File No. 841.857Ar1/128
The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary of State: Your excellency’s kind note No. 1751 of January 20 last,1 in the Baralong case, says nothing of what the American Government has done or thinks of doing in the matter of protecting the rights of its flag.
In view of the fact that the affidavits of American citizens show that the American flag was misused by the British naval forces in murdering German sailors, I have the honor, by direction of my Government, to beg the favor of a statement on the above-mentioned question.
Accept [etc.]
- Not printed.↩