The Washington herald., 1920-01-25


the basis Of the equsiisy Of nations,
az propesed hy us. Col. House In
formed me yesterday that the Presi-
cent would set at work at the ear
Hest opportunity, as he thought IA
70 our manifestations In regard to .
peace league"
Replying TO Secretary zimmerman's
telegram of February Is, Ambassador
Bernstorr wired to the foreign once q
message received February Is, say
Ing: Il prefer Switzerland. The mat
ter is OF increasing Importance. for II
conference Is proposed I shall still
consider 1t possible that President Will
son VIII not break on relations and
declare war but, on the contrary, he
will redouble his peace efforts"
On January 16 Under Secretary Won
Sturnm had wired Ambassador Bern
storn to hand over the interests Of the
German Embassy to the representa-
tives Of Switzerland In washington,
adding: In carrying out your m
structions. please adapt the line of
thought to the American mentality;
the wording In detail Is left to your
excellency."
On January II Secretary Zimmerman
wired to Ambassador Bernstorff the
note concerning submarine warfare
which was to be delivered ON January
81 to Ambassador Gerard in Berlin,
directing Ambassador Bernstorff to
make Simultaneous delivery of the
note to the American government. On
January g Bernstorff sent a message
TO the foreign Office. which received it
January q. in which he said:
Break Was Expected,
WILSON'S message to the Senate
meets with general applause. II is
considered further energetic step
In the peace movement Only our
widest opponents attack the Presi-
dent at pro-Geriman. Nearly all the
comments express a desire that the
central Powers should now also de-
clare their peace terms.
House has also asked me urgent
ly that this be done, either publicly
or confidentially. Wilson would then
propose a conference. The President
also shows an inclination to conclude
the Bryan treaty with US. Time Il
now unfortunately too short: other
wise 1t masht have helped to prevent
war.
The intended Unrestricted subma-
rine warfare viii probably complete
~ put an end to the peace moye-
ment- On the other hand. 1t is pos
sible that Wilson would redouble
his peace effort. IL time were grant
ed I would leave nothing untried
TO prevent war with, the United
States.
Would it not be possible, before
the commencement of unrestricted
submarine warfare, to state the
peace terms TO be submitted to the
Peace Conference proposed by us,
and to say. after the enemy's reject
ion' that we would no longer be able
10 maintain these mild conditions? ?
AT the same time we might hint
that. IL victorious. we would demand
the independence OF Ireland? Such a
declaration would win the sympa thy
OF local public opinion, so far as at
all possible.
"BERNSToRFF."
On Jan. 70. Bernstorff wired the
Foreign Once a massage received
Jan. y, when he said:
After very important confer
ence. most urgently request post
ponement until my next two mes
sages shah have been received.
"BERNSTORFF.''
Entente Note Called Bun.
On Jan. q, Bertstorff wired the
Foreign Office as follows: House
requested me- under Wilson's instruc.
tons, to visit him. Then he stated
to me the following. as an official
message from the President: "wil.
son. for the moment. offers confiden-
, tial peace mediation, on the basis
nf hta 70
to US for a statement of our own
peace terms Wilson does not regard
as confidential
House explained the Presidents q
ideas as follows; Our enemies ghav,
openly stated their peace conditions
Now We also are morally Obliged tc
communicate our peace terms, which
would have to be published here ant
in Germany. The President Is con
vinced that he would be able to
bring about the two peace confer
lences, If we only had confidence IL
him. 1t would give him special plea.
sure II your Excellency would al
the same time declare u readiness tc
enter into conferences. on the basi.
OF the Senate message. The Presi.
dent Is of the opinion that tho
Entente note addressed 10 him, bein.
oiun. need not be considered. He en-
tertains the sure hope for a peact
conference at such an early date a.
to avoid unnecessary bloodshed in ,
spring offensive.
1t Is impossible to Judge from
here how far your ExcelIency car
and Will meet Wilson. but 1 earnest.
ly request to submit the following
| IL the submarine warfare shall b,
commenced Immediately. it will
mean a blow to the President anc
war with the United States ineyi.
| tably. The local pro-war party will
gain the upper hand and the conclu.
sion of the war with England will
be removed indefinitely.
| Despite all that may be said tc
the contrary. the United States ar,
very great.
On the other hand, il we consent
to Wilson's proposal and the plan:
are frustrated by the obstinacy OF
| our enemies. it will be exceedingl,
| difficult for the President to enter
| the war against us, even il we
should then begin submarine war.
| fare.
1T can. therefore, be only a mat.
tetr of delay for few days, so as &c
| ameliorate our diplomatic position
| Personally. i am of the opinion that
we can obtain better peace by con-
ference than If the United States
should join our enemies.