The Third Assistant Secretary of State (Phillips) to the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador (Dumba)
Washington,
September 8, 1915.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: In reply to your letter of this morning, I find to my regret that the translation of your communication to Vienna was forwarded to us from London in a secret cipher, and as it is contrary to our rules to furnish the actual texts of such messages, I have no other alternative than to send you a paraphrase thereof.
Trusting that you will understand the reasons for my inability to comply more precisely with your request, I am [etc.]
William Phillips