File No. 763.72119/211

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1745. In pouch sent yesterday I forwarded a translation of a few paragraphs of the speech which M. Briand, President of the Council, made in the Chamber of Deputies on the 13th instant when announcing the formation of the new cabinet. The following paragraph seems to me to possess sufficient significance to warrant cabling you the text.

After referring to the speech by Mr. von Bethmann-Hollweg on the German proposition of peace Monsieur Briand said:

It is impossible for me to give you my views upon this speech of which I have not yet received the authentic text. I cannot express to you an official opinion. No government has, moreover, been approached up to the present time with these pretended proposals and it is doubtful whether those whose mediation is asked, at the present moment, under the present conditions, could accept such a delicate task, which might disturb many consciences.”

He continued by referring to the vagueness of the German proposal, shrouded in solemn phrases, meant to trouble the minds and consciences of the Allies and to influence neutrals, and that it was his duty to put the country on guard against what might produce in it a demoralization; that such a document when presented must be studied to see what it represented at the moment when it was sent out into the world and to what ultimate end it led.

Sharp