File No. 841.857Ar1/128
The Secretary of State to the German Ambassador ( Bernstorff )
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note Nr. A 2346,1 of April 2, 1916, in which you request a statement as to what action this Government has taken or intends to take with regard to the alleged misuse of the American flag by the Baralong while firing on a German submarine.
In reply I have the honor to inform your excellency that in view of the fact that the statements made in the depositions received by the Department in this case differ so materially in certain respects, the Department has not felt warranted, on such contradictory evidence, in taking up the matter with the British Government.
Accept [etc.]