File No. 763.72/2541
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.30 p. m.]
2068. As nearly as I can interpret public opinion here, as affected by the sinking of the Lusitania, it is as follows, which I transmit for your information:
A profound effect has been produced on English opinion in general regarding both the surprising efficiency of the German submarine work and the extreme recklessness of the Germans. The sinking of the Lusitania, following the use of poisonous gas and the poisoning of wells, and the torpedoing of the Gulflight and other plainly marked neutral ships, the English regard as the complete abandonment of war regulations and of humanity in its conduct, as well as of any consideration for neutrals. Sir Edward Grey said to me last night, “They are running amuck.” It is war under the black flag. Indignation in the aggregate reached a new pitch.
Official comment is of course reticent. The freely expressed unofficial feeling is that the United States must declare war or forfeit European respect. So far as I know this opinion is universal. If the United States comes in, the moral and physical effect will be to [Page 386] bring peace quickly and to give the United States a great influence in ending the war and in so reorganizing the world as to prevent its recurrence. If the United States submits to German disregard of her citizens’ lives and of her property and of her neutral rights on the sea, the United States will have no voice or influence in settling the war nor in what follows for a long time to come. This, so far as I can ascertain, is the practically unanimous opinion here. The Americans in London are outspoken to the same effect.
Much the profoundest depression is felt to-day that has been felt since the war began and British opinion is stirred to its depths.
The foreign editor of the Times, a usually well-informed and trustworthy man, who knows all the principal European statesmen, is just returned from, a week in France. He tells me in strictest confidence that England, France, and Russia made a bargain with Italy on April 30, agreeing to cede to Italy very large parts of Austrian territory, some of which has a Slavic population, if Italy comes into the war within a month. This was done without consulting Servia and against her wishes. Italy will soon come in if she keeps her agreement, to be followed by Roumania. I have heard unofficial confirmation of this agreement here.
The same editor informs me that General Joffre told him that he is confident that he would break through the German lines within a month.
I have heard the opinion expressed to-day in several well-informed but unofficial quarters that warlike action by the United States would be a signal for other neutral nations whose rights Germany has disregarded, especially the Scandinavian countries and possibly Holland. For the correctness of this view I cannot vouch but I know it is widely entertained.