841.857 L 97/126½
The German Foreign Office to the German Embassy 95
We have modified submarine war, waged in retaliation against illegal English starvation policy, to meet American wishes. Result was that submarine war lost considerably in efficiency. This was done in consideration of valued friendly relations which Germany desires continued with America. In return we expected that U. S. Government would contend with us for freedom of seas and obtain from England reestablishment of legitimate neutral trade with Germany. The United States on November fifth sent note to England96 to which apparently no reply has been made, at any rate no concessions obtained from England. Instead, British Government recently published White Paper enumerating all measures which tend to cut off Germany from legitimate commerce and to control neutrals. American Note which was very much to the point exposed the illegality of these measures.
Since August last and, even before Germany modified submarine war, if incidents happened they were regrettable mistakes for which due reparation has been made. Germany showed good will by making concessions seriously affecting efficiency of submarine war. England has conceded nothing but instead boasts of more and more success in strangling Germany. We therefore may expect and should be grateful if America at last takes energetic steps to establish real freedom of seas.
- This paper bears the notation: “Handed me by German Amb. Jany 10/16 RL.”↩
- Apparently the note of Oct. 21, 1915, Foreign Relations, 1915, supp., p. 578.↩