DEPARTMENT OF 8TATE WASHINGTON November 8, 1939 Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Embassy's note no. 461 of October 30, 1939, in which, having reference to a recent press statement in this coun- try featuring an affidavit by Gustav A. Anderson filed with the Department in connection with the sinking of the S.S. Athenia, you state that "the 'Athenia1 was not sunk by contact with a British mine, by a British submarine, by gunfire from one of His Majesty's ships or by internal explosion; according to the evidence in the possession of Bis Majesty1 s Government she was sunk by a submarine". Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration* For the Secretary of State: The Right Honorable The Marquess of Lothian, C.H • 9 British Ambassador. 841.857 Athenia/442