File No. 763.72/2692
The Acting Secretary of State to the German Ambassador (Bernstorff)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of May 12, 1916, wherein you advise the Department of the action of the Dutch steamer Bandoeng, in January last, in turning, at a higher speed, on a German submarine, in order to shorten the [Page 269] visitation formalities, and point out that in this incident your Government finds occasion to suggest to neutral governments that the masters of their merchant ships be given to understand that in the event of their being stopped by German public vessels “the provisions of international law must be observed to the letter and that their special attention be called to the dangers incurred by turning their ships on a submarine.”
In reply I have the honor to say that a translation of your note has been sent to the Secretary of Commerce, for the information of American shipping.
The contents of your note were embodied in a statement given to the press by the Department on May 16.
Accept [etc.]