File No. 763.72/2366
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 31, 11.10 a. m.]
3409. Forgot to state in my 3406 yesterday that Zimmermann also said that there was no longer any international law, and that anyway the coming of the submarine has made a change in international law necessary. I said that it was statements of that kind which made all other nations fear Germany; that as far as we were concerned Germany could not change the rules of international law during this war without our consent and merely to suit Germany’s needs or convenience. He said that Bernstorff’s proposed note made Germany give up submarine war. I said: “Not at all. You can continue to use submarines, but in notes already sent by you you have agreed to put passengers and crew in safety and not to sink merchant ships without warning.”