File No. 763.72/3127
The Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 11, 6 p.m.]
4860. Confidential source, fair authority, reports:
German submarine warfare is soon to be extended to the attacking of all armed ships without warning, such ships being considered men-of-war. One official letter I saw stated that Germany would begin this submarine warfare extension, no doubt engendering trouble with the United States, but this could not be helped as such warfare was last resort of German Navy against England. The reason Blaikie of Caledonia did not share Fryatt’s fate was that vessel was armed and in reality a man-of-war, and therefore Blaikie was justified in offensive action and submarine was justified in sinking without warning. A number of officers declare that this extended method will go into effect soon.
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