic note did not disclose that any report had been received from the submarine commander, and if the statements were based on such a report I thought that his Government should so inform us.
I said that the instructions to the submarine commander had never been revealed to us except in the most general terms, and, therefore, we did not know what discretionary powers had been conferred upon the commander.
The Ambassador seemed particularly grateful for our willingness to transmit a message for him and said that he would impress upon his Government the seriousness of the present situation.
I also said that such a mistake as was made by the officer who attacked the Arabic made this Government very doubtful as to the efficacy of the instructions.
He said that he realized that that must be so and that he was very much distressed at what had happened that he was not sure that he could accomplish what was desired; but that he would use every effort to do so.
I also said to him that I thought the German Government should broaden its declaration so as to include all merchant vessels and not be limited to passenger steamers; that in the past the practice of the German submarines has been to warn freight vessels and I could not see why an exception should be made in their case as to the general principle, since some of these freighters might have American citizens in their crews. He replied that he would do what he could to obtain such an extension of the principle which his Government had announced.
We also spoke of the matter of arbitration and I said to him that I thought it was valueless at the present time to discuss it because I considered the evidence was so clear in the case of the Arabic that we could not arbitrate the justification of the submarine commander and that the only question left was the amount of indemnity; that I thought his Government should admit that the mistake was without justification and disavow the act of the officer; and that it would then be a proper time to discuss whether or not we could arbitrate the amount of indemnity which Germany should pay.
The whole attitude of the Ambassador was conciliatory and an evidence of willingness to do anything to avoid a rupture between the two Governments. I think I may say he was extremely “docile”. There was none of the aggressiveness which he has shown on other occasions. He seemed to be much depressed, and doubtful as to what he could accomplish with his Government.
[Page 482]He did not mention his desire to have an audience with you and I did not think it worth while to inform him that at the present it would be impossible for you to see him.
Faithfully yours,