File No. 763.72/1450
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 14, 9.20 a. m.]
1575. I am convinced that the hate campaign here against America was at least to some extent approved by the Government; otherwise a conservative newspaper like the Cologne Gazette would never have dared to suggest the use of brute force against America, and the Lokal Anzeiger of Berlin, a paper of wide circulation which has printed many very unfriendly articles, is the property of syndicate of men closely connected with the German Government, among them a present Prussian Minister. Further, the continuance of hate articles has been permitted.
Secretary State for Foreign Affairs in an interview with American correspondent takes the attitude that an American ship in waters proclaimed by Germany as war district would run exactly same risks as an American citizen under fire on a battleship. I think German Government is serious in intention to destroy any such ships without examination of papers.