763.72/3173½
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 6.]
Dear Mr. Secretary: The nearer I get to the situation the more I consider the President’s peace note an exceedingly wise move. It has made it difficult for the Terrorists here to start anything which will bring Germany in conflict with the U. S. The Chancellor, Zimmermann, Stumm; have all ridiculed the idea that Germany will go back on her Sussex pledges; but if she does, then the peace note makes it easier for America to enter the war on the Allies side with a clear conscience and the knowledge on the part of the people at home that the President did everything possible to keep us out of the mess.
Our love feast here and its advertisement all over Germany has also helped matters.
While the Chancellor, et al, have all stated to me that they would not name Germany’s peace terms, even in confidence, to the President, I believe that they will eventually do so, if they really want peace.
Everything points to a coming crisis in the matter of food, how serious it will be even the officials themselves do not know, as there is much concealed food and much smuggling over the various frontiers. In some parts of Germany, the country police or gens d’armes are searching the farmhouses thrice weekly.
I have secured permission to visit and inspect the enslaved Belgians, have named as inspectors all the members of our staff speaking French, but as yet have not received the passes.
My wife, just returned from a weeks visit to her sister in Hungary, reports a great desire for peace and that the persons who a year ago said that the President could have nothing to do with peace or negotiations, now say he is the only possible mediator. This comes from high government circles there.
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Yours ever