File No. 763.72119/220
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 20, 8.10 a. m.]
5343. Your circular December 16, 5 p. m.1 Lord Robert Cecil has just informed me that the British Government will decline the German proposal to discuss peace because it contains no concrete terms with which such a discussion might begin and for other reasons; and that the Prime Minister will set forth the Government’s position in full in the speech which he is now delivering in the House of Commons.
I will telegraph the text of what the Prime Minister says at the earliest hour possible.
Lord Robert informed me that the British Government had requested the French Government to draw up the reply of the Allies to the note of the Central powers.