File No. 763.72119/7726

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

8749. My immediately preceding telegram. It should be observed that the Emperor Karl’s message is to be communicated in writing to the King of Spain, which makes it appear certain that it is sent with the knowledge and approval of the German Government.

The Emperor Karl proposes preliminary discussions without mentioning terms, in anticipation of a final world’s peace conference. This is what the Germans have aimed at from the beginning, notably, the encouragement of attempt last September, also through Madrid,1 to bring about preliminary discussions with the British authorities without the knowledge of Great Britain’s allies.

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