File No. 763.72/2564
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 8, 7.15 p. m.]
3720. The Reichstag passed the submarine resolution by all against two votes. The Socialist resolution was defeated. Various speakers brought out in the debate that there were differences of opinion on submarine warfare but that they were subordinated to desire for unity.
A Progressive speaker yesterday expressed great admiration for Holland and said of America that her political influence had become vastly more powerful than ever before; that the German people was bound to the American people by many ties and was confident that America would be just to Germany in spite of many disagreeable incidents; the United States could easily perform a great service to humanity by taking calm and deliberate steps to check the conflagration of the World War. The National Liberal speaker, Stresemann, attacked America for being unneutral and said there was bitter feeling against America for shamelessly taking advantage of every opportunity to make money at the expense of bleeding Europe; he considered America’s demand that her citizens should have the right to travel about on armed vessels in the war zone an unjust demand without the meaning of the resolution. Count Westarp of Conservative Party said the German people had already passed judgment on the neutrality of the President and the American Republic which admitted the support of Germany’s enemies with money and ammunition, thus prolonging the war. Germany was quite ready to recognize the just rights of neutrals, but the neutrals must recognize that belligerents have just rights also and no neutral should demand that his right should stand alone and preeminent. The representatives of the Conservative, Clerical, and National Liberal Parties spoke in favor of the annexation of Belgium.
The moderate press as well as the Socialist press interprets the Chancellor’s remarks as meaning that Belgium will be given up after strict guarantees have been agreed upon that Belgium will never again become the seat of any movements hostile to Germany and Germany has received ample colonial territory for the development of her economic power.
The press approves in general of the peace conditions adverted to by the Chancellor, in particular the separation of the Baltic Province and Poland from Russia.
It is pointed out as noteworthy that the Chancellor avoided all reference to France except his tribute to the bravery of the French troops at Verdun.