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  4. Document 13

File No. 763.72119/119

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

[Telegram]
Berlin, February 19, 1915.
[Received February 20, 5.10 p. m.]

1649. Yours about Colonel House received.1 Favorable moment is passing. Germans have gained great victory over Russians, are [Page 16] following it up and will soon turn and break through French lines. Germany will never make proposal, but if Colonel House can come here bringing secret reasonable proposal, it will be accepted in all probability, but Germany will never pay an indemnity to Belgium and, on contrary, will probably expect all or part of Congo and perhaps indemnity from France for portion now occupied.

Gerard
  1. No. 1196, post, p. 108.↩