T ; .. $ .• 

• 

w 0 p 

REF ID:A6969.2 

• ( 

~,/ 

I . -... ' ... -. 

v )'!.ll" nono'.:' ~ nsscrt:..on that .-.lmoat all c1phel" telegrems 

·~:-~1 "Ja dec1.phC'rari ~.s u..r.i.t..::nE(':>le. l:f the matter 11ere so easy,, 1.h~ .Jemnan "'n.d1o secti-onu would p.rob&.bly not .tail to decipher 

;.r'J.3 !t1i!isia.n, English and Fl.•ench l'.Fl.diograms which the,- intercept. 

?i:> m_f ·..('novl'1dge the Gernm.il. 'l'a'11•J .::iect1one have onl.J' succeeded 1~ ~~artially ne~1p~er1ng tne Italtan radiograms; this may be ;i;l31·~d by the fact that they h~d material supplied 'bJ' the 

t' :. ::H:.r!.-:in-B".LL:garie..n a~ to '?erve e.s basis. Without such an 

aid, the dec1p~erm.ent of unsystematic ciphers ls out o.t tte ~usf Lion. 'l'hat the Gcnf!-:i'·al Steff is at present. not in a 

pcs1t1on to ~ecipbcr Russi6r. d1plcmat1c cipher despatches, 1a iJ~si: shown bJ" the f'act t:t-at MELjor Nicolai recently requested 

thr'i: i:e turn O\"'er our Ru1:is1.m cipher material and the .Oommun1aatlonr. c•f:fie•:ir :l.n the Cenera.~ Star~ .. of' the Field Army recentl7 ~~peQted this request. 

In the case or ciphers or the Pore1gn O.tttce a distinction m~st be made between antiquated and new ciphers. or the former 

:.n.-:-re are uaua.117 oue or two copieia in each u1iasion tor the t~an~m1ss1on or Wl1mportcnt reports or identical messages~ or - sin~e these are al~ead.J' comprc~is~d - ror sending out misleading 

1r..:'o!·:nat1on. In radio ccmmun1cation with Spain, f'or instance,, 

several bogus telegrams ~ave been sent in a cipher known to 

our er.em1es. 'l'hat the decipherment of such radiogram.a causes 

r.o difi 1cu!t7 1a clear. It !s dii"f"erent with telegrams encipher·od 1.n. the w1&7Ltemat1r. secret ciphers ot the P.oreign Of"tice, 

es:reciell7 ,,.hen used with cone tan •;17 changing keJ'B. Decipherue1'\t, of tl!.e-se te'!.egrams is Himp,.7 imposstble even tor the moat 

cJ Er1cr specialists. tt <..an onl7 i .. esul t iZ the ent1:roe cipher is botra7e~ o:r essential pa:.i:-ts an1l ke7s come to the knowledge 

of" a t'·Jreign govt.1rnment. Of' coUl'ae, thero is no absolute !i~CUI"1t7 against betra7al aml the onl7 aid is the t:requent 

1.f13.Il£SS o'f' clp'1el' and o.t ke7s, vh1·'lh is ab~dantl7 provided 'f'or 

hare. 

During the war the Foreign Orf ice has had radio c011BDu.n1cat 1on c~iefly with the embassies 1~ Madrid and Vashington and 

with the m1es1on in Persia. ~he embaso7 in Madrid has inde- p~ne6~t~7 ar.d conate.ntl7 safeguarded its ciphers bJ' the moat 

!ntricste 5yst1:mr.. Bcve\.·e1•. s111C;e the c=ipher 1 tself could 

Lot be chaztged during the v~~. it is conceivable, though h1gh~.J' improbabl<:, that z·ad~.ogram.s to Madl'1d could 1n part be 

deciphered, alvays aaaumtns that the literal key emplo,-ed was 'het?'~yed. 

For Persia too a secret ke7 1a employed tor important telegra~a. The rad1ogrJDts to Washington ~ould be read bJ' our 

enamtea since the7 had to b~ enc1~hered with a cipher vh1ch 

is in t~e hands or the A!Jl8rtcan C3nsors in Tuckerton and Etlv~s~. Perh.2.ps the observations o~ the General Starr are 

based in the ~ain on these telegrams. It would interest me, 

hcvever, to ~e infol'med of' these observations 1n detail. 

In 1117 conversation ¥1th Majer 111cola1 he requested the sendi~ or a representative of the Foreign ot:rice to a cont'erence 

which should discuss an ~xchange of 1nf'ormat1on regarding ~ipher r:\8.terial of hostile states now in the hands or the 

Adm!ralt7 Starr, General Starr and Foreign Of'tice. In this va7 

If e P 8 E g R B '£ 

eclassified and approved for release by NSA on 01-02-2014 pursuant to E.O. 

