File No. 763.72/2942
The Chargé in Germany (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 13, 4.30 p. m.]
4467. Confidential reports state that German naval officers in a body have signed a petition to the Emperor asking for immediate resumption of submarine warfare without consideration for neutral rights as being the only way to win the war. Admiral Scheer supports this position in a letter to the Emperor confidentially communicated to the Embassy from a reliable source. Résumé of letter is as follows:
High sea battles may damage the enemy but would not force England to make peace as fleet could not overcome disadvantages of Germany’s military geographic situation and great [naval] preponderance of the enemy. Victory can be attained only by overcoming English economic life which means beginning of a submarine war against British commerce. To choose any weaker method would be in vain and I most urgently dissuade Your Majesty, as I did before, from the choice of this dubious form, not only because it does not correspond with the character of submarine weapons, but the endangering of the boats would not compensate for the profit to be obtained thereby. It would also be impossible in spite of the great conscientiousness of the commanders to avoid in England’s waters where American interests are lively such accidents as would humiliate us and which would force us to give in if we cannot hold through to the fullest extent.
Results of this movement cannot be predicated at present. It should however be given full consideration in connection with my previous reports on the political situation and the influence it may have on the Emperor. Please also communicate to Bureau of Naval Intelligence from naval attaché.
[For discussion of submarine policy in debate in the Reichstag, see telegram No. 4471, October 12, 1916, received October 14, from the Chargé in Germany, ante, page 58.]