Date and number

1919 Jan. 8 (27)

Jan. 10 (89)

Jan. 10 (84)

Jan. 11 (87)

Jan. 13 (79)

Jan. 15 (44)

Jan. 23 (67)

1918 Nov. 26

Dec. 2

GERMANY

THE GERMAN ARMISTICE-Continued

Subject

The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State

Opinion of the British commander in chief in the Mediterranean that it is necessary to evacuate the German troops from Turkey through the Mediterranean because of the growing difficulties in the Ukraine.

The Chargé in Denmark (Osborne) to the Commission to Negoti-
ate Peace (tel.)

Fear that British bunkers are being used to break the Baltic
blockade; doubt that blockade is necessary but belief that
present administration is detrimental to American interests.

The Chargé in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Commission to Negoti-
ate Peace

Note from the German Government, transmitted through
the Swiss Political Department, asking for authority to send
vessels from Hamburg to repatriate German troops on the
Black Sea (text printed).

The Chargé in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Commission to Nego-
tiate Peace

Memorandum from the German Government, transmitted through the Swiss Political Department, protesting against measures taken by the French authorities in Alsace-Lorraine (text printed).

The Chargé in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Commission to Nego-
tiate Peace

Memorandum from the German Government, transmitted by the Swiss Political Department, in regard to the evacuation of territories of the former Russian Empire by German troops (text printed).

The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State
Proposal by British High Commissioner at Constantinople
that German troops be transported home in four German
vessels now at Constantinople; British Government's concur-
rence in proposal.

The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State
Letter from Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss to the British
Admiralty, attaching a report of the Allied Naval Mission
appointed to ensure the execution of article 28 of the armistice
(texts printed).

GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS

The Swiss Minister (Sulzer) to the Secretary of State

Information that German Government would be grateful for an early reply to its communication regarding negotiations for a preliminary peace.

(For German note, see abstract of telegram No. 29, December 14, page XII.)

The Swiss Minister (Sulzer) to the Secretary of State

Proposal by the German Government that a neutral commission be organized to probe the responsibilities for the war (text printed).

Page

58

59

60

61

64

66

66

71

71

Date and number

1918 Dec. 11 (6132)

Dec. 14 (29)

1919 Jan. 6 (119)

Jan. 8 (71)

Jan. 10 (229)

Feb. 1

Feb. 1

1918 Nov. 29 (2183)

GERMANY

GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS-Continued

Subject

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Acting Secretary of
State (tel.)

Request from Swiss Political Department that, if possible,
U. S. Government put it in a position to reply to repeated
questions of German Minister in regard to date and place of
the peace negotiations.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

Note from Swiss Legation transmitting communication from German Government expressing anxiety for peace negotiations to begin immediately (texts printed); statement that Department is replying to Swiss Legation that matter has been referred to Commission to Negotiate Peace.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

Note from British Chargé (text printed) stating that German Government has proposed to British and French Governments that a neutral commission be appointed to probe the responsibilities for the war; setting forth British and French opinion that no reply is necessary since Germany's responsibility is already established; and inquiring as to attitude of U. S. Government. Inclination of Department to adopt course followed by British and French Governments.

The Chargé in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Commission to
Negotiate Peace

Information that Swiss Political Department has requested
an answer to its note concerning the desire of the German
Government to be informed as to the date on which peace ne-
gotiations will commence.

The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of
State (tel.)

Agreement with suggestion that Department follow lines
adopted by British and French Governments in regard to
German proposal of a commission to fix war responsibility.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Swiss Minister (Sulzer)

Statement that U. S. Government considers that German proposal does not require an answer since Germany's responsibility for the war has already been established.

The Acting Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay)

Information that U. S. Government has taken action similar to that of British and French Governments in regard to German proposal.

STATUS OF THE FORMER GERMAN EMPEROR

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Secretary of
State

Telegram from the Foreign Minister to the Minister in the
United States, November 21 (text printed), giving a résumé
of the Premier's statement regarding the ex-Kaiser's status in
Holland as a private person.

Page

72

72

73

73

74

74

74

76

Dec. 12 (5463)

Dec. 12 (5464)

Dec. 31 (2318)

1919 Jan. 8

(80)

GERMANY

STATUS OF THE FORMER GERMAN EMPEROR-Continued

Subject

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Secretary of
State (tel.)

Text of abdication document signed by Emperor Wilhelm at
Amerongen, November 28.

The Counselor for the Department of State (Polk) to the Assistant
Secretary of State (Phillips)

President Wilson's unwillingness to commit himself as yet in the matter of ex-Kaiser's punishment.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secretary
of State (tel.)

Text of document by which ex-Crown Prince gives up rights
to crown, signed at Wieringen, December 1.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secre-
tary of State (tel.)

Statement by Foreign Minister that Dutch Government has
not been informed by German Government that it would not
oppose demand for appearance of ex-Kaiser and ex-Crown
Prince before international court; indication, however, that
Dutch Government would welcome such a solution.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secre-
tary of State (tel.)

Report of German efforts to convince Allies of ex-Kaiser's
harmlessness.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secre-
tary of State (tel.)

Memorandum signed by German Minister in the Netherlands attesting to the ex-Kaiser's lack of political relations with Germany (text printed).

