File No. 763.72/1887
The Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21, 3.10 p. m.]
2465. Think German note not yet drafted. Probably will be again dilatory and lay much weight on alleged use of neutral flags to lure [Page 443] German submarines to destruction and on fact that British merchant vessels were encouraged to try to ram submarines. Our naval attaché, Gherardi, informed confidentially that on June 10 near Long Stone Lighthouse a ship under Swedish flag tried to ram a German submarine and succeeded in carrying away periscope and that this boat was accompanied by an English destroyer. Think you can get confirmation of this from Swedish Government. Newspapers publish articles stating U–29 sunk in March commanded by Weddigen probably rammed by English merchant ship. Von Tirpitz is in town.