It must not be overlooked that the United States—­as was the case in regard to Mexico—­are not well prepared for war, that their one anxiety is Japan.  Japan would not allow a European war with America to pass unheeded.

But even if America were to enter the war it would be three to four months before she could be ready, and in that space of time peace must have been secured in Europe.  According to the estimate of certain experts (among others, some Dutch corn merchants), England has only provisions sufficient for six weeks, or three months at the outside.

It would be possible to carry on the U-boat warfare on England from fifteen bases in the North Sea, so that the passage of a large vessel through to England would be hardly conceivable.  Traffic in the Channel, even if not entirely stopped, would be very limited, as travelling conditions in France exclude the possibility of suitable connection.

And if the unrestricted U-boat warfare once were started, the terror caused by it (the sinking of the vessels without warning) would have such an effect that most vessels would not dare to put to sea.

The above already hints at the rejoinder to be put forward to the arguments advanced by us against the opening of the unrestricted U-boat warfare, and also combats the view that the corn supply from the Argentine is not at the present moment so important for the United States as would be a prompt opening of the U-boat campaign, which would mean a general stoppage of all traffic.

The fact that America would not be ready for war before the end of three months does not exclude the possibility that it might even be as long as six or eight months, and that she therefore might join in the European war at a time when, without playing our last card, it might be possible to end it in a manner that we could accept.  It must not be forgotten, however, that in America we have to do with an Anglo-Saxon race, which—­once it had decided on war—­will enter on it with energy and tenacity, as England did, who, though unprepared for war as to military matters, can confront to-day the Germans with an army of millions that commands respect.  I cannot with certainty make any statement as to the Japanese danger to America at a time when Japan is bound up with Russia and England through profitable treaties and Germany is shut out from that part of the world.

  Among other things I referred to the great hopes entertained of
  the Zeppelins as an efficient weapon of war.

Herr Zimmermann said to me:  “Believe me, our fears are no less than yours; they have given me many sleepless nights.  There is no positive certainty as to the result; we can only make our calculations.  We have not yet arrived at any decision.  Show me a way to obtain a reasonable peace and I would be the first to reject the idea of the U-boat warfare.  As matters now stand, both I and several others have almost been converted to it.”

  But whether, in the event of the ruthless U-boat warfare being
  decided on, it would be notified in some way, has not yet been
  decided.