File No. 763.72/5285
The Minister in Denmark (Egan) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 13, 4 a.m.]
749. Captain Persius in the Berliner Tageblatt, June 9, in a long leading article discusses the importance of America’s participation in the war. He says that opinions on this subject in Germany differ greatly. Thinks it is much better to overrate than to underrate and compares the case with the entry of Great Britain three years ago. Quotes an article written in December, 1914, by a high German [Page 93] officer in which it was said that military conscription in England could have no special influence on the outcome of the war and that the organization by England of an army of a million men lay in the far distant future. Remarks he would think the author would feel remorse.
However, it is useful to keep such utterances before the eyes in order that we may learn in the future. We will of course hope that America’s war preparations will have no influence on the course of this great contest because before the Americans join the hostilities the people of Europe will have extended the hand of peace to one another.
Also discusses at length the naval and transport question in the light of what America can do. Quotes an English paper as saying that because of the probability of German submarines appearing shortly in American waters this will surely prevent the United States from sending war boats to England. Says Germany has proved the possibility of doing this by doing it. He then takes up the amount of tonnage required to move the American Army and remarks that the 600,000 and odd gross tons of German vessels in American harbors are enough to transport the proposed first 125,000 men. Urges against underestimating of what American shipbuilders can accomplish. He says American energy and elasticity make possible the impossible.