ace, that they
are for peace now, and that they are willing to enter into a
compact which would insure peace for all time; that they have been
misrepresented and maligned and that they leave the entire
responsibility for the continuation of the war with the Allies.

If they should do this, it would create a profound impression, and
if it was not met with sympathy by the Allies, the neutral
sentiment, which is now almost wholly against the Germans, would
veer toward them.

Will you not convey this thought to Sir Edward and let me know what
he says?

The President is willing and anxious for me to go to England and
Germany as soon as there is anything tangible to go on, and
whenever my presence will be welcome. The Germans have already
indicated this feeling but I have not been able to get from Spring
Rice any expression from his Government.

As I told you before, the President does not wish to offend the
sensibilities of any one by premature action, but he is, of course,
enormously interested in initiating at least tentative
conversations.

Will you not advise me in regard to this?

Faithfully yours,
E.M. HOUSE.

_From Edward M. House_
115 East 53rd Street,
New York City.
January 18, 1915.

DEAR PAGE:

The President has sent me a copy of your confidential dispatch No.
1474, January 15th.

The reason you had no information in regard to what General French
mentioned was because no one knew of it outside of the President
and myself and there was no safe way to inform you.

As a matter of fact, there has been no direct proposal made by
anybody. I have had repeated informal talks with the different
ambassadors and I have had direct communication with Zimmermann,
which has led the President and me to believe that peace
conversations may be now initiated in an unofficial way.

This is the purpose of my going over on the _Lusitania_, January
30th. When I reach London I will be guided by circumstances as to
whether I shall go next to France or Germany.

The President and I find that we are going around in a circle in
dealing with the representatives in Washington, and he thinks it
advisable and necessary to reach the principals direct. When I
explain just what is in the President's mind, I belie