3526 . 
....------------- ---

• REF ID:A696 • 

If C' t I ,., 'I .• ,... 

tb~ decipherment of foreign enciphered correspondence should ~e furthered so far as possible a~d at the same time our ovn 

c:Irher syste1n be benefitted. The re-presentative of this 

1ffice did not give any ess~rafice regarding the turntng over 

c..f' t se-d Gezman. c1phere cf the Foreign Office for the purpose 

1:_er. t :t,,r.~ed by Your Honc·r f..nd, ther=cf·ore, could not te.ke back 

t.hf'.:."t REsurE.nce. Inetf:s.cl, t:t .. e Com111un:tce.tlons Of'.ficer,, Capt. 

G:L>a.bc.u, vas !nt"ormcd tha. "l. :J:: would be vell to +,urn ove1, to the Po~"ei~n Of.f::.ce the interrJepi:ed re.ciiogra.ras between St. PeteI"S- b~u"g a.::-1d Russian d1.plomR!_,lc m.:..ss1.~ns abroad, since z.he Cip~er 

lu:r't'l'lll -· on the bE-s1s or t.hP. oldP. ..... Russian ciphe:r material at 

lts dispos!ll and its long e::e.per1e·1ce decipherin~ RuHsian cipher teiegra~s - might be in a p1s1t101 to decipher them, whereas 

t::;ia '1•':\S si1nply .lmpossible for th'? Gene1•al Staff. Your Honor 

a!ll bring ~p this suggestion mos~ emphatically with the ~~p~cpr1ate office. 

Ol~r rc·;iresentative expressed himself" in geneI"al tenns 

e.t the above mentioned ~cnfc:renoe respecting the ctpher systems 

llf"f <1 in the F'orcign Office end t.he measures taken for their 

l...E C"...!P1.ty. 'lhc Foreign Off lee 1 tfH;lf has tht~ utmost tnttt:."'est 

tn sr:.f Pguardtng its telegl"S.phlc t::-af'f'ic _ 

I w111 say 1'1Wther that in "tne past year word came froin 

}fol land - -word which has been I"ep~ated several times - that ~111 German ciphe1, telegrams ver•e Lleing read by especially ~lever enemy agents. The~e11pon,, 12 sample postal ciphers ~ere given the representet17e sup9lying the information, these 

he was supposed to be able to get into the hands of the agents 

and also tc learn what results thay had with decipherment. 

To date no report on this matter has been received. This shows 

tt•e value or such :repc·rt~. 

I leave it to Your Honer to use the foregoing in .friendly 

fa:-hlon. in the Pl"oper quarter. I have not the slightest 

t!oubt of' the loyalty of I.he Army Supreme Command in the 

q110s t~.on. 

Representative or the Foreign Off tee 

at Gra.~d Headquarters Nr. 158,, Secret. 

General Headquarters, 23.III.17. 

I tr1ng to Your Honor's attention the foregoing letter 

of the Secretary of' Sta~e of the Foreign Office to me. Please 

treet as conr1dent1al. 

(51gned) HAron V. Lersner 

'l' 6 p Sl!l0HB'F 
e REF ID:A6960. 

, . .,, . 

.:';u .. ·· J Chlet ot J'lold ~elagraplq. 

~~: t or J'ield ~elegl'aplJJ' 

~J !~.,c ileadquarter•. Re.ce1n4: 1 r • ., 191?. 

f'f.\ 't :I.en IY Sr. 119'11' BeaNt. 

~ent lC MaJ' 1917 vith a draft. t 

tJ;1 i.,r-'~ ot 0e'18Ml 8taf'.f Gr the J'iald .&J'IQ 

Cl1.teT' '>f. Piald Telepap!'Q' 

10. ll&J' 1917 

S.a.Jt10:1 !Y 'Ir. 11941"' aeoret 

~o I 0 •r. ,119 Beoret or 1 V 11 

Jhu !ea1..?11it1 at the Code• of the l'ore1gn Ottioe. 

~Clo ~=hi•f' or the Ge.a.eral &taf'.t or tba .P1elcl AJ.w7. 

I •t:r'fHI vith the view or thf" &h:l.et ot the .Admlralt~ ~~~ at ~.!"~• nRVJ' 'l'he reque•ted dH.tt o.t & letter to the l'oreip · ... • •.~-:- t 11 e11eloaed. 

L '9ua1o•uN .. 

On. behalf" or the Chlet ot Pleld !elegraplQ' 

(81gned) YOD llaBBOV. 

JUlAPl' 

'l'hl'ouah a lettn or the Adm're.lt7 start ot the ••YJ" I m 

1l4de aoc;uala.ted with tlle .raot tmt .tour apt-• or ••oret ~ .. -.1'1-l'li'inatlon auppl1ed 'bJ the Pore1p Ot.tice dur:lDg the OOIU'B8 

at' the var ban not P1'0Ten. a~uatelJ' eeaure. The Admll'alt7 

it;;;....;-: :i.:..:. !"·::::• ... .,.. 1.t:r;~lr t'orce4 t~ O!-.,,cr the )l'ithdrawal of the•• c>i~~ rv.om. all Bsval orr1aas (attao119aj equ11JP8G the:rev1tb. 

