File No. 763.72/3335
The Ambassador in Austria-Hungary ( Penfield) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16, 2.50 a.m.]
1705. Private opinion of well-informed persons here is that Austro-Hungarian under-sea boats are not operating in eastern [Page 136] Mediterranean with increased activity since the sharpening submarine program was announced. An Austrian military expert tells me that submarines of this Monarchy are doing nothing outside Adriatic. It is known that present boats are few in number and obsolete in type. I believe Austria-Hungary taking every precaution against what America might regard as overt act on part submarine commanders. People here of every class hoping for no break with America.