File No. 763.72/3071
The Chargé in Germany (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15, 6.45 p. m.]
4735. Press summary. The Conservative and the National Liberal Parties have issued statements expressing disapproval of the failure of the Government to make known its concrete peace terms before making the peace offer and of its taking the whole matter out of the hands of the Reichstag, which was not even permitted to discuss a matter of such gravity. The Conservative statement adds that the Emperor’s order to his military and naval forces strengthens the party in its conviction that the fight will be continued with the full use of all weapons on land and sea.
Tägliche Rundschau refers to the case of the Caledonia which tried to ram a German submarine, and to the reports that England is to augment the armament of her merchantmen, and inquires if America is going to hesitate any longer to take steps against the illegal armament and conduct of English merchant vessels; if America continues to stand aside she will lose all right to protest against the merciless destruction of such vessels regardless of whether they have American guardian angels on board or not.