File No. 763.72/1832
The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1.]
Sir: In the text of the German note, as published in the press this morning, it is stated that practically all the more valuable British merchantmen have been equipped with cannon and ammunition and that “the Lusitania,” too, according to “information received here (Berlin), had cannon aboard which were mounted and concealed below decks.”
I have the honour, under instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to give you the categorical assurance that the Lusitania was not carrying any guns, and has not done so at any time during the war.
I have [etc.]