Ttie tact t:&t tlieaa oode• veN f"urD1ab.ed to the 1'&VJ' t'oie 

Lise :iur:: ·~s the var J,;.ada to tlw oonoluelan that tbe ooclea ot 

•• ·-. =-==c1gn orr1ae are cc.mpoaef. on the .... 1D9illc.:.i.,&1l•• and. 

"= !"r1 .('E-fOJ"'- do not a.ttord. adea11&te 1~aurit7. 

In viev of 1J1e eztraord,.Dll.J"J :LwpoJ1tance vhich the 

aec\ii·1tJ or the cede• or the Pol'91';11 o:rtioe ha• toz- the oolleotive .... .1.·.·.l:l·nf.t.h ot the r..&.1:..i.on. I CWl not ta.11 tu suggest onoe -:lD 

to YoUJ' BxoellellOJ' aubjeot1ng the 'ode• ueed bJ' the l'ol'81an 

01 .. .i"j ,,., to an e.xma1nat1on 'bJ' ezpert1t who had no paztt 1D the pl'Oduct~°" or th.eae aodea. 

ThB art o.t deolpb.emea.t l1a• developed 1.Dto a eolenoe 

4ur1Dg the vu. 

u*11 the Chier or •teld 'felepaplQ'.tbere 18 an. ottioe 

which 1• aolu1velJ' oooup1e4 with the deo1phe:rment ot .to11eip •1·• temll and Which ba• euoc:eeded 1D 'breaking neelJ' all tleld 

and. naval •1ai- nov 1n. Ulla u well ae ••YeNl 41plaaat1o 

a,-ateu. Jlven. uaa7at-t10 alphel"a with o:baag1Dg Naiphe--.t have been aolved t7 tb1• ott1oe without &IQ' a14 t1'm other 

aourcea. I 

I :r>ropoae theNto:N tbat '!'ov lb:aell•DOJ' 11t111ae tm 111ob 

'0 p 8B8RB'! 

• 
• • • REF ID:A69606 • 

'a " r ••waa'!& 

~ :!~ ~r the Adnairalt7 Starr or the ••'VJ' 

II Jlerl1n. JA April 1917. 

Ve17 Beoret. 

Pgrsc•~t to IQ' letter D 25811 II of 22 March I bave .bad the 

('( ,;~11 or the Fore-1£D ort1.ce IJ>. PC o.., ~. 2505,aad 1303 vl11oh 

\.rt·tt -i.urned avel' 'to the Jav1 subjected to a 'br1et m•'nat1on. ~-hP i•&sult ot thi• aam1r..at1on Vhich 1• enclosed. la&• con- ··!-~-.~or, ::ild that tt.ase oodee are not suitable to gaarantee :v~··quate &ecvlq- over &l'Q' oonaidftrable period or time. I have ·. l .' :.· > •e ol'd.erecl their v1thdl'a.,ai... :traa. all Raval O.ttloee 

: >.:.. • ' : "k:a) at present •uPPlied th• ~i th. 

81pull Sipature 

~~ Icperial Prl'V'J' Counsellor, 8ecret~ ot State or the c:·~·z:P1gn Off'.loe. Kr. Zlmemazm.. 1Ucelleno7. Berlin. 

r.~, 'IJf~· or the AdJlaj.Hlt7 Bi:at:r 

(\f the •• ,,,. iJ 2:J"I~ II. 

'1•1.7 Secrot. 

Berlin, l.IJ AJ>l'11 1911. 

'Io the Ra7al Jlield. Jlutshall General. Oh1et or the Oener'\l Statt' or tht> Pleld AJJ'IQ. b. VOil Beneckend.Ol'ft' &Dd VOD 

Bln4enburs. Bxcell•llOJ'. Gran4 BeadqU&!'tezie. 

Bnalor;ed I 11en4 Your Bx.oellenq .tor J'OUI' 1D!'omat1on a 

c1apJ t.f" a latter to the Gecretarr or State or the •01'8tsn 

Otf't,,e. 

R"•n tho·Jgh it 1• blpoa•ible to 3udge here Vb.ether the '):;jits~· s=icret -an• o:t aomw11aat1on. used bJ the PoNigD. Ott1ae ::a.~r:.. :-id 1F9&te11 seour1t,', the reault• o.t ttia 1Dveat1gat1on ~,. f ~.?,. cod•• tUPDe4 over to tbe :l&'VJ' during the oourae ot 

.ne ••r :tcr 1to use - vh:Ch the~etore vere ev1dentlJ' regarded 

:Jt ta1a 1Pore1@11 0.t".tioe &8 aut:t1.clentl7 eeom-e - make it i•~eratlve to uee aautio~ in tl'anam1tt1Dg secret material ~~raug..~ the ••d1at1on ot the Poreign orr1ae. 

