File No. 763.72/3197
The Ambassador in Austria-Hungary ( Penfield) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 5, 3.15 a.m.]
1680. At 12.30 p.m. to-day Minister for Foreign Affairs called at the Embassy to explain that according to a Reuter message diplomatic relations between Germany and the United States had been broken. He wished that following personal message from him might be sent to the United States Government:
Austria-Hungary and her allies were forced to commence the indiscriminate submarine warfare because the Entente declined the negotiations for peace on the basis proposed by Mr. Wilson, the basis that there were to be no victors and no vanquished. Austria-Hungary did not cease to point out to Mr. Wilson that she would be always ready to commence negotiations for peace on the basis above mentioned if the guarantees for it would be given. Following Mr. Penfield’s wish the Minister for Foreign Affairs expresses the hope that the good relations between the United States and Austria-Hungary may be maintained.