PART II NEUTRAL RIGHTS NEUTRAL RIGHTS AS AFFECTED BY THE SUBMARINE OPERATIONS OF GERMANY AND HER ALLIES-RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN NEUTRALS WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES-ENTRANCE OF THE UNITED STATES INTO THE WAR German Memorandum, Submitted January 10, on the Treatment of Armed Merchant Ships as Warships-Notes in Explanation of Submarine Incidents of 1916-Further Submarine Cases-German and Austro-Hungarian Notes of January 31 Announcing the Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare File No. 300.115Sal The Consul at Cardiff (Lathrop) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] CARDIFF, January 9, 1917. Charles Edward Slater, master American S. S. Sacramento of San Francisco (owners: Bay Steamship Co. of America at New York), reports Sacramento on voyage Havre, France, to Cardiff, Wales, in ballast, was fired on without warning, seven shots at least, by submarine believed German, 11 a. m. January 6, two and one-half miles north Casquets Lighthouse, French coast. Vessel stopped after first shot, American flag hoisted, master proceeded in small boat with ship's papers but submarine disappeared. Vessel proceeded on voyage, no casualties, arrived Cardiff January 8. LATHROP File No. 763.72/3117 The Ambassador in Turkey (Elkus) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] CONSTANTINOPLE, January 8, 1917, 6 p. m. [Received January 10, 8 a. m.] 2393. Newbold 1 has been informed by the Constantinople military attaché of a neutral power that some German officers just arrived from Berlin have stated to him that Germany is preparing for a 'Maj. Henry L. Newbold, military attaché at Constantinople. 114203-31-6 81 pitiless submarine warfare by the end of February next. The Germans will, it is stated, effectively blockade by their submarines the whole of the British coast and will sink without warning every vessel that goes to or from England. This the Germans state will be a breach of all their promises to such an extent that it will certainly bring about a rupture of diplomatic relations between the United States and Germany, if not war. I submit the above to the Department for what it may be worth. It may be that this has been purposely reported to our Embassy in order that it should be transmitted to the Department so as to induce the latter to use all its influence to bring about peace. ELKUS File No. 857.857/63 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, January 9, 1917, 5 p. m. 1800. Walter J. Dupree, negro, claiming American citizenship by birth at Atlanta, Ga., survivor of Norwegian steamer Helgoy, deposes that Helgoy was a time-chartered vessel bound from Barry Dock to Bordeaux with coal; that he was in galley night of January 3 when he heard sound of cannon and soon after explosion of torpedo. Survivors in two boats. Sea smooth. Towed by submarine 3 to 5 miles to point near La Rochelle, then placed on board one of fleet of five small fishing boats, other four then sunk by submarine. Deponent stated he could see neither number nor flag on submarine. No other Americans on board; one of crew killed, three injured. Was unable to furnish further information. Deposition by mail. Deponent appeared doubtful with regard to names of places and definite details. SHARP File No. 763.72111/4443 The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, January 10, 1917. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Under instructions of my Government I beg to transmit to you the enclosed memorandum, concerning the new offensive armament of the merchant vessels of our enemies. I am further directed by my Government to discuss this matter with you and to add to the memorandum that it, of course, does not cancel the pledges given by my Government in the note of May 4, 1916.1 1Foreign Relations, 1916, Supplement, p. 257. |