The Secretary of State to the German Ambassador (Bernstorff)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I am in receipt of your letter of the 22d in regard to the photographing of the crews of the interned German cruisers at Portsmouth, Virginia.
I have had a conversation with the Secretary of the Navy on the subject and we have reached the conclusion that in view of the objections raised by the commanding officers of the cruisers the photographing of the crews will not take place at the present time.
I can assure you that it was with no purpose of humiliating the Germans who are interned that this plan was proposed, but you must realize that the violation of paroles by certain of the officers and members of the crews of these vessels has caused much embarrassment to this Government. I am convinced that you, as well as the commanding officers, are desirous that the honor of the German Navy should be preserved, and that the authorities here should apprehend any who violate their word. As the most expedient and practical plan of accomplishing this was to have the portraits of those who might escape published, it was thought well to photograph all the members of the crew as well as the officers. I can not see, in view [Page 842] of what has occurred, why there should be any objection to this being done, but since it is so we will take other means to prevent a repetition of the escapes, although I consider that the redoubling of the vigilance of our naval authorities is even more humiliation to the interned than to be photographed.
I am [etc.]