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secre-
tary of State

Report on situation in the Netherlands; Queen's interest in
possible visit by President Wilson; evidences of growing irri-
tation at presence of ex-Kaiser.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Commission to
Negotiate Peace (tel.)

Statement made by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice on the subject of the Government's attitude toward the exKaiser (text printed).

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Acting Secre-
tary of State (tel.)

Report on the attempt of Colonel Luke Lea and his party
to see the ex-Emperor; suggestion that affair be called to the
attention of War Department and commander in chief of
A. E. F.

Page

77

78

78

78

79

80

80

84

85

Date and number

1918 Nov. 11

Nov. 19 (5270)

Nov. 20 (1301)

Nov. 21 (5873)

Nov. 21 (3168)

Nov. 22 (5897)

Nov. 24 (3187)

Nov. 25

GERMANY

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

Subject

Mr. William C. Bullitt, of the Division of Western European
Affairs, to the Secretary of State

Résumé of reports which have reached Department in regard
to political conditions in Germany: dominance of Social Dem-
ocrats made up of (1) Independent Socialists (radicals) and
(2) Majority Socialists, who favor democratic election of con-
stituent assembly. Suggestion that Majority Socialists would
be strengthened by a statement from President Wilson that a
German Republic would be welcomed and would be assisted
with food supplies.

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State

Description of the socialist revolution in Germany with names of officials now in power; aim of present government to call a constituent assembly.

The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Secretary of State

Request from German Foreign Minister, Solf, that, in view of
threat to present government by radical element, the Entente
Powers let it be known that Bolshevism will not be tolerated.
Request for observations of U. S. Government.

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

From Zurich, November 19: Statements by reliable inform-
ant that present German Government is controlled by three
Majority Socialists, who stand for order, and three Independ-
ent Socialists, who have Bolshevik tendencies; that only food
can save Germany from Bolshevism; and that President
Wilson should make it clear that unless order is maintained,
the United States will not help with food.

The Chargé in Denmark (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

Opinion that only continued reiteration that an undemo-
cratic Germany cannot expect food from the western democra-
cies will counteract Bolshevik influence.

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

From Zurich, November 21: Communication from reliable
source in Berlin (text printed) describing rise of Spartacus
group, left wing of Independent Socialists, and advising ulti-
matum from Entente Powers.

The Chargé in Denmark (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

Information that a group of Germans, upon their return to Berlin, intend to propose an appeal to the Associated Governments that a commission be sent to Germany to investigate conditions.

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

Report by Mr. William C. Bullitt (text printed) showing trend toward Bolshevism in Germany and suggesting steps that should be taken to support moderate democratic socialists (Ebert government).

Nov. 25 Mr. William C. Bullitt, of the Division of Western European

Affairs, to the Secretary of State

Fear that Bolshevism in North Germany is inevitable unless action is taken at once.

Page

888

89

94

95

96

97

98

98

101

GERMANY

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN GERMANY-Continued

Date and number

Nov. 25 (64)

Nov. 26

Nov. 26 (3205)

Nov. 26 (77)

Nov. 27

Nov. 28 (196)

Nov. 28 (197)

Nov. 30 (5324)

Nov. 30 (206)

Subject

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

Suggestion that Mr. Hoover might proceed to Berlin in order to study and report on situation there.

The Secretary of State to the Special Representative (House)
(tel.)

Request that Allied Powers be asked if they would join
the President in notifying the Germans that there could be
no peace negotiations with them until a constituent as-
sembly had been elected and a definite form of government
set up.

The Assistant Secretary of State (Phillips) to the Secretary of
State

Opinion of Mr. Rickard that Dr. Taylor and Mr. Kellogg
should go to Berlin instead of Mr. Hoover, since they could
do so with less publicity.

The Chargé in Denmark (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of
State (tel.)

Report by a newspaper correspondent in Berlin (text
printed) that Scheidemann had said that opposition to con-
stituent assembly would cease if President Wilson should
state that only through it could peace be made.

The Secretary of State to the Special Representative (House)
(tel.)

Request that Mr. Hoover be consulted concerning sugges-
tion that Dr. Taylor and Mr. Kellogg proceed to Berlin.
The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay)

Statement that, since the President and Secretary of State will soon be in Paris, it seems best to determine there what measures should be taken in regard to the Bolshevik menace in Germany.

The Special Representative (House) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

Information that in hurried conversation Hoover did not seem to think it wise to send men to Berlin at present.

The Special Representative (House) to the Secretary of State
(tel.)

Memorandum written by Mr. Hoover (text printed) stating that the British have objected to any action on food situation in Germany without their participation and expressing opinion that for amity's sake the British Foreign Office might simply be informed that inquiry agents, Dr. Taylor and Mr. Kellogg, are being sent to Germany.

The Minister in the Netherlands (Garrett) to the Secretary of
State (tel.)

Report on the political situation in Germany, with a list
of the political parties and their leaders.

Colonel E. M. House to the Secretary of State (tel.)

Note from the French Foreign Minister (text printed) stating objections to sending joint notification to the Germans as proposed in telegram No. 64, November 25.

Page

101

102

102

103

103

104

104

104

105

106