763.72/2343½
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21.]
My Dear Mr. Secretary: All of a sudden the people are beginning to talk peace. The Reichstag members, all now in town, are bolder, and many not Socialists are talking peace. These joining with the Socialists (but not openly) will force the Chancellor to make some statement about peace and as to what Germany is fighting for. The Chancellor will follow the sentiment of the Reichstag whatever it is on the day he makes his speech. That will be before this reaches you. Quiet meetings of Reichstag members are being held.
Butter is scarce; women rush the shops.
The copper roof on a new building near here is being taken off.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hindenburg is out with an interview saying it is not yet time to make peace—that France wants Alsace-Lorraine & England will not make peace. This is Government order to try to stop peace movements in Reichstag and elsewhere.
I suspect Germans and Japanese of getting together.
Yours ever