GERMAN “U” BOAT ADVICE.

Title

GERMAN “U” BOAT ADVICE.

Creator

Weekly London Times

Identifier

WWP21055

Date

1917 March 3

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Language

English

Text

GERMAN “U” BOAT ADVICE.

_________
disclosures in captured documents.
The following is a copy of an intercepted German document directing the German Press on the attitude it should assume towards unlimited submarine warfare:—General Command, 7th Army Corps. Dept. 11d., No. 1140. Münster, February, 1917. No. 545.notice.To Newspaper and Editorial Offices, &c.Confidential. Not to be copied.
Secret.
Newspapers are requested to act on the following advice when discussing unlimited “U” boat war:—
1. Opinions regarding the usefulness of the measures and of the time chosen, after the decision has been made, would have the effect of weakness and lack of harmony, would encourage the enemy, and perhaps induce wavering neutrals to come in.
2. For the beginning of the concluding struggle absolute internal union is essential. The determined approval of the entire people must ring out from the Press.
3. It is a question, not of movement or desperation—all the factors have been carefully weighed after conscientious technical naval preparation—but of the best and only means to a speedy victorious ending of the war.
4. Towards America it is advisable to use the outward forms of friendliness. Unfriendliness would increase the danger of America coming in—the breaking off of diplomatic relations, even active participation, hangs in the balance. The attitude of the Press must not increase this danger.
5. The Navy, fully conscious of its power, enters into this new section of the war with firm confidence in the result. It is recommended that the phase be called unlimited, not ruthless, “U” boat war.
6. Material, personnel, and appliances are being increased and approved continually: trained reserves are ready.
7. England's references to the perfection of her means of defence, which are intended to reassure the English people, are refuted by the good results of the last months.
8. Each result is now much more important, because the enemy's mercantile marine is already weakened, the material used up. Much coloured personnel.
9. The psychological influence should not be underestimated. Fear amongst the enemy and neutrals leads to difficulties with the crews, and may induce neutrals to keep ships in harbour.
10. “U” boat war is now exclusively a part of the combined method of waging war, therefore a purely military matter.

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Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WWI0172A.pdf

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Citation

Weekly London Times, “GERMAN “U” BOAT ADVICE.,” 1917 March 3, WWP21055, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.