File No. 763.72/2655
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7, 9.30 a. m.]
3852. Looking over my 38391 I also recall that the Emperor spoke of England’s stopping cargoes bound for Germany through neutral countries. I said I might be wrong but I thought that during our Civil War England had sent cargoes really intended for the South to Mexican ports and that we had stopped these cargoes, and that England had conceded the point, making it difficult for us to insist on a contrary ruling now. In addition to saying that Lusitania was warned, the Emperor said England was really responsible, as English had made the Lusitania go slowly in English waters so that the Germans could torpedo it and so bring on trouble.