File No. 763.72/2403
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5.40 p. m.]
563. In informal conversations learn from British Ambassador and from Minister for Foreign Affairs that our note suggesting disarming merchant vessels considered wholly favorable to Germany on our part and acceptance by Allies most improbable. British Ambassador spoke of his Government’s painful surprise. Minister for Foreign Affairs referred to new doctrine of legalizing sinking merchant vessels; thinks German-Austrian note regarding treating as war vessels, defensively armed merchant vessels, first result of American note; thinks America would be among first sufferers. He stated that if sinking unarmed merchant vessels should be held illegal, as heretofore, then disarming of merchant vessels might be debatable.