File No. 763.72/2431
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 26, 5 p. m.]
3530. Press publishes report bill will be introduced in Congress to prohibit Americans from receiving passports for travel aboard armed liners, although President would veto such a bill if passed, having already stated he would insist on the right of Americans to travel on whatever vessels they choose, and would demand that ship armed for defense shall not be torpedoed without warning.
Various papers quote article in Staats Zeitung relative to the Caserta, an armed Italian steamer, stated to have armament manned by trained gun crew and whose captain is alleged to have stated he was after submarines.
[Page 179]Frankfurter Zeitung gives interview with high naval officer who sums up views of Von Tirpitz clique as to advantages and disadvantages of war with America. As against argument advanced by statesmen that war with America would mean loss of German merchant vessels in American ports, greatly increased financial support of enemy, greatly increased tendency to [supply] ammunition to them, and unfavorable effect upon Roumania and Greece, naval officers urge that if war comes they can sink without warning any vessels in sight and starve out England in two months; the neutrals would probably denounce Germany as barbarous but England has continually disregarded all neutral property, and Germany, in fighting for her life, need not pay any more heed to neutral protests than her enemy. The Yankees would not have any time to send more ammunition or money, for England would be completely blockaded and starved into submission. This would soon end the war and we could demand that England surrender her whole fleet, thus making Germany’s fleet seven times as strong as America’s. America would then, be forced to give in and Germany could make it a condition that she should return all the German ships and pay all the war costs of Germany and her allies. Roumania and Greece would have no time to do anything. The statesmen answered that there was no guarantee that things would turn out in this way and that they could not assume the responsibility for any such vabanque game. The reply of the Navy was that they were sure of success for their part and could only take as their motto, “Nothing ventured nothing gained.”