PRE-WAR PAPERS NEGOTIATIONS RELATIVE TO THE CONCLUSION OF TREATIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF GENERAL PEACE1 File No. 711.0012/403 The Secretary of State to the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs (Streit) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 15, 1914. At the request of the American Minister at Athens, I have the honor to inform you that the President's peace plan has been accepted in principle by thirty-four countries as follows: Italy, Great Britain, France, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Peru, Austria, the Netherlands, Bolivia, Germany, Argentina, China, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica, Salvador, Switzerland, Paraguay, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Japan, Persia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The following-named countries have entered into treaties endorsing the principles and details of the plan: Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Bolivia, Portugal, Persia, Denmark, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Italy. Copies of these treaties are being forwarded to you by mail. Draft of treaties is agreed upon with Great Britain, France, Norway, and Uruguay and will be signed in a short time. W. J. BRYAN File No. 711.0012/531f The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 15, 1914. Seventeen treaties have been signed providing for investigation in all cases. Am expecting to sign four more next week including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The form of the British and French 1 For the statement of the American Peace Plan and documents showing the progress previously made with it, see Foreign Relations, 1913, pp. 8-12; 1914, pp. 171, 331, 1068. As additions to the list, given in the first telegram below, of countries with which treaties were signed before the outbreak of the war, are to be noted: Norway, June 24 (ibid., 1914, p. 971); Peru, July 14 (ibid., 1915, p. 1279); Uruguay, July 20 (ibid., p. 1307); Brazil and Chile, July 24 (ibid., 1916, pp. 43, 46). For papers on the related subject of preparations for a third Hague Peace Conference, see ibid., 1914, pp. 4, 10. 3 treaties has been agreed upon and will be signed upon the same day, but before signing the British treaty must be submitted to the selfgoverning colonies for ratification. This will probably require a month. I shall mail you copies of the British and French treaties. We are very anxious to have Germany join with us in one of these treaties, she having already accepted the principle. The German Ambassador is now visiting in Germany. Please see him when he reaches Berlin and go with him to the Foreign Office and suggest the propriety of considering at once the details of the treaty so that Germany can sign on the same day with Great Britain and France. The British and French treaties are substantially like the Netherlands treaty of which you have a copy. We are willing, however, to make any desired change in the details. It will be very gratifying indeed if the German treaty can be signed simultaneously with the British and French treaty. Use your best endeavors to this end. BRYAN File No. 711.0012/429 The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Berlin, July 18, 1914, 1 p. m. [Received 10 a. m.] Asked Count Bernstorff who is at country place to accompany me Foreign Office about peace treaty. Received reply: "Sorry will not be in Berlin for some time. Am afraid no use taking steps about peace treaty." I again took the matter up Von Jagow, Minister for Foreign Affairs, but regret to report absolutely no chance Germany signing for reasons stated in my previous despatch.1 All parties unanimous. Von Jagow congratulated us on the success of your Mexican policy. GERARD 'The telegraphic despatch referred to, dated February 19, 1914 (File No. 711.0012/280), follows: AMERICAN EMBASSY, Berlin, February 19, 1914. Wish that I could report that there was some chance of peace treaty like Salvador or Netherlands but there is no probability whatever of Germany signing. Have not only tried regular authorities but have made other repeated efforts and talked with professors, members of Parliament, etc. Find public opinion here against treaty, not on the ground that they are unfriendly to the United States but because if they signed with us they might be asked to sign by some European nation and if they refused that nation refusal would seem hostile and to sign would be to throw away the advantage Germany has as the result of great sacrifices in being European nation readiest for immediate and decisive blow in war. GERARD File No. 711.0012/531t The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 14, 1914. Eighteen treaties ratified yesterday. Is Great Britain disposed to sign treaty when approval of Colonies received or does she prefer to wait until the war is over? It would seem desirable to sign as soon as possible in order to cover any dispute that might arise as result of the war. Please report prospect as several other treaties awaiting action of Great Britain and France. Am inquiring of France. BRYAN File No. 711.0012/616a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 14, 1914. . Eighteen peace treaties ratified yesterday. Is French Government disposed to consider signing treaty agreed upon when Great Britain is ready or must it await the conclusion of the war? It seems desirable that it should be signed as soon as possible in order that both countries may have the benefit of it in case any dispute should arise as result of the war. Has any answer been made to our representations in regard to interpretation of section relating to report? BRYAN File No. 711.0012/462 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, 376. Yours August 15 [14] about treaty cannot secure authoritative answer till Monday or Tuesday when I will inform you definitely. I am sure that war has not changed disposition of the British Government but I fear it has put insuperable physical difficulties in the way of signing treaty before Congress adjourns. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR |