763.72/3262½
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: Mr. Polk reported to me that the Swiss Minister on Saturday called at the Department and in my absence saw him. The Minister said he had received a reply to a suggestion which he had made that he might do something here to prevent war between this country and Germany.99 He stated in substance what is contained in the enclosed memorandum,1 and Mr. Polk said he would submit the matter to me.
I told Mr. Polk Sunday morning when he told me of the interview that I wished to have the statement in writing and until then would make no comment. He saw the Minister and as a result Sunday night I received the enclosed note and memorandum.
Prior to seeing Mr. Polk the newspapers were informed that Germany had taken steps to open a discussion with the United States as to means for preventing war. Both Mr. Polk and I denied this Saturday afternoon but it appeared under prominent headlines in all the Sunday papers. When the Swiss Minister was asked if he had given this out he denied having done so, and no one in the State Department knew of the interview of the Minister with Mr. Polk, except Mr. Polk and I. There seems to be one conclusion as to the source of the newspaper reports and that is the German Embassy which is in constant communication with the press.
As to the memorandum of the Swiss Minister I think that there is little to say. Of course we cannot for a moment consider negotiations either formal or informal unless the German Government ceases its present ruthless methods and returns to the status quo ante the proclamation of January 31st, and that the memorandum declares they cannot do. Of course they knew that we would not accept such a condition as appears in the memorandum and, when it was sent, they knew that there could only be a refusal to an overture on that basis.
I believe that the purpose of this movement had nothing to do with an actual desire to open negotiations, but was intended for public consumption in this country and as an aid to those who are endeavoring to stir up opposition to the Government’s continuing to take a firm and unyielding attitude toward the present ruthless conduct of Germany. The wording of the memorandum, the publicity given the idea that the German Government was ready to negotiate before we knew it, and the extension of the statement in the press [Page 598] beyond the exact language of the memoranda, all indicate the design of embarrassing this Government by putting it in the light of refusing to consider overtures of arrangement voluntarily offered by Germany. It is apparently done to convey the impression that Germany is willing to do anything to prevent war but that you are not willing to listen to them, being determined to go forward. The attempt is to throw the responsibility on you in case hostilities cannot be averted.
I am convinced that the whole scheme was hatched here in Washington, and that not only Bernstorff had much to do with it but also I am ashamed to say that I believe that he has been assisted by certain Americans who are antagonistic to your policy and who will go to almost any lengths in order to force you to recede from the firm position which you have taken. I have heard in the last few days some things which have aroused my intense indignation against certain people and which, if true—and the evidence seems very strong, smacks of treason. I do not wish to write of these matters but will tell you when I see you.
It seems to me that the only answer which can be made to the memorandum is to say that no discussion or negotiation can take place except upon the condition precedent that the proclamation of January 31st be annulled; and that, when that has been done, this Government is prepared to consider any subjects which the German Government desires to propose for discussion. I also think that the memorandum and our answer should then be made public, in order that the people may have no erroneous impression as to the character of the German overture, and we may counteract the effect which has possibly resulted from the insidious statements published by the Germans here and those who are aiding them to arouse opposition to the Government.
Faithfully yours,
- For correspondence previously printed concerning this peace move, see ibid., pp. 125, 126, 129, 136–137, 139–141.↩
- Ibid., p. 126.↩