Office of the Historian

File No. 763.72/1773

The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]
Berlin, May 18, 1915, 5 p. m.
[Received May 19, 9.15 a. m.]

2253. I do not expect Lusitania note for some days, possibly not this week. From what I gather, it will be long and based largely on argument that Germany cannot permit ammunition to kill hundreds of thousands of Germans brought to Allies on belligerent boats protected from submarine attack by presence of American passengers. Chancellor addressed Reichstag to-day but referred to prospects of an early settlement Italian question.

Gerard