DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

Pile No. 763.72/2862.
SUBMARINE WARFARE. 245
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard.
[Telegram—Paraphrase.]
No. 3390.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September 18, 1916.
Mr. Lansing, referring to Mr. Gerard's mail despatch
numbered 3920 and dated August 29, informs him that
the substance of the German note of the 26th of August
in the matter of the American steamer Owego had been
submitted to the vessel's owners who informed the
Department that the captain of the vessel says that,
while he heard firing he never saw any submarine and
never knew any shots were fired at the Owego or across
her bow until after the submarine came in sight and then
he could not understand her signals on account of there
being no wind to unfurl her flags so they would stand out
and disclose her nationality. The captain further states
that it was and is his conception of his duty that when
stopped he should wait until a boarding party from a
warship came on board of his vessel to make search and
not he to leave his own vessel to board any foreign warship.
Mr. Lansing states that this Government trusts that
the German Imperial Government will see its way clear
to warn its undersea commanders, if in fact it has not
already done so, to be most particular in their efforts
to make sure that their signals are understood by merchantmen
before extreme measures are taken which
might result in the destruction of American lives and
property. In order that this may not occur this Government
has informed ship owners that war submarines'
signals should be answered promptly and followed.
Mr. Lansing instructs Mr. Gerard to address a note to
the German foreign minister in such terms as the foregoing
indicates as a reply to his note of August 26, 1916.
File No. 763.72/2899a.
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard.
[Telegram—Paraphrase. ]
No. 3434.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September 29, 1916.
Mr. Lansing informs Mr. Gerard that the master's
statement of the steamer Owego in his last telegram was
transmitted to him in the language of the United States
Steamship Company, and further informs him that he
now has the master's own statement made afterward
which is as follows:
"Ever since early morning of that day we heard
sounds of heavy cannon coming from the direction of
the French coast, which was nearer to us than the
English coast, but not discernable. About 12.40 p. m.,
on that day I was below eating my dinner when my
first mate, H. Hattfield, came to me and stated that
he heard guns of smaller caliber and closer to us, but
nothing could be seen. I then went on deck with said
first mate, and the first thing I saw was a shot dropping