File No. 862.00/226
The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6.33 p.m.]
1718. Following is brief summary of Kühlmann’s speech before main committee of Reichstag as reported by Holland News Bureau:
After denying that German financiers took part in alleged financial conference of belligerents in Switzerland, Minister Foreign Affairs discussed conditions in Russia and Italy. He said that statements had been made that Germany observes too great reserve about [Page 332] her war aims and that this is a well-planned and treacherous manoeuvre by which it is understood that if Germany’s proposal to negotiate succeeds she will come forward with unheard-of requirements at the conference table, relying on the belief that the people tired of war would not give their ministers the necessary political support to decline Germany’s claims. For this reason [war] must go on until Germany is compelled to make her conditions known separately. If Germany’s enemies want to know what she wants then this is extremely simple. Germany is always ready for this and it would be a matter without parallel in history if a great meeting for international matters should have come together without previously having clearly stated by means of confidential conference what are really the opinions on both sides. Germany therefore greets the clearing up of the situation which has entered into the western powers under the influence of Germany’s latest great successes. The supporters of war to the bitter end required victory and nothing but victory and from the secret documents which have just been published by the Russian Government [it] is perfectly clear how they think to obtain this victory. He added that it is now sure that the papal note will not be answered by the western powers and that France and England have decided to rely upon force. Thus the German people will now have to answer by force and must persevere until the humane views which are now beginning to break through in the east appear also in the states of the west. In this connection perhaps the letter of Lord Lansdowne may be considered as a hopeful sign that the moderate elements are gaining ground in England.