862.00/354
The British Chargé ( Barclay ) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him, by direction of [Page 95] His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that His Majesty’s Minister at The Hague has informed the Foreign Office that a member of the German Legation there, who has just returned from Berlin, has communicated to him through a third party a message from Dr. Solf, to the effect that the situation in Berlin is not at all what the papers make it appear. The present Government’s position is by no means secure and at times the ultra elements have the upper hand. Monsieur Joffe, the Russian Ambassador in Berlin, was sent away by the German Government a few weeks ago, but the extremists are doing their best to secure his return. If they succeed in their endeavours the situation will become critical. The Entente powers are asked to let it be known that there will be no toleration of Bolshevism, and it is earnestly hoped that the moment there are signs that disorderly elements are getting the upper hand, they will resume hostilities. The only thing that can assure the maintenance of order is fear of an immediate military invasion. The member of the German Legation added, probably as an expression of his own opinion, that despite the fact that the danger of Bolshevism in Holland would appear to be diminished at the present moment, it would at once spread from Germany to Holland.
In communicating the above, His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires is directed to request that the United States Government will be so good as to furnish His Majesty’s Government with any observations which they may have to make in the matter.