File No. 124.63/19a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Austria-Hungary ( Penfield)
1624. Department desires to consult with you on various matters in connection with the present situation. You will therefore report in Washington at the earliest possible date, entrusting the Embassy during your absence to Mr. Grew as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
Referring to Department’s 1606 of March 17 [18] you may say to Count Czernin that in view of the explicit acceptance and avowal by his Government of a policy which has led to our breach of diplomatic relations with Germany, the President finds it impossible, to his sincere regret, to receive Count Tarnowski.
Express again to Count Czernin our deep regret that the Austro-Hungarian Government should have felt itself obliged to join Germany in its submarine policy even though it be only a verbal and not a physical cooperation, and so interrupt relations which we had hoped might remain friendly in form as well as in fact. Count Czernin should understand that in his inability to receive Count Tarnowski the President is acting without feeling against Austria and merely on principle.
You may also inform Count Czernin that the Embassy will be glad to transmit any instructions which he desires to convey to Count Tarnowski, and that if it is desired to have Count Tarnowski rettirn to Vienna, we would of course make all the necessary arrangements regarding safe-conduct.