763.72/2694½: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p. m.]
4260. For the President and the Secretary only. [I hear] through credible channels that the recent secret session of the House of Commons brought out the feeling that the total fighting manhood of Great Britain was necessary to prevent the war ending as a [stalemate.] Universal conscription has given renewed confidence.
The belief is widespread here that the Germans are renewing or will renew efforts for peace on a [stalemate] basis which universal conscription will enable the Allies to reject. Economic pressure is also more and more relied on to bring a real Ally victory. Kitchener told Squier, our military attaché, that without American aid the war will last another year and that with aid it would end in an Ally victory within 6 months.