File No. 763.72/2402
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 13, 4.30 p. m.]
3482. Budget Committee of the Prussian House of Delegates passed resolution on 9th instant requesting president of the House to inform the Chancellor that the committee would consider it injurious to the interests of the country if the position taken by the [Page 168] Imperial Government vis-à-vis America should result in any restriction of their freedom to take up at a suitable date unrestricted and therefore fully effective submarine warfare against England.
The German press fully approves of the memorandum of the Imperial Government relative to armed merchantmen. It is generally pointed out that only armed merchantmen are liable to destruction, but the rabid press maintains that all enemy merchantmen are to be treated as belligerents, armament being the rule and not the exception, since it is impossible for submarines to inspect each vessel on the chance that she might not be armed.
The Frankfurter Zeitung, in a leader quoted by the North German Gazette, writes that Germany’s rights in the matter are unquestionable and that it has now been found opportune to make use of those rights. In the future even enemy liners which are armed with artillery may be sunk. America is now afforded an opportunity to cooperate in definitely regulating maritime warfare. The proposals of the Secretary of State reported in the press a short time ago are well worth considering. If the Secretary is really serious with his proposals and succeeds in establishing in London his pre-condition that the Allies undertake to disarm their merchantmen, then the wishes and intentions of Germans and Americans are along identical lines. The American Government will not have to follow up its words with action. The manner in which we are to conduct submarine warfare in the future will depend on what diplomatic success against our adversaries Mr. Lansing will have to show in the armament question.