Office of the Historian

841.857/256½

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

Washington, December 8, 1916.

My Dear Mr. President: The information which we now have regarding the Marina, Arabia, and other vessels sunk during the past two months seems to me to create a very serious situation in the submarine matter. We took a very definite stand in the Sussex case declaring that we could not continue diplomatic relations with a government which attacked merchant vessels without warning. Germany has done this and attempts to defend her submarine commanders on the ground of mistake, a defense which I do not see how we can accept without receding from our position that there can be no such things as mistakes when American lives are lost or put in jeopardy as a result of the acts of submarine commanders. If we do take that position, and I do not see how we can avoid it, and if we live up to our Sussex declaration, as I feel we are honorably bound to do, what course remains other than to reject the explanations offered and announce that we have no alternative but to break off diplomatic relations?

I feel that a crisis has come in the submarine matter which ought to be met promptly and squarely. We ought not to let the matter drift along with Germany continuing at intervals to sink vessels on which Americans have taken passage. The longer we delay the more frequent I believe will be these outrages and the less regard will Germany give to our declaration in the Sussex case. Delay, in my opinion, will accomplish no ultimate good, as there seems to be a very definite determination on the part of the German Government to make submarine warfare more effective by pursuing more reckless methods, which I am convinced will increase as more submarines are launched.

It is with increasing anxiety that I have seen the progress of events, hoping that in some way the issue might be avoided, for I realize fully how serious a step it will be to sever our relations with Germany. I do not think that we can longer avoid facing the situation with firmness and definitely deciding whether our declaration in the Sussex case will be carried out or abandoned.

The facts, on which the foregoing statements are made, are given in the enclosed memoranda.69 The Marina and Arabia cases are dealt with more fully than those included in the list entitled “Vessels [Page 576] carrying American Citizens sunk by Submarines”, which is a continuation of the list dated November 13, 1916, previously sent you. I would in the list call special attention to the Chemung, the Palermo, and the John Lambert.

I am also sending to you a copy of a letter dated today which I have just received from the German Ambassador.

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing
[Enclosure]

The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State

J. No. A 8230
Washington, December 8, 1916.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: Late yesterday evening I received from Berlin the information about the Arabia, which had already reached you through Mr. Grew and had been published yesterday. I, therefore, need not trouble you today for the purpose of transmitting the information I received.

With reference, however, to our last conversation, I beg to repeat, that my Government has instructed me to put myself at your disposal in view of a speedy and satisfactory settlement of the Marina and Arabia cases. I should, therefore, be very much obliged, if you would kindly let me know confidentially as soon as you have reliable evidence concerning the two cases. My Government has received very little information on these matters, as the state of war makes communication very difficult, and is, therefore, prepared to draw its conclusions from any confidential information you may transmit to me.

I remain [etc.]

J. Bernstorff
  1. Not found in Department files.↩