The President
indicated that he rather expected a reply to the inquiry to be sent
eventually from the Emperor himself, although he realizes that the
Imperial Chancellor may have consulted the Kaiser by telegraph before
talking informally with the American Ambassador.
President Wilson took no action as a result of the message, waiting to
hear from Ambassador Gerard whether anything of a more formal character
could be obtained by him which the United States might communicate to
Great Britain, France, and Russia. It was understood tonight that the
British and French Ambassadors who are in Washington were not informed
officially or unofficially by Secretary Bryan of the conversation
between the Imperial German Chancellor and Ambassador Gerard.
Germany's position is that she will give her opinion on terms of peace
when she has received a definite statement from the Allies of their
proposals. The statement that Germany did not want war, but had it
forced upon her, as well as the declaration that she wanted a lasting
peace, is almost identical with the remarks which Sir Edward Grey made
to Ambassador Page in London last week. The British Foreign Secretary
said England wanted no temporary truce, but a permanent peace, and one
that would safeguard her against sudden attacks such as Germany had
made.
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