Naval Campaigns Club - Campaign Plan Black

In an interview with the German Ambassador, he responded to the note of the' Neutral Parties'.

First of all, what ' unprovoked attack' are they talking about? Did someone start a war and not invite us? Our ambassadors delivered notes to each of the 'neutral' parties protesting this unnecessary act which is also in contradiction on international law as is the current U.S. position. No state of war exists currently between any of the parties involved. The only thing that has occurred is the taunts and threats of a puerile nation bent on an American Hegemony. Remember it well. Britannia no longer rules the waves, and neither does the Unitied States. All nations including Germany have the right of Freedom of the Seas as guarenteed by International Law as the U.S. was so fond of pointing out during the last conflict. If the 'Neutral' parties wish to be truly neutral rather than puppets of a billigerent nation than "NO United states warship or which could be fitted for war may dock at any of this countries ports, nor shall supplies of any type flow through our lands to this belligerent nation.” as thry appear to be the only country bent on war.

Washington(UPI): The German Ambassador, Count Johann von Bernstorff, delivered a formal note of protest to the White House in response to the ‘unprovoked and deliberate’ U.S. preparations for war against Germany for what he called ‘an unnecessary misunderstanding’. The note was a personal one from the Kaiser expressing his dismay at the developing situation and his hope for a peaceful resolution. An anonymous White House source reports that while conciliatory in nature it included the veiled threat of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare upon the U.S. if it attacked German Naval Forces in International Waters. The Kaiser is reported to have written that ‘Germany will give the same respect to International Law that the United States does. Germany will not be treated like a conquered nation but would work closely with the United States to resolve these issues peacefully.

Brest(Reuters): German naval activity is on the rise at this port as many German U-boats seem to be preparing for sea. When questioned the local base commander Commandant Klink said “ It was just routine readiness for previously scheduled fleet exercises in the North Atlantic with its partners in the European League of Nations”. A seaman said when asked by this reporter that he was proud to be a member of the Kaiserliche Marine and would do his duty to the Kaiser and the Empire. As a historical note Brest, while French territory, is a base for the Kaiserliche Marine granted to Germany by France at the conclusion of hostilities between France and Germany in the last war.

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Deutscher Flottenverein News #1
Dateline: Caribbean Sea, 30-Jun-1919

Interview with Vizeadmiral Driscoll

(Ed Note : In order to provide our readers with complete team coverage our of
glorious High Seas Fleet's World Tour, correspondent K. Counselman has been
embedded with the Kaiserliche Marine and will file periodic reports.)

Dear Readers,

Due to the increasing bellicose verbiage emanating from the Wilson administration
as well as the American press, I took the opportunity recently to sit down with
Vizeadmiral Phillip Driscoll, Chef der Admiralität to ask him a few questions.

DFN: “Vizeadmiral Driscoll, thank you for sitting down with us today.”

VA Driscoll: “You’re quite welcome Sir.”

DFN: “ VA Driscoll, how would you characterize the HSF World Tour so far ?”

VA Driscoll: “It’s going quite well. The schnapps is a bit tepid, but then no sacrifice
is too great for the Fatherland”

DFN: “Sir, would you like to comment on the recent belligerent attitude exhibited
by the Americans ?”

VA Driscoll: “I’m glad you asked that question. The HSF is merely doing it's own
rendition of the Great White Fleet and is on a world tour to show the flag and
promote goodwill. We are also closely coordinating our efforts with the German
Navy League and its affiliates in the Americas to improve relations with the Americas
and to dispel misconceptions and to develop closer ties.”

“We do not understand the American attitude - we have done nothing to provoke
them other than to claim the Freedom of the Seas, the same freedom that they
demanded during the recent war. In honoring their request we did NOT declare
unrestricted submarine warfare, while the English still stopped and searched neutral vessels
(including American) in total disregard of the Rules of War. Why then does NOT Germany
have those same rights to sail the open seas as long as it does NOT violate the lawfully
accepted limit of territorial waters. A war between our two great countries is to be
avoided but Germany will not be responsible for the first shot “

DFN: “Would you like to add anything else Admiral ? “

VA Driscoll: “Yes, get me another schnapps.”

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Deutscher Flottenverein News #3	German Embassy Response
Deutscher Flottenverein News #2	Headlines: Washington
Deutscher Flottenverein News #1	Interview with Vizeadmiral Driscoll


	Kaiserliche Marine
Deutscher Flottenverein News K. Counselman - DFN

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Deutscher Flottenverein News #2 Dateline: Washington DC, 30-Jun-1919	Headlines: Washington