The Washington herald., 1920-01-26
BernstoJG Tried to Utilize
u. s. Presidential Campaign
To AuertWar, Messages Shov

| gestion which would bind us in the
matter OF territorial conditions.
"BERNSTc~ - ~. -
| In reply to the above the Chancellor
on Aug. IS wired to the Amba ssador:
| I'VE will he most ready 10 accept
the Presidents mediation. which may
/ lead to the beginning OF peace me-
gotiations between the belligerents.
| beg you to encourage strongly the
/ Presidents activity to this end. OF
course we cannot he expected, in ac-
4 cepting such mediation. to bind our
| selves to any concrete peace condi-
tions. general peace conference.
with participation OF neutrals only in
| connection with the successful pre-
ceding peace negotiations of the belIi-
| gerents, neutrals to have voice only
| iE general international questions.
such as freedom OF the seas and
Limitation of ornaments. These would
be the only concessions toIerable.
"BETHMANN."
House Sole Conhdnnt.
On May IS Ambassador Bernstorff
wrote to the Chancellor a letter re-
ceived on August %. as follows:
Wilson's peace projects are becom-
4 ing more and more tangible. The
only question is whether he will have
sufficient authority TO force our en-
emies into opening negotiations. Col.
House is convinced that Wilson will
be successful. The President thinks
| OF convening conference at The
Hague. wherein neutrals will partici-
pate only in respect to freedom of the
seas. II this conference comes about,
Col House will probably join it,.
though perhaps not as the official
American representative. His innu-
ence, moreover, might become very
great. as no one else stands in real
communication with Wilson. The lat
ter still holds that the United States
should by no means interfere with
proper peace conditions.
He and his alter ego are very
anxious. however. that our enemies
remain obstinate, because they had
or tried to cause the impression that,
in beginning peace action, The Frcsi-
dent had acted by Germany's instruc-
tions. This thought is continually put
| into discussion by England.
! 1--WE must oppose these ,ffot5 Of
the enemy as much as possible. I
hope they will not cause 100 great
! damage, because the demands fer
] the American people, and Wilson
can surely count on reelection il
he shall succeed in bringing about a
peace conference. We shall, there
! fore, daily win ground here so long
as 1t appears that we are ready to
meet the American peace action. while
our enemies are averse to II.
War Sentiment DimcuIt.
THE American people are essential
iy pacifistic. 1t becomes daily more
and more obvious how difficult il Is
to stir up sentiment for war prepared
ness. He who has lived here long can
not help being convinced that peace
ful money-making is the sole life in
interest Of Americans. Only when he
believes he has been deeply wronged
does the American allow himself ITO
be drawn into hysterical desire for
war.
why should a warlike desire dwell
in the heart of a nation whose lands
/ are broad. which has never seen an
enemy within its borders. and which,
! according to human calculations for a
! considerable time. can hardly expect
to see one? "BERNSTORFF."
On September the chancellor tele-
; dor: Secret. Our west front is
strong; the east front is somewhat en-
dangered by the Rouman nian declara-
tion of war. but a break through the
F.; front or the collapse of Austria IL
not apprehended. Turkey and Bul.
garia are reliable and Greece uncer-
tain. We hope to obtain peace before
winter through the fatigue of Russia
and the weakening Of France by this
development.
Does Wilson's peace mediation ap-
pear possible II not great catastro-
phe takes place in the east. or IL we
/ are successful there and guarantee
| the absolute restoration of Belgium
Otherwise, a ruthless submarine cam
paign will be seriously considered. We
request only your personal view. with
out giving hint In any direction.
''BETHMANN."
Depended ON Election.
Bernstorff wired to the Foreign Of
flee despatch received September II.
in which he said: Wilson's media
tion is for the present postponed. De-
cause he is momentarily hopeless on
account Of Rumania's entry into the
war. and the enemy's confidence of
victory in consequence
| Wilson believes he cannot mediate
before the election because England
would treat him dilatoriiy until after
the election. and. II he were not re-
elected England might cooliy refuse
him. But II Wilson should be vic
terious, and chances seem favorable.
with war operations at a standstill.
the President will Immediately tender
mediation.