File No. F.W.462.11T41
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard )
[Telegram]
Washington
,
April 6, 1915, 4 p. m.
1471. American citizen reported drowned when British steamship Falaba was sunk March 28 by German submarine. Has there been [Page 359] official report of incident? If not, can you obtain by discreet and unofficial inquiries German account, and particularly reason for torpedoing Falaba before crew and passengers had time to withdraw in boats to a distance from vessel sufficient to insure safety when Falaba sank? You are urgently requested to report as soon as possible.
Bryan