File No. 763.72119/986
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7, 3.10 a.m.]
1131. Social Demokraten publishes communication from Petrograd via Svenska telegram bureau as follows:
From secret documents of Foreign Office has been published this morning telegram dated October 6 from our Chargé d’Affaires in London covering conference Allied diplomats in London called by Balfour who informed them that a German of high position had informed Spanish Ambassador, Berlin, he wished negotiate with England regarding peace. Spanish Government informed British representative in Madrid although refused act as intermediary. Balfour had replied British Government prepared receive communication which German Government may wish make regarding peace and will, together with its Allies, discuss communication. Also remarked that answer so clearly worded in order avoid Germany trying to falsely interpret it. This publication at this moment is political event of immense interest. Now Germany faces this question, has she broken off peace negotiations thus begun after it was clear England would not consent to separate peace at expense of Russia.2