File No. 763.72119/632
The Chargé in the Netherlands ( Langhorne) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1.45 p.m.]
961. Department’s circular 2d [1st]. In Vossische Zeitung, 6th, Georg Bernhard referring to statement Gerard made public by this Legation says:
I can readily understand that my statement is very embarrassing to Mr. Gerard but he can not dispose of it by simple denial. It is fact that he repeatedly made statements identical with what I wrote in article 24th. My interviews with Gerard were always very extended and often lasted several hours. I discussed with him as well as with Penfield when I was in Vienna the possibilities of mediation by Wilson. The gentlemen knew I was quite opposed to such mediation and naturally it was Gerard’s object to make it clear to me how advantageous such mediation would be to us. In these conversations it became quite clear to me that America’s interests were wholly identical with England’s and that President Wilson was trying to arrange peace favorable to England if only for the sake of their financial consolidation. It was then only natural to proclaim America’s agreement to German land acquisition in the east in order induce Germany to renounce all indemnity in land or money in west. This was always the pith of Gerard’s remarks which revealed complete lack of interest in Russia’s fate. I was not for a moment in doubt that Gerard felt himself completely in agreement with President on this point. Russia was to be sacrificed by England as permanent hatred between Germany and Russia was believed valuable political asset.