763.72/2650½: Telegram
The German Foreign Office to the German Embassy 45
J. No. A 2813/16
We are now conducting submarine war absolutely in accordance with general principles of International Law. Only exception is commerce war against enemy freight ships in English war-zone. This is only aimed at destruction of ships but we try to save human lives as far as possible. This retaliatory step against English starvation policy does not touch interests of neutrals as neutral passengers on enemy freight ships manifestly try to render futile German war measure and as neutral members of crew are brought into relation of dependents on state whose flag ship flies; consequently both neutral passengers and crew on enemy freight ships lose neutral character. We, therefore, never gave any promises regarding enemy freight ships in war-zone.
Instructions to submarine commanders regarding their proceeding and observance of all our assurances are so precise that according to human foresight errors are excluded and certainly not more possible than in ordinary naval war; furthermore submarine commanders are instructed not to attack ships when in doubt. A ruthless submarine war would certainly have greatly increased loss in enemy ships; for this reason alone all doubts whether our instructions are meant seriously and strictly carried out bona fide are without foundation.
[Page 555]We have modified submarine war to maintain friendly relations with America sacrificing important military advantages and in contradiction to excited public opinion here.
We, therefore, trust that American Government will appreciate this and not put forward new demands which might bring us into an impossible situation.
In order to correct errors apparently existing in American press I state that we have not suggested arbitration Sussex case but commission of inquiry to establish facts which are different.
- This paper bears the notation: “Handed me by German Amb., April 18/16 4 pm RL.”↩