File No. 763.72/2673
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 9, 8 p. m.]
3863. Following inspired article appears in Cologne Gazette:
The German reply to America rejects as unfounded the charges made by America against our brave submarines and deals with the submarine issue with America on a higher plane. The note emphasizes the consciousness of our strength, thereby voicing the feeling of the German people, as also in its reference to Germany’s readiness to conclude a peace guaranteeing our national requirements, on which point frank and open statements have been made by the responsible authorities during the past few months. The note leaves no space for subtle interpretation, but speaks for itself. After mature consideration of all the pertinent circumstances, the German Government has decided to make a large and important concession, not in veiled terms, but frankly and freely, as two great nations speak to each other when it is a question of overcoming a period of distrust and paving the way for more cordial relations. The expectation expressed in the note that now every obstacle in the way of the defense of the freedom of the seas may be considered removed, in the opinion of the Government of the United States also, corresponds with earlier statements by American Secretary of State. If it is made out in some of the papers that our concession is contingent on a condition, this is plainly an erroneous view; we did not merely hold out the prospect of a concession, but immediately effected one by issuing the necessary orders to the German naval forces. We could not question the good will of the American Government, but were obliged to consider the situation which would ensue in the event of their steps not leading to observance of the laws of humanity on the part of all the belligerents. For this reason it was said at the end of the note that in this event we would be confronted by a new situation and would reserve freedom of decision.