File No. 763.72/1743
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7, 10.40 p. m.]
2179. Foreign Office sends me following memorandum:
During the past few weeks it has repeatedly occurred that neutral ships have sunk in the waters designated as an area of maritime war by the German Admiralty February 4. In one case it was established that the sinking was traceable to an attack by a German submarine which took the neutral ship for an English vessel on account of the inadequate illumination of its neutral markings in the darkness.
The Imperial German Government begs to suggest that the American Embassy draw the attention of its Government to these facts and recommend that the American Government again warn American shipping circles against traversing the war zone without taking due precautions and also urge them to make the neutral markings as plain as possible and especially to have them illuminated promptly at nightfall and throughout the night.
Berlin, May 5.