701.6211/280½a

The Acting Secretary of State to the German Ambassador ( Bernstorff )

My Dear Mr. Ambassador: The President is much annoyed over an interview in the Evening Star of September 23rd, which purported to have been given by Baron von Schoen, a Secretary of your Embassy, and which related to the unfriendly public opinion of the Japanese people for the United States.

Although Baron von Schoen on the 24th publicly denied over his own signature that the interview was correct, or that the views expressed therein conformed to the statement which he made, and although the denial was personally called to my attention by its author, Baron von Schoen admits in his letter of denial that he made some statement to the reporter in regard to this subject.

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However disposed the President is to recognize the liability of error in a newspaper report of an oral statement, he cannot but feel that a statement at any time by a diplomatic officer of a foreign government, as to the relations of the United States with another Power, is indiscreet and improper. A statement on such a subject at the present time, when the United States is seeking to preserve a strict neutrality, if it tends to influence American public opinion against one of the belligerents in the war which is being waged, is especially mischievous and arouses suspicion as to the motive which inspired it.

I regret, my dear Mr. Ambassador, to be compelled to call this matter to your attention, and I have done so in this informal way in order that you may take the first convenient opportunity to call at the Department and discuss the propriety of Baron von Schoen’s conduct.

I am [etc.]

Robert Lansing