File No. 763.72/2342
The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: With reference to our conversation of Friday morning, I beg to inform you that, to my great regret, I cannot continue our discussion of the Lusitania case because the most important part of my instructions has not arrived. According to the numbers which the telegrams I received through Mr. Gerard bear, one telegram is missing. It must have been lost or detained by our enemies. As you know, my Government has expressed the hope that these missing instructions would make a friendly agreement on the Lusitania case possible. Since they have not arrived, I feel bound to send one more telegram to Berlin, explaining the situation as I see it after our conversation and urging that the instructions be sent immediately. I should, therefore, be very much obliged if you would kindly transmit the enclosed cipher telegram to the German Foreign Office through Mr. Gerard.
I remain [etc.]