File No. 763.72/2521
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23, 3 p. m.]
3654. The Socialists have introduced the following resolution in the Reichstag:
Resolved to submit the following declaration to the Imperial Chancellor:
The Reichstag expresses the hope that in the negotiations concerning the use of submarines everything will be avoided which might injure the just interests of neutral countries and result in unnecessary accentuation of the severity and of the extent of the war.
The Reichstag expects that the Government will do everything in its power to bring about an early peace which shall guarantee the integrity of the Empire, its political independence and freedom of economical development.
The agitation of the Tirpitz clique against the Chancellor and in favor of relentless submarine warfare has assumed considerable proportions in spite of semiofficial squelchers. Thus the conservative [Page 211] Kreuz Zeitung comes out squarely with a statement that the over-whelming majority of the German people is behind Tirpitz and his policies and is clamoring for direct assurances that his resignation does not mean any relaxation in the conduct of the war.
A petition to the Reichstag calling for relentless use of the submarines against England has been distributed broadcast for signature by Professor Schaefer of the Berlin University. The moderate press is unanimous in condemning these methods.
Professor Hoetzsch writes in the Kreuz Zeitung that the Chancellor must soon decide whether to capitulate to American submarine question or to insist on the principles for which he has contended, as Germany can no longer tolerate such a permanent element of friction resulting from the unbending hostile attitude of the United States.