File No. 763.72119/224

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

757. Department’s telegram December 16, 5 p. m.1 Was unable to get appointment with Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday, he being occupied all day with address delivered in evening to Chamber Deputies on subject of German peace proposals, but I had interview with Undersecretary and presented informally points in telegraphic instructions accompanying English translation note. To-day presented note and substance instruction to Minister of Foreign Affairs and requested that he intimate confidentially character and purpose of response his Government will make. He replied that reply not yet concerted and when done, if he got it in time, he would inform me if possible, but expected it would be published almost immediately on being agreed upon. Reply will probably be formulated at Paris as central point. He mentioned that his tone in yesterday’s speech was possibly a little calmer than reported speeches delivered in Duma and French chambers; he felt that to reject flatly German note would be to play into hands of enemy powers. He was evidently pleased at position taken in American communication not to connect with present peace move any representations which the President may make, and he evidently thinks it would be advisable to wait a little while, as it would be difficult, he said, to have any large thing such as he supposed the President might put forth follow immediately after Germany’s step without its being connected in public mind with the step itself. He made no comments on suggestions in American communication, but I thought he accepted the situation with equanimity.

Nelson Page
  1. Ante, p. 94.