File No. 763.72/2498

The Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

3624. Following semiofficial notice appears in this morning’s papers:

A rumor is continually and assiduously being spread abroad in wide circles of the population to the effect that submarine warfare of increased severity, as announced in the well-known memorandum of the Imperial Government to [Page 206] the neutral powers, would not be carried out or would be postponed. These assertions are utterly untrue. No delay or respite in this submarine warfare has ever been considered by any responsible authorities. It is being conducted in full force.

Gerard