File No. 763.72/2363
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30, 5.15 p. m.]
3406. Zimmermann here at lunch to-day. He had long talk with Colonel House. Before that he talked to me and said he had just received the Lusitania note proposed by Bernstorff; that Bernstorff himself had cabled that he knew the German Government would not accept it. Zimmermann further stated that if Germany had war with America they then could have an effective submarine blockade of England and could sink ships without warning, and that they had plenty of new submarines. He said that he was sure the Bernstorff proposition would not be accepted here on account of public opinion. I think that with modifications Bernstorff note would be accepted.