File No. 763.72/2540
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31, 12.30 a. m.]
3678. The Reichstag Budget Committee met yesterday and discussed the submarine question. Proceedings secret. Official report states that resolutions were explained by Delegate Bassermann, whereupon the Chancellor expressed to the committee the political considerations affecting the question; Admiral von Capelle then described the technical side of the question; a general debate followed; the proceedings will be continued to-day. The Lokal-Anzeiger learns that the Progressive Party introduced in committee resolution that, in view of wonderful accomplishments of the Army and Navy, the Reichstag has full confidence in the authorities continuing to do everything and omit nothing to attain and consolidate an early final victory of the German arms on land and at sea, and that this being the case, the resolutions of the other parties should be passed over, Same party also introduced resolution to amend clerical resolution to read, “Full freedom in the use of this weapon against our enemies will be retained [in] present and future negotiations.” The same paper reports that the speech of the Secretary of the Navy made a profound impression on the members of the committee.
The Frankfurter Zeitung [states that] in the given situation, and in view of England’s violations of international law, every patriotic German desires submarine war to be conducted so as to do more good than harm to the country, and that it is a case beyond all doubt that the great majority of the German people would approve of relentless use of the submarines, if the desired success were sure or even merely probable.