763.72/2236½
The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to
the Secretary of State
Cedarhurst N. Y.,
October 2, 1915.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: With regard to our
conversation about the Arabic incident this
morning I beg to say that according to my instructions the report of
Commander Schneider of our submarine and the German affidavits have been
sent to you through the American Embassy in Berlin. If you should not
have received them, I will be glad to send you a copy.
In this same envelope I have pleasure in sending you my tentative letter
about the Lusitania incident.
I remain [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Tentative Letter From the German Ambassador
(Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State
60
Cedarhurst N. Y.,
October 2, 1915.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Prompted by the
desire to reach an amicable understanding about the Lusitania incident my Government has given me
the following instructions:
The attack on the Lusitania formed part of the
reprisals enacted by my Government against Great Britain on account
of her unlawful starvation policy. In our opinion such reprisals
were amply justified by the inhuman British warfare. At that time
the Imperial Government had not yet issued the instructions which
now regulate our submarine warfare and according to which the Arabic case was settled. Even then, however,
it was not the intention of the Imperial Government that our
reprisals should lead to the loss of the lives of non-combatants. My
Government has, therefore, on previous occasions expressed its deep
regret that American lives should have been lost on the Lusitania.
As you know, the Imperial government does not acknowledge any
liability to grant an indemnity in the matter. However, in a spirit
of friendship and conciliation the Imperial Government is prepared
to submit the question of liability to pay indemnity to the Hague
Tribunal.
In your note of July 21st concerning the Lusitania incident61 the Government of the United States
invited the practical cooperation of the Imperial German Government
in contending for the principle of the freedom of the seas, and you
added that this great object could
[Page 485]
in some way be accomplished before the present
war ends. I am instructed to say that the Imperial Government will
at all times gladly cooperate with the Government of the United
States for the purpose of accomplishing this great common
object.
I remain [etc.]
