File No. 763.72/2033
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15, 5.15 p. m.]
2734. There is hope here of capturing a large part of the Russian Army. If this happens there is expectation that Sweden will move into Finland and that one or more Balkan states will side with Germany, even Servia making terms with Austria.
Believe Baron Burian was here secretly yesterday probably on Polish question or hope of arrangement with Servia. Talk here of neutral conference with either Sweden or Holland at head.
Demarcation between parties favoring annexation or against it becoming marked. Great industrials led by Krupp’s, which is employing martial law, and accelerators of public opinion are for annexing Belgium and northern France, and the Junkers are for increasing agricultural influence and counterbalancing this increase of industrial influence by annexing Poland and Baltic provinces of Russia. Germans fear that if Poland becomes part of Austrian Empire the Empire will then be Slav. Body reasonable men led by Princes Henckel von Donnersmarck and Hatzfeldt, Professors Delbrüek, Dernberg, Harnack, head of library, and others are opposing annexation, all secretly. Probably Reichstag will be petitioned to allow discussion of objects of war at present forbidden.
Believe Turks under German supervision now producing plenty of ammunition. Over two thousand big shells a day.