(Slfllled.) YOD Boltsendoi-tt 

c.~1"11of' ot the General Start ot the 

Pield Arf!S1 

r <: ;; ·'· Jll9 f\eoMt 

Onl7 ~ Ot't'ioer. 

CJziand Beadquete:n 

1 - 1911. 

~ the letter ot the Chie.r ~ tile AdairaltJ' Btatt ~ 2?0& II ot 1,. IT it ha• came to IQ' attention that 1Dd1Y14ual 

r.ecret code• or the Poreip ortioe are not ab•olute17 ••OUN • . Should thl• bo tl'118. I request. that a •ultable drart ~ 

a letter to the Peelp. Ott1oa 'be prapazied tor •· 

I enoloae the mate:r1&.1 at latmd tor 70U2' ocmtlden.tial uee. 

Br Orcle:P 

.:; aM1clo•Ul'8• Lu4en4mrtt 

• 
• REF ID:A69606-

.:: ::;·t·E"l ience ot th1a otr1ee and have the codeu 1...'l question · rt·~· fl.l·ed bJ' an ot'ticer ot th1a oft1ee. Detail• could be arranged ~' Ii thf! ChiP.f t:tt 1'1.eld 'felegraph.7 

Oi-,;.9f' of' the Admi:ra'lt7 8t":"'i' 

ot t:.'le W&VJ" 

Berlin,, 28 VII 1917 

VeJ!7 5ecret. 

Ir• ~onl'ectio.n vith D 2980 Il or 1:5 April (I beg to inform 

;·n. j t,.t .P. t tor special ree.aona the telegraphic coa1111111cat1one 

c•i' , nr Jiore.i(SD Off ice li1th the Imperial Bmbaaa7 1n Madrid has .,f:'''• 11a1~bjected to a atud7 ot 1ta eocurit7. 'l'hia investigation 

h.E.11 t·C·I .T .. ruied tlle prev;.oua opinion respecting the codes con- ~~.:· •. ·~ t.ec'. on the 1111ldol ot 2505. inama.uch aa all enciphered 

tJ;. "?.:'~"1?;1.J could be deciphared 1D lJi. d&:"•. Wt th napect to the JJ·~rll~d Lot~erla Cipher e11~lo,.ed tor more lm.portant mattora,, 1n~~attgat1on ahoved that tn1a did indeed. involve greater 

a!.tf .i.c1.1lt7 1 -i aolutl,.n but nevert.bttle•• vould onl7 aaaure 

"'df.•i;:ai:e aecurit7 it certain detects veJ'8 el1ad.nate4 and. 1t 

i. Jr\lJ<-:ber at code• vere aya1lable tor uae at the same t1me. 

(8:tgned) von l!oltaeDdor.rr 

'110 the Ro7al Pruaa1BD Field Meshal Genax·al. 

IJhter of' tho General Statt or the Pield kl!lll7 

ill:r. von Bensckend.or:r.t and B!ndenbvg. Jb.:cell1tnq. 

Grand Beadqu&l'tera. 

B. Cblet ot Cammuu1cat1ona 

with request tor opinion. 

:e. 

'bJ' order 

L. 

c ~h '.et" o-!9 the Coam.un1oa t1011.11 Service Ol'and Beadquartera 1 VIII 1 T. 3,-.~ t i.o~l ~V r H:r. 7 .. 284 Secret 

I anree v1th the viev ot the .Adm1ralt1 Stat't9. HeN too ~~art10 ot the •orel.gn Ottice v1th Madrid 1a intercepted and 

-;1o·rked on. One of" the codes used 'between the "Minta ter ot 

Poretgn Atta1~s" 3erl1D ab.cl Madrid vaa solved arter l' da.J'a. ~n• Cniet' ot the Communication.a 8el'Ylce made personal repo~t 

ct thi• to tbe Quartel'Dl&ater Oeneral. Telegpam.a 1'rom this 

traft1c are encloaed. 

A check of' the codea ot the ~oreign Ot'tice tor aolub111t7 b~ experts ia cona14ered abaolutel7 essential. aa alreadJ' 

reported. 

~ Lotter1e Cipher 1a underetood. a code in vhioh the 

groups are not &rl'f1D88d 1n alphabetical order but d1atr1'b1lte4 ~n random t'ashion at'ter the 1qanner or a lotte1"7• 

'I 0 p 

t • I I ' 

: • I I 

V. 8. d Ch.>d •. B. 

· u. Ch. 4. o·. 

(Signed) YO!\ raaaov 

.. & B G R B 'I 
• REF ID:A69606-

:a: u i' 

r1l'AiJSll Ottice ,~..,. 3. 768 Berlin, 11 Augue~ 1917. 

