So I'm in a bit of a pickle. Well, not just me but the whole of Germany! See, a few years back in 1914 we got involved in this Weltkreig, or "Great War" as the English are putting it. The war started off pretty great for us, we made good progress on both the Western and Eastern fronts. Then however things started to stall. One of our responses to this slow-down in operations was to launch a campaign of unrestricted warfare in 1915.
Personally, I think it was a good thing. The loss of innocent life is regrettable, but this is war after all and England has a superior navy so I don't see how else we could win than by strangling her economically. This first campaign didn't go smoothly, other countries really didn't like what we were doing. By other countries, I also mean "The United States". They were really mad when the Lusitania and Arabic were sunk and when the Gulflight was damaged.
But, after a lot of whining and protesting by the United States, we relented and gave up the unrestricted submarine campaign.
Here we are however nearing the end of 1916 and things are looking really bad for us! We've taken a beating on like every front, our offensive at Verdun failed, and economically speaking we're being strangled. I've got a proposal and I really think it could win us the war: Restarting Unrestricted Submarine Warfare.
I have a whole 200 page report written up to give to my commanders and I know that my argument will pervasive. I may have stretched the truth in this report, but the gist of it is correct. We will defeat the UK very quickly if we reinstate Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, and while doing so will probably bring the United States into the war, I don't think they'll be that big of a deal and our submarines will be able to deal with their troop transports.
So, WIBTA if I submit this report to my superiors? The fate of Germany could rest in my hands!
YTA. Of course, I would say that, but seriously, you're breaking like three separate bits of international law here. Every bit of law that governs war at sea says you can't sink merchant ships without warning, and without putting the crews in a place of safety. You'd also be sinking neutral merchants without checking them for contraband. You're going to kill a whole bunch of civilians, especially neutral ones, when you could just do the right, and proper, thing, and keep going with Restricted Submarine Warfare. Everything Britain's done has been justifiable - we've got precedent for everything - and we've killed much fewer neutrals. A much better idea, though, would be for the High Seas Fleet to come out. It's getting really boring hanging out at Scapa waiting for something to happen.
NTA
Not that anyone listens to me any more (I'm going to have words with Ludendorff and Hindenburg once this war is over) but those cargo ships are asking for it. If the US get involved then our unrestricted submarines will just sink their soldiers as they come over! We didn't spend all that money on the Kaiserliche Marine for it to not be used properly. While we're at it, has anyone considered drawing the Royal Navy into a decisive fleet action to break the blockade?
NTA your subs your rules.
NTA. Ironic for the entente to condemn the use of submarines when their mines in the North Sea do the same job.
NTA. A warrior must consider all tools at his disposal, espescially when it comes to facing a superior enemy. Nonetheless, I would suggest that submarines be best employed against military targets. Sinking the enemy's warships would make your future victory in the decisive battle more likely, far quicker than attempting to attack their supply lines.
YTA. Look, we get it: you're mostly sitting on the sidelines without much to do and don't want your budget to get cut in the next spending review. But your country needs to focus on finishing what it started: on land. Maybe use those resources on some 'land battleships' instead?
NTA. United States United Shmates bro, who cares about them? Let loose the submarines and we'll all be home by Christmas!
NTA. Go for it, dude. What's the worst that can happen? The US won't like it, but if it wasn't enough to get them over the hump before, they'll deal with it again as long as you're not stupid enough to do something else to aggravate them.
Besides, if they do enter the war, so what? Their army is, like, the size of a division. What difference could they possibly make?
NTA They've got a blockade on food coming into your country so fair game I say