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wanted transportation and were obliged to wait at small stations without means of procuring food until another train happened to come along. The Embassy is now arranging for special trains for Americans to be sent to Holland every week or oftener, with dining and baggage cars.

A meeting of high officials and others was to-day held at the Rathaus to emphasize Germany's friendship for the United States. The press is now daily publishing articles on this subject, aiming to show the sympathy existing between the two countries and urging the German public to show Americans every possible consideration and sign of hospitality.

The Embassy has begun to prepare lists of Americans desiring transportation to the United States, in three categories: (1) Families with children under 13; (2) unaccompanied women; (3) all others. The Consuls throughout Germany have been instructed to prepare similar lists covering their respective districts.

It is reported to-night that 700 French prisoners have been taken by the Germans near the Alsatian frontier. The papers are also full of reports of Belgian cruelties to German non-combatants in Belgium.

August 12. The press reports a great battle near Mülhausen in which the Germans were victorious and took 1,500 prisoners, but no details.

With the exception of the calling out of the entire Landsturm on August 15, no important events occurred or were reported in Berlin during the period August 12 to 18.

The Embassy has already sent one special train to Holland with nearly 300 Americans, another will follow to-morrow with 400, another on the following day, and still another next week. Special trains have also been arranged by the Embassy for Americans in Munich and Carlsbad, via Bodenbach, and in Switzerland, via Lindau, straight to Rotterdam, whence many have engaged passages to the United States. In view of the great pressure of travel and the limited sailings of the Holland-America Line, however, there will necessarily be several thousand American citizens desiring repatriation by such transports as may ultimately be sent from the United States. All communications on this subject are being cabled by the Embassy to the Department.

Up to the present, British subjects, whose protection and interests are in the Embassy's charge, have not been permitted to leave Germany, but I am endeavoring to have this order rescinded and have made urgent representations to the Foreign Office, to the effect that while no possible good can be accomplished by the retention of British subjects in this country against their will, much inconvenience can be avoided by releasing them and much benefit brought to German subjects similarly held in England through reciprocal kindly treatment. I believe that my representations will be successful within a few days.

The Relief Department of the Embassy, which has been accomplishing splendid work since the outbreak of the war under the supervision of Mrs. Gerard, assisted by Mrs. Ruddock, Mrs. Gherardi and other ladies, has dealt with and relieved a very large number of cases of destitution and has forwarded funds for the same purpose to many of the Consulates throughout Germany. A large

proportion of the money thus expended has been contributed by Mr. and Mrs. Ruddock themselves. As I have succeeded in inducing the Dresdener Bank, the Commerz and Disconto Gesellschaft and the Deutsche Bank to cash American letters of credit and checks up to a reasonable amount, many persons, who otherwise would have found themselves in need of funds, have obtained sufficient money to tide over their immediate wants.

Before closing this report, it is my pleasant duty to record the conscientious, tireless and most efficient service which has been rendered to the Embassy, and to American citizens who have sought the Embassy's assistance, by the five gentlemen who are serving as my private secretaries, three of whom I appointed in view of the unusual conditions now obtaining and who volunteered at the commencement of the crisis: Mr. L. Lanier Winslow and Mr. H. Rivington Pyne of New York, and Mr. Boylston Beal, Mr. Charles H. Russell, Jr., and Mr. Grafton Minot of Boston. Mr. Beal, who organized and superintended the British department, charged with the issuance of passports and the rendering of assistance to British subjects, is unfortunately obliged to leave us and I am entrusting to his care the pouch which will bring this despatch. His work deserves the highest commendation. The other four gentlemen are remaining indefinitely. Besides these private secretaries, I have accepted the voluntary services of a large corps of American men and women travelers who found themselves in Berlin at the outbreak of the war and being temporarily without occupation offered most patriotically to assist the Embassy in coping with the unusual conditions which immediately arose. Several have acted as stenographers and others have undertaken the card cataloguing of the American and British registers, passports issued, applications for transportation, etc. Without their assistance the business of the Embassy could not have been carried on in an efficient manner. shall later send their names to the Department.

I have [etc.]

File No. 763.72/816

JAMES W. GERARD

The Belgian Minister (Havenith) to the Secretary of State

No. 953]

[Translation]

BELGIAN LEGATION, Washington, September 5, 1914. [Received September 8.]

I

MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: By my letter dated August 28 last,1 I had the honor to communicate to your excellency the text of the note that had been handed to the Belgian Government by the Minister of Germany at Brussels and the reply made by the King's Government to that ultimatum.

On August 9 the Imperial Government through the Legation of the United States at The Hague and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands forwarded to the King's Government a note that may be summed up as follows:

Germany is not coming as Belgium's foe. Force of circumstances alone compelled her, on account of the military measures of France, to come to 'Not printed.

2432-28 -7

the grave determination of entering Belgium and occupying Liége as a supporting point for her subsequent military operations. Now that the Belgian Army has saved in an extremely brilliant manner the honor of its arms by the heroic resistance opposed to much superior forces, the German Government offers to the King's Government to spare Belgium the horrors of war. The German Government is ready to sign with Belgium any agreement that may be consistent with the contest it is carrying on with France. Germany renews the assurance that she has no intention to appropriate Belgian territory and that she is ready to evacuate it as soon as war conditions will permit.