" "'~ . 18931 . !l "!ncloauras 

Ve:rJ' Secret. • 

! am returning to Your Bxcellenc7 the telegrama enclosed 

' 1. 4:h your lf:tte:r of' 6th inst. K. J. Br. 21625 vi th the obedient r·E~r.arr that they did not originate vith the J'oreil':O Ottice but 

i :r-0111 t~ht• ArJr.:1,,.alt7 Starr.: or were destined tor the latter. and ;:~1-~·T. 'tll"J' n1•e enc1phered with the Jlaval commwi1cat1ona book and. 

~?-1'::l ~IAvl!l ko7a. Onl7 the 1'egl.DD.1llg ot 'l'el. lfr. 26 ot 2 March '.~hHOt n} 1a given 1n a· cipher or the Poreign Ottice and not 

<'1110 ~1lb·l.(1'4!d. 

l leave 1t ;rour judgillent whether to 1Dt'orm the Chlet ot t~~ Ac~1ralt7 5tatt ot the foregoing 

ee tar as the decipherment bJ" the"Adlllralty Starr or the 

r;..:; ~c;1·aii',s ct the Foreign Ot'tice enciphered at'ter the model ot 

i l.e antiquated code 2505 1• aonce1•ned. lt ma7 be remarked th~r ~h~s vas onl7 poaelble due to the exact knowledge ot the -~'C•!•·-,~.gI1 Of'r~.Ce Cipher material &'Vl\ilable at the AdmiraltJ' 8taft 

t.-nd 011 tbe baa1a or actual decipherments ot telegr.ama supplied 

'"· . .-,:1 here a1nce sent ~or tbat department. Decipherment ot 

-..>: Jdl.•.uaa 1.n tlie Lotterie Ciphe:z- ::iaa not 79t been und.el"taken 

b"f the Admiral t7 Starr h.>re. · 

The PorelRD Ottice adheres, tlrat and laat. to the ~olnt 

or view that its new Lotter1e Cip.nera, eapeciall7 vhen reen- ~tphared. can onl7 be regarded aa not abaolutel7 aecure it 

betra7al or careless use ot the ciphers or ot the enciphered 

I! ~~rrespondence occur•. 

(Blgned) 81gnature. 'l"o the Plrat Qua1•te?"V1G.1ter Oene:ral,, 

Gene:?"al ot Inrent17, .M:r. Lud.endorfi', Bxcelleney, Grand Beadquaziitera. 

Ch1et or the General Start ot the 

.i lsld Al'!llJ" 

l C rr. -291 Secret 

P. Ctiet ot nomm\'\D1oat1ona 

1, VIII 17 

F.e.tercnce 7our IV t Br. 7-2SJi. aecret with requeat tor 

or .. 1.r ... 1an. 

b7 order and. acting 

(BJ.gned) von Bockelberg. 

T 0 P IBC:RB~ 
• REF ID:A6960. 

1· II r D .ri Ir II •• ,. 

c;,~t ~ Donlunlcatione Berw1ce 

f !! ;:. t.-! 01 IY t Br. TIH!8' 

~n: 1- VIII out 11 VIII 11 

It vu 11aat1med be:re that the tratric v1th the 11111crlpt1on. K1n1Pter or P01•e:l.gn A:t'fa1re 1164ridn and. "Minister of Poretga. :.=·tt.1.:;•1 Be:rl 1.n." va.a conduQ"Ced bJ' the hN4.ga. Ottloe or at. 

-: • ..,Aitt eno1?>heretl t!Vtre •. Pren tho above oamaun1oation rrcm 

t .. b' ;;:i .. >?-eip Ot':f'loa. u well as 1"l'ola •olutlon or another apt. 

Li• ~i11R tra!f.lio vbloh ha• been. -4·1 Manvhlle (Political · ·;~ '': ;..,_,, :J.B.l... ) it appears that tht• 1• not the oaae. .,_ ;or , . .,'Ua,, aa ;re t 1UU1olved 3T• t•• fPClll thia tzia:rnc. among Vlllob. u·.::1;: ,,r '"b• l'o...-e1gn Ott1oe must be tound, aN being vorlred on 

• :.r: tl&c:-r. 

!·~~nt;p1 Ott1ce , II • ., I 

9 • ~-5 ,.t 

.J tlr-. 19Ml 

Y. 8. 4. Ch. D. R. 

d. Ch. d. G. 

