File No. 763.72/2324
The Imperial German Embassy presents its compliments to the United
States Department of State and has the honor to enclose here-with a
wireless cipher message to the Foreign Office in Berlin for kind
transmission to the Tuckerton radio station.
Duplicate copies of the text of the message are likewise
enclosed.
[Enclosure—Translation]
The German Ambassador at Washington
(Bernstorff) to the German Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Von Jagow)
274. Reply to wireless No. 179.
Secretary of State writes me:
I have received your letter of to-day telling me that your
Government had mailed to you explicit instructions in the Lusitania case.
It is to be regretted that these instructions were not
telegraphed as the time occupied in transit by the mails may
seriously affect the negotiation. The protracted delay in the
settlement of this controversy, though due to unavoidable
causes, is unfortunate and makes it increasingly difficult to
adjust our differences.
I am convinced that you realize, as I do, that the tension in
this matter is growing every day, that American public opinion
is becoming more bitter and that this state of affairs cannot
continue much longer without the gravest consequences. I fear
that a delay of two weeks will be serious and a satisfactory
adjustment will be well-nigh impossible then.
In order to avoid a situation which would make the task of
negotiating extremely difficult, might I suggest that your
Government repeat the instructions mailed, by telegraph, in
order that we may take up the case immediately? In order to make
this course possible I am willing that the instructions be sent
in cipher through our Embassy at Berlin and this Department, and
you may so advise your Government if you agree with me as to the
advisability of proceeding with a consideration of the case
without further delay.
I agree with and recommend the suggestion of Mr. Lansing.
