Von Tirpitz: "Well, my dears, I'm afraid you will have to improve your manners—for a while at least."
The German Government notifies the Government of the United States that German naval forces have received the following order:
In accordance with the general principles of visit and search and the destruction of merchant vessels, recognized by international law, such vessels, both within and without the area declared a naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning and without saving human lives unless the ship attempt to escape or offer resistance.
Imperial German Government
to United States Government.
May 4, 1916.