File No. 763.72/3087
The Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30, 9.30 a. m.]
4796. Press summary. The German press approves in general of the German reply to the President’s note and of the promptitude with which it was prepared. Count Reventlow, however, hopes that Germany will not submit to American or any other neutral interference, and insists that after all that Lloyd George and Briand have said about Germany, no German delegates can possibly sit down at the same table with English and French delegates unless suitable redress is given. Vossische Zeitung writes that America’s interest in peace is purely selfish, and as such involves the protection of English interests, but that the German reply shows that Germany is aware of the danger of neutral intervention and is prepared to meet it. Frankfurter Zeitung writes that America and the other neutrals interested in the establishment of peace cannot but agree to the German reply, for it shows that the Central powers want to live in real peace with the other nations and refutes once for all the charges that Germany is ruled by military despotism; the Entente has only [Page 126] to answer in the same spirit and peace is near. Cologne Gazette writes that the clearness and simplicity of the German reply show the world that a direct exchange of views is the only way to peace, and that the publication of peace conditions now would only confuse public opinion and make peace more remote. The reply of the Entente will show whether they want peace in good faith or are willing to assume the full responsibility for the prolongation of the war. At any rate Germany has the satisfaction of knowing that [she has, in common with] our great neutral countries, stated sincere desire to restore peace to the world and to terminate the great calamity to humanity. Munich Neueste Nachrichten writes that the reply furnishes fresh proof of Germany’s willingness to cooperate in great task of bringing about a peace on the sure foundation of reality and right.
In an article in the Berlin Tageblatt, Herr Hoff, member of the Reichstag, writes that the shortage of potatoes has become alarming, the weekly rations having been reduced to three quarters of a pound, and that the balance must be made up by mill products which can only be done by utilizing the supplies found in Roumania to the fullest extent. If vigorous measures are immediately adopted—and they must be adopted if the German people is not to starve—a weekly ration of one pound of food can be made available until the next harvest.