(Biped) TOD. llaaaov 

Bar1111. 17 Aqgut 1917 

In :zt'Jpl7 to letter ot 11 Mq ~ 

~ ~ Ir. '11' Seorat l encloeu.ra 

Ver1 8ecNt Bepreaentatlve ot tb8 ~1'81811 

Ott1oe 1D O:re.mt Beadquutera Br. 65' 

tbl'ough: 19 VIII 17 

signe4 Blll'on von Leraner 

~cur Ex~•llen07•• a•nU111Ption 1".hat tbe c1pha1'• •••1gae4 to 

1.l\iJ llR"":i' vere ooneideNd 1Q" tlJ.1• o:rt'1ae to 'be aul'f'1o1entl7 ae\l·!~e 11 ts cOJ.1Nct. !'he IPol'etp orr1oe •till take• the po:1Dt .1r "llt.:v that the other c1phei-• too - eapec1all.J' the LDtter1e 

Ci"iJd•l"•· ·:1.1.th J111oip]Mll'lll8Dt aacOl'diDg to nev pr1Do1ples, are 

~~aolutcl7 sec-.are ao lDD& •• theJ.18 1• DO beti-&J'al or aa1'81e•• 

!1.'A"Jdl1asi ot cipher -ter1al or ena1phe1'ed omireapcmdenoe. ·r~.> lona a uae or a. code 1•. ot' ocnu-8e. lJ.Jcel.J' to ll11ake 

te1 tb 1n the code art..4 ve h&Ye alv97a taken caN to e1'laDp .. 

cc ti.~! a.Dd lrq• .:rrequentl.7. VDIDl"tuaatelr 1 t Jiu .aeve been 

pc•• 1t·le tc cJ::aa.nge t.he h•quea.tl.7 uaed eolle• in Mad.r1 cl aa ve 

1hc.ulci J.c..ve liked. due to the 1"&r • .bOVever trequent obange 1n 

1r.1-:1.phc::"ll:.ent ha• 't.aen 11&4e. 

'l'a tlJa stateaenta ~ the AdmiN.l'tJ' Stan" rep1'd1ng der:t··il1e1-meJ1ta of tolepama ot tbe Jforetp Of'tlae to ud hem r.:~4 .. 1.dl' I ha.-.re ate.ted 1111' 'POll1t1on. iD IQ &1111VA1' or 17th 1nllt •• '1.1~ nave the ho:uol" to send Your :1z.,elleDCJ' a COPJ' he:NVl th. 

C >.71 ot Oh. B. 750 (81gud) YOD. ltuehl•na 

To tb8 71rat Quarte1maater Genel'Bl, General or Ia.tantl'J'. . Kr. J.uclen4o:rt't, BzoelleDOJ'. 

'IOP I B 8 R B 9? 
e REF ID:A6960 • 

. , r ., . ·. · 1 ,J _ ?l 'I 

'.' .. : • 

. . . ! . 750 ~- '. 19)1J2 \~7~ Secret Berlin. 17 VIII 1917 

.l.r~ r•t·l1' tf1 letteri oi' 27th u · t. 

D. 'TA~ Il 

Vlth tho 1-..tlmate aon.Lca l'fl:..&tiona vh1ch ba'l'a alvqa 

ia ··d i.n.ad bttweun. ti-• Adlla1ral.GJ' lit~r a.ad tba l'oNip Ottioe .: ,. 1 ~=1 i. :.er .ba• ;iever hea '\.ta t-Jd ~o plaae at the di•posal of 

i.1\ot Adllli11alt.t Suitt it• cipli•tr -tttr1a1. Juat ae t..'l\e .Admiralt7 

.:s. r-; "'~ :¥":.& t:urne4. over 1ta ao·Sea (T:-att1c and despatCh books) 

• o lr·• ''orelgr. ~trioa. I11 tnia ••7 tbe Adll1Nlt7 Btatt piDed. 2~c,~l't 1ntc our cipher •J"•t••· Slnae the land line ccmaun.-

t •..:. i 1on 111lth 8paln. ha• been blockt:1 all tel•Sl'•• ot the 4" 

: v1·t: t ec• Oft·:1 ce to and borfl ~pain have pa• ••d through tile war 

t ~ .:. urBl ottice of the Adl91ra1 t7 81.at'r. 'l'elegrm• an1T:1ng .-.,.., P .l'J"•t"olll r-~edl"ld, vhtcb axe destined tor the Mmira.lt1' Btatt. 

t&\r. h1~he!-to been pa.a•ed o~ to tl•e latter 1D cle&I' without · . c~tv•~·P.e •o thr.t lloth clpli.ar t:ext Bild 'Plalntezt vere avail- .... -:o,s-:thm•. aven nev lreJ'• haYt· been ae.nt .tran Madrid in ~ · """.:."" c..Jd.e. 'Ihu•, tbe oppor"Cuni t-;:"" ror deciphement vae 

1'1:.•.>;,•!.de.L Uncle?" lib 01ro1•11tanae11 other code• could be read • • .I J 

In the telegra:a dec1-phermente sulla1tted the Lotter1e ~1,1e~ vas not empl0784 ln a ain,gle case. The Poi-e1gD Ottiae t~!retcre •tick• to the point or vlev that 1t• D8V Lotter1e 

codee 111"8 perrectq ••cure prov14•d no poaa1bil1t7 or 1Ult utl',orized dMC1pheruaent 18 g1Yen ~ 'betl'&J'&l OS- lack or 

c•t•t1on. in ths1r 1111e. 

