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<p>[Page 37]</p><p>the war could not really harm them and their country. What’s really regrettable for us is the fact that the number of neutral countries could diminish further and that ultimately, we Germans would be up in arms against the whole world.</p><p>10/2/17.<br />The passports for the 45-year-olds have still not arrived, and their departure by steamship on the 7th thus became impossible. The Commander all of a sudden has become very vague about any progress, and it would be a scandal if the quite reasonable hopes were to be dashed. Of course, it’s possible that the recent breaking-off of diplomatic relations with the United States may have temporarily stalled a voyage via America. The envoys Bernstorff and Gerard did receive their passports and the latter [judging from future context this should rather be the former, i.e. Bernstorff] at least is already on his way home. War has not yet been declared [by the US] since the necessary casus belli has not yet eventuated. But it does seem that America is preparing for it, and no doubt Germany will too.</p>