763.72/3107½
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22.]
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The weather is most depressing. Dark and rain every day. All hands seem cross. Zimmermann, I think finds it much more difficult to be the responsible first than the criticising second. It is not as easy as it looked to him.
The Kaiser, I hear direct, stated the other day that he did not expect peace now, that the English would try a great offensive in the Spring and would fail.
Hoover writes me that the Germans are violating all the pledges in Belgium. He expects a year of great difficulties.
I hear this confirmed on the best authority and that even the German official who is supposed to see that food is not sent from Belgium to Germany, in violation of Germany’s pledges, sends out butter to his family.
I hear on the best authority that there is an absolute reign of terror in Belgium. Sudden and arbitrary arrests etc. I think the Germans want to see all foreign diplomats out of Bucharest and Brussels . . .
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The greatest danger re submarine war is that unthinking persons in the United States may start a crusade against the President’s policy, encourage the Germans in the belief that we are divided and lead them to resume reckless acts in that belief. The continuance of a strong front is the best way to keep the peace.
Both Zimmermann and the Chancellor asked me about Bernstorff and, returning good for evil, I said that he was O. K., on very good terms with the government, well liked, and that no one could do better. One of his kind friends sent Zimmermann the “Sketch” bathing picture.
The Germans will do nothing about Belgium. The deportation was a military measure, demanded by Ludendorff, who constantly fears a British landing on the Belgian coast.
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The food situation grows worse. Potato cards must now be presented in restaurants and hotels. I doubt if the potatoes can last beyond April. There is food in Rumania but much will go to troops, Austrians and Turks, and railways are so used by troops etc. that it is doubtful if any food from there can reach Germany for months.
[Page 698]All apartment houses in Berlin are closed at nine and lights in halls extinguished. Theatres close at ten and cinos. There is want of coal due to lack of transportation.
Yours ever