The King's Government returned the following answer to that note:

The proposition made to us by the German Government reproduces that which was formulated in the ultimatum of August 2. True to her international duties, Belgium can but reiterate her answer to that ultimatum, all the more as since August 3 her neutrality has been violated, grievous war has been waged on her territory, and the guarantors of her neutrality have loyally and immediately responded to her appeal.

The foregoing reply has received the approval of the guaranteeing powers appealed to by Belgium. Be pleased [etc.]

E. HAVENITH

NEW SUGGESTION OF GOOD OFFICES AND MEDIATION (SEPTEMBER 7-8)-DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEAR EAST

File No. 763.72119/20a

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Gerard)

[Telegram]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, September 7, 1914, 2 p. m.

The President desires me to communicate the following: At a dinner Saturday night Hon. Oscar Straus asked Count Bernstorff if he thought the German Emperor would favorably consider an offer of mediation if extended by the President. Count Bernstorff replied that, while he had had no communication on the subject from his Government since he left Berlin, he believed from what the Chancellor said to him when he was returning to the United States that the Emperor would accept mediation if the other interested nations would. I have just received from Count Bernstorff confirmation of this dinner conversation. He cannot, of course, say whether the Emperor would agree to an armistice during mediation but he is willing that we should report to the German Government through you the conversation between him and Mr. Straus and ask the views of the Emperor. You will, therefore, please deliver a paraphrase of this despatch to the Emperor at once and say to him that upon receipt of a favorable reply the President will make similar inquiry of the other governments and that he will be much gratified if he can be the means of bringing the parties into conference with a view to the adjustment by them of their differences.

BRYAN

File No. 763.72119/20

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

[Telegram]

AMERICAN EMBASSY,

London, September 7, 1914, 7 p. m.
[Received 10.50 p. m.]

621. The agreement between the Allies published to-day that no one will consent to end hostilities till all three consent is England's declaration to the Kaiser that no peace proposals will be entertained till one side or the other is completely exhausted. The English are preparing for a long war. They mean to fight till promilitarism is utterly crushed.

AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

File No. 763.72119/20b

The Secretary of State to the Ambassadors in Great Britain (Page) and France (Herrick)

[Telegram]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 8, 1914, 4 p. m. Oscar Straus at a dinner given by Speyer of New York, met the German Ambassador. During conversation Straus asked the Ambassador whether he thought Germany would accept mediation at this time. The Ambassador answered that while he had received no communication from his government on the subject since leaving Berlin, a conversation he had with the Chancellor just before leaving led him to believe that the Kaiser would accept mediation if the other nations also expressed willingness. I sent for the Ambassador and he confirmed the conversation and replying to my question said he was willing to have the conversation reported to the German Government and the Emperor's views asked. I sent a cable yesterday at the President's direction to Berlin reporting the conversation and asking for the views of the Emperor, saying that if he responded favorably a similar inquiry would be addressed to the other governments. The British and French Ambassadors have been informed of the substance of our inquiry and Straus has spoken to both of them about his interview with Bernstorff. We do not know, of course, what reply the German Emperor will make but this war is. so horrible from every aspect that no one can afford to take the responsibility for continuing it a single hour. The British and French Ambassadors fear that Germany will not accept any reasonable terms but even a failure to agree will not rob an attempt at mediation of all its advantages because the different nations would be able to explain their attitude, the reasons for continuing the war, the end to be hoped for and the terms upon which peace is possible. This would locate responsibility for the continuation of the war and help to mold public opinion. Will notify you as soon as answer is received from Bernstorff.

BRYAN

File No. 840.48/532

The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

AMERICAN EMBASSY,

Paris, September 8, 1914. [Received September 9, 2 a. m.]

53. Received this evening following from Gerard:

Extremely urgent.. September 8. German General Staff recommend that Americans leave Paris via Rouen, Le Havre. They will have to leave soon if they wish to.

To which I have replied:

I appreciate your telegram number 22. This Embassy has for some time past been advising Americans to leave Paris and many have already departed. As, however, I represent many important interests here I deem it imperative to remain together with my staff. Under all circumstances I feel satisfied that should German forces enter Paris, necessary measures will be taken to protect not only American property but other property entrusted to my care. Please communicate above to German Government.

Am taking immediate steps to urge Americans to leave Paris.

HERRICK

File No. 763.72119/22

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

[Telegram]

AMERICAN EMBASSY,

London, September 10, 1914, 4 a. m.
[Received 6.55 a. m.]

I have

636. Referring to your telegram of September 8, 4 p. m. on my own account had an informal conference with Sir E. Grey about possible mediation. He reminded me that he exhausted every honorable means to keep peace and that every government involved showed a disposition to meet some of his proposals except Germany. She had deliberately planned and prepared for a war. Still he is willing to come to any honorable arrangement for peace now or at any time but everything will depend on the terms. The war has already revealed two great facts, first, that all Europe has been living on the brink of a precipice and, second, that Germany has done a grievous and irreparable wrong to Belgium. No peace can be concluded that will permit the continuance of or the recurrence of an armed brute power in central Europe which violates treaties to make war and in making war assaults the continuity of civilization. Any terms that England will agree to must provide for an end of militarism forever and for reparation to ruined Belgium.

The foregoing was Grey's wholly private talk to me not to be quoted to anybody nor made public. It was personal and must be regarded as inviolably secret.

The following is the practically universal view held here. They regard the German Emperor and the system of government that he stands for as they regarded Napoleon, a world pest and an enemy of civilization, and that there can be no permanent peace till he and his system are utterly overthrown.

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