763.72/2798½

The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The president’s peace talks carried over the dangerous moment after the submarine submission. Von Jagow told me that President [Page 689] and you must not think because of debates in Reichstag that President is not welcome as mediator.

Crops look well.

The Break in Austro-Russian line is reported to have been caused by wholesale desertions of Ruthenian troops to Russians.

The editor of the National Zeitung responsible for the fake interview with me has been “fired” from that paper which has published a notice to that effect.

Yours ever

J. W. G[erard]