::n judging the Kadr1d C!ipher& cou14eration auat be 

e."-'"~" i.o the unavoidable c1ram11trnoe that ~ aould. .not be 

·shlt••eee du."!91.ng the var, otllel'V1ae thll aerie• t,, 1'h1.oh 2505 bel('ans~ VD\lld ha'l'e been replaced lODg alnoe bJ' tbs Lottnle ~l~~~~. A• atop-gap ••~?• the var1att01111 or the o1phera u1u14 

t.r.;' ;t:ulr" 4.s. t'be•e change• are hoquent and.. 1n pa.1't, v•Z'J' 

.is<J:•v tceRble. hr instance t!ie a7atem or tile •••al oodea v1 tb. mJtda~ld, trequentl.J' ob&nS.lna Jre7• 1• used there. 

!Pr-r the Nat. ve ue VG'l'king u.noeaa1Dgl7 to attain the 

\.·i:.r!c-at poaalble aecurltJ' or our enciphered ooneapond.anoe 

er rr~~~ent ct.ange ot aode• and reoiphe.raenta. 

(Signed.) Jtuehlmann . 

r.t. ":hflo Chte1• ot the Adlld.J1alt7 8'tatt.' or the B&YJ'. 

·'"'· B. g6o 25 IX 17 ON.ntl Bead.qWll't•:P• of Bi• Maje•tJ". J~111t o~ th• Caaa.UD1cat101111 Sa'!"1'1o• 2' lX 17. 3~ctl'>11 Y Rr. 791'1 

'!o tb• Chief ot tbe General Btatr at t!ut 1'1eld um,. 

Bnrloae4 are enoipbered radir.s:r- or a aUiau1t Jtoenlg- vuatfiJ.1ha11a&11 - Madl'id wh1al:I have been solved 10' 111' evaluation 

ce.nte:r 1D Grand Beadq1aJ1tea. It appear• to be a queatlon or ,, se~ret tr&rric or the Po.relgD orr1ce 1n Berlln with 1t• 

rvpreaentat1vea 1A &pa1D. 

IJOP BBGRB~ 
• 

• 

• 

•• REF ID:A69~ 

r - :-WPPf'IJI' 

-

1· 1• requested tl'Ult one ascertain vhetber the aolved 

r:· 1·1-1,.•:r:.H agree vi th the origtaala . 

• 

•. 8'J 8'191\) ..... 

a.I it. secMt&J7 or i">c.ate of' •• tie lPoNign ottiae vith a · 1Je~r. rar prompt atatam•nt. 

(Signed) Luclendol'tt. 

a. Ohlet ot Co11111unic1tiona 8eJtV1ae 

ff111elgn r.rr1ce J.nto:rma tl"'..at tb.e C1pber Sen1ae ot the 

"l'("!'f:•igr, Off 1ee 1• bef.Da reorgan1Ef'd. 

•81gned) von Buitenvart.ter 8 J:. 

Ch-a~ld Beadquar~era ot Bl• Majeaq- 22 IX 19 .7 

8es.ilt o~ Inveat1gat1on at 0!7Ptapapb--.o &J'•tem• ue4 1n 

Bad.lo 'lr&rt1c between Berlin and. lladr1d . The Tuioua tn•• ot N41ograma obeened here 1n t~:l.o 

: !' • e~, a lped on the one hand bJ' Zllmezwann, l:•hl•aun, ~··.· 1-., Jhl••che ar.4 GD the other band. 'b1' Bat1'b0r, Baaaevlts, ,,..,., r.e b1:von4 doubt belonging to the telepapll1o oamaun1oatlom .. .,. ··.he l'oreign Of't1ae vi th the Dlper1al .Aabasaador P•1noe 

•l:" 1 • .a.a'll:i.1 .&.a. lladr14, can be 41v14ed eeaent1alq into tvo main ~~..,·1pa;, 

1. !'•1•8.Nma vhlcll han at tb• 'beg1nn11J11 the 1nd1oator 

groupe 21082 • 181170, 21139' • · 1117, lMJi."' v1 tb. .If aa4 5 

d.1g1t group• up to 'ogob ara4 N.198 poup• •bO•• '°900. 

2. Ctpher.tele~• vlth tbe 1DdJ.aatmi p~ 005', 

500'• 5'00 • 0000, ''"''. 1'57. ch1etl.J' vi th ' 41.g:I. t poqpa. 

lfbe 1nveatip.t10D8 V8N -.le OD tbll baB18 Gr 1Dteroeptlld rac1opmu. 1.e., v1th the •- meazw Vhlob. - at the Vft7 

le.est. - voul.4 be ayall&ble to an \~Utho•ised., ho•t11• 4eoipl•rer. 

