File No. 763.72111/600

The Secretary of State to the German Ambassador ( Bernstorff )

No. 1121]

Excellency: Referring to your note of October 31, 1914, with reference to the report that certain belligerent governments are arranging to purchase, in a roundabout way, a large number of the Krag-Jörgensen rifles owned by this Government, I have the honor to inform you that the Secretary of War has advised this Department that these rifles, which were replaced by the present Army rifle, were up to a recent period salable under certain circumstances. [Page 576] He adds, however, that in view of the situation in Mexico and later in view of the European wars he has absolutely discontinued the sale of any of these rifles to any one.

Accept [etc.]

W. J. Bryan