The Washington herald., 1920-01-24

passionate popular excitement can
drive him Into the arms of war"
On December 80, Bernstorff wired
and on January 3, Bethmann-Holl-
veg received the following: -'Col.
House informs me of President Will
sons opinion that a peace confer
ence cannot be brought about with
out preliminary confidential nego-
tiations as. under present condi-
tions, our enemies would decline an
invitation to a. conference or would
make acceptance dependent upon
stipulations.
Would Trust Wilson.
Col. Houses communication was
accompanied by a request for alb
solutely confidential negotiations,
whereof ORGY President Wilson. Col.
House and myself should know any
thing. Absolute discretion would be
assured under these circumstances
as, contrary to other Americans,
both the President and Col. House
are pretty clever In keeping secrets.
II request speedy Instructions as
to whether i shall decline such
negotiations or whether your ex-
cellency will authorize me to pro-
ceed with them and will furnish me
the necessary Instructions. 1 sub
nit the above proposal in the con-
viction that our enemies will not
enter such negotiations unless
strong pressure be brought upon
them here, and pressure Will be
used. in my opinion, IL your excel
lency will accept as possible the
principle of American mediation.
Except in respect to Belgium the
questions OF local government
might bring to us In all the nego-
tiations more advantages than dis
advantages, because the Americans
have only now fully recognized the
significance Of England's predomi-
nance at sea President Wilson at
taches comparatively small import
ance to territorial questions. n the
peace terms. / am still of opinion
that chief stress must be placed
upon what are called here guar
antees' for the future. If we can
give to President Wilson the exten-
sive powers he seeks he believes he
can bring about a peace &C inference.
because the chief argument OF the
enemies would thereby be disarmed.
Listened 10 hOubcs
Your Excellency is acquainted with
President Wilson's ideas Of guaran-
tees. particularly in respect to limited
disarmament on land and sea. aroi-
itration and a league Of peace, based
on your Excellency's Reichstag
speech.
.I believe il the Imperial Govern
ment would grant such assurances
and conditions the result would be
peace. ] have maintained toward
Colonel House, for the most part. a
listening attitude. not undertaking
to anticipate for him any course your
Excellency may adopt. Nevertheless,
1 am of Colonel Houses opinion that
with the aid Of the United States a
peace conference can be brought
about. Our peace offer created
great change in public opinion here.
We will not be deprived of this ad-
vantage, even IL 1t be thought. as
our enemies have professed to believe,
that we had only made a fine theatri-
cal gesture in order to bring the idea
before public opinion.
"It cannot yet be stated what
steps President Wilson would take
II your Excellency should authorize
me to open the proposed negotiations.
That will depend essentially upon
your Excellency's instructions. 1t Is
perhaps intended that Colonel House
shall go personally to England. The
more your Excellency will communi-
cate to me as to our readiness to
give securities the better it will be
for US from the local viewpoint.
However. 1 do not know but that
your Excellency would rather drop
negotiations than accept American
aid. My own opinion Is that there
will be no need Of admitting the
United States into all the negotia-
tions."
Zimmerman Wires Ambassador.
On January Secretary Zimmerman
wired to Ambassador Bernstorff: "As
to your suggestion there exists good
disposition. particularly in regard to
the proposition for league of peace.
Detailed Instructions follow. We re-
quest telegraphic report as to their
execution"
On JanuaryS Under-Secretary Stumm
wired to Ambassador Bernstorfr:
please wire Immediately your Ex-
cellency's personal opinion Of the inn
preston made by our last telegram.
Discussion with Secretary Lansing,
however. must not = suapondod - 1