File No. 763.72119/175
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 12, 8.30 a. m.]
5001. The following is confidential for the Secretary and the President only:
I gather from the feeling about German peace proposals [impression?] coinciding with my verbal report to you. Lloyd George interview is a restrained expression of governmental and public opinion.
Howard of United Press has shown me his telegram to his associates in New York which they were instructed to show to House. His opinion is that Germans do not expect peace yet, but they are willing that President should be rebuffed by British and they wish it to appear to neutral opinion that prolongation of war is caused wholly by British.
Hoover was recently approached by a man in Brussels who has close relations with German Government with request to convey a peace feeler to British Government. Hoover declined.
A prominent German who is an adopted citizen of Belgium was then approached by a close friend of the German Chancellor with Chancellor’s request that he visit King of Belgium and induce him to approach Allied Governments. This request was finally got to the King through the Belgian Minister here.
The recent visit of Spanish Minister in Belgium to King of Spain on same errand and King’s refusal has now been published in newspapers here. All these facts, and I am informed more of similar kind, are known to British Government who regard them not as sincere effort to bring peace but as material for Germans to use at home and in propaganda in neutral countries to throw onus of continuing war on the Allies.
I venture suggestion that before President presents any German request he have British Government informally answer through routine channels whether they will receive it. If British decline, he can report that fact to Germans. Thus any inquiry can be made without offense to either side.