File No. 763.72/11315
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2 p.m.]
1772. Military attaché reports as follows:
September 3, 8 p.m. German Embassy distributed to pro-German and subsidized press in Madrid this morning the text of the German answer to Spain’s note. Naturally it will not be permitted publication. It is in language as follows:
Germany will deliver to Spain an equivalent tonnage for all Spanish vessels illegally or unjustly sunk by her submarines; this, however, will be done only after a full and germane exchange of communications on the part of both Governments. The confiscation by the Spanish Government of any interned German vessel in its ports without any good reason for submitting the principal matters to a full and frank discussion of the merits of each individual case, will be considered by Germany as a cause for war. Lang.
Embassy as yet unable to confirm blockade report.