File No. 763.72/1545
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received March, 5, 3.40 p. m.]
1753. Informed on good authority that Zimmermann and Chancellor were in favor of accepting American proposal without change but that all matters now really in military and naval hands and that Admiral von Tirpitz did not want England to accept our proposal and therefore added conditions of Declaration of London so as to make acceptance impossible. Chancellor not as popular or in such high favor with Emperor as Von Tirpitz who with Falkenhayn, Chief of General Staff, decides everything. Emperor is very bitter against America on account of delivery of arms.