~b• zreault• are aa tollov•: 

To 1. Voi-lc cm telel.gl'ama v1th 1Dd1aator ...,,., 27082 

ab.ovad tbat: 

a. the telepa!U 81'8 enoocle4 but not enoipheNd • 

• b. tm code uaed 1• •r•t.atlo; the oo4e poupa ue 

cmpoaed. t4 2 and 3 pl&oe hcadiag n•ii•• and 2 plaoe oolmn 

r.:U111\".ere. Oroupa v1th the •- healing n•ber 11• ua1' 

t;or.etber 1n the alpJla'bet. 

Blnoe there 1• no doubt about the po••ib111Q' ot •o1Y1Dg 

an unenalphered. •J'•~t1o oocle, a.ad e!noe turtl'Jnlaore trm 

a aolvad alftbe~ tale...- the relat1o.Dah1p ot the a7at ... 27082, ~·1894, im, lMll• vaa ev1dan.t, vo:p'Jr vaa not oan1e4 f'1attlwr 

vi t.l\ these •1•t••· (Ct. Radlopmaa l'8ad .. B"Gnl-nt• 11 amll2). 

'!GP &•&BB~ 
' • h Ii '' 

.. 

REF ID:A696a.i 

• • 

-

' 

·."il 2. Inn•t1.ot1on of t..'1.e t1lesr•• vith 1D41catol' · -~ .. , , .~051. nooo, (3'Jl~ 1'57 71elded the tollov1ng reau.lte 1 

a. tlJe talap-• enao4e'1 with a code and enoipb-

• :·· :.1 aeveral Mthada. In 0000 eno1phel'm8nt 1• bJ aillple 

r.; 11;.1i.I;'~:. 31 t.10?1 Ot the CU. g1 l.• or tbf. gz:oupa 1 lD tbe other 

• .... ?f'gtF..:r.s bJ' a.d.c1t1on and •t•b•t1tut1DD acc02'd.1n8 to tNQuentl.7 

' \.f.r\B~ ne Jra)'"s. (Supplement 1) 

IJ'l1,. di~,.n•mrJ' ot t.he tne• or eno1phe:rment and thull the ~ .. • ... ~·•· · .··: o:r all t-JIE1ae -.;y;;ea to one basic t1'P8 vaa canted 

: w•· :JllG O)>el"D.tul" in. ' · 1f!t!r'k8. 

b. r~'tle code th,1• diaa•>V'f:Nd la entlrel:r °'· place; ·~ ·... ~· t; ;:: 1 d tt 1. t pre;L-1:r.e4 i:o ll&nJ' dJIOUI>• 1• a bl111d. Bo • 1 :ii: '?:t was Co u "ld in the a "CructUl'a or tlut aode. The code 

L-' rn-ad out to ·oe the completeQ' lr.Ngular ao-ca11'4 •Lottel'-

t e ·-.a1tt~a 11. Cont:N!'J' to the op1111.on or the l'oreip Ort1ce 

• :•h·h ''•~'l'e!! f1rat and laat to the v1av tbat the 4eo1pher- •• (.i1t. ot the Lotlei=ieahiff,.e la ab•olutelJ :lmpoaelble• tvo 

11rt.•l-ker• vere able in 4 ver.k• to :reach the state o~ 4ea1pl_wrl ":rat. ahovn 1n the appel'JdeC:. tel•P.81'• (8uppl-nt• 2 - 10) • 

."··•:uo:rcU.ng to our ezpr:P1mae Vit;.h o"t.ber Lotterlechittre• lD 

ci!.plol!i&tla tl'a:t"t1a l•·B·, Italian K. 19) lt v01lld be poea1ble ~'" a tev veek• to O&Pl'J' the VOl'k to a point where alaoat ev917 

.;1,1\eg:"'IUI oould '!Je aol'1'84 'l'or praotical pmpo•••· 

1'b"t pl'eoe41ng Pl'O'I'•• mat •7•t• 005,. 0000. '"'· 1,57 a•~ be aolTed &Dd la thei-etore open to c~1t1o1am. 

aegal'd1ng the append.ad •olu.t1~na ot •••aae• 1t _,. be 

es14 tbatr 

1. The :5 plaoe group• 1D. the beadillg ge.a.e!'&llJ' •J:unr 

n.1::.mber e.mt date or the mea•aga. 'l'he•e are eno1phei'a4 b;r a !!j.M#t;lP.~. tabla ror n•bere anc date• vhiah vaa eolve4 here. 

~!. It lie• 1D tb8 nat11N ot a mm-alpbabet1o code ·.~..r..,ttel"~eoh1r:f'.N) tlJat the i-eaoveNd value• ot o1pher poupa rlo not alvqa '11'9• 1D vO?d.tng vi ta. the •ad' nga 1n tb.e Ol'1~'l~a.\ oode and. that Y01'411 mi NN 000Ul'1'9Aae OllD on.l.J' be d.J~i~el'ed vith 11111ted O''t-ta1n:tJ'. 

I. v: (8~4) Btuetsel 

Lt. ot the Beaene. 

•