File No. 763.72119/907
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24, 12.10 a.m.]
7502. For Harrison from Bell1:
Anderson returned from Holland last night and sends you the following:
4. On October 15 I met a member of the Austrian Legation at The Hague. He refused to talk with me until assured that I was not connected with our Legation or in diplomatic service. He made me promise not to mention to anyone in our Legation what he said. I wanted you to know my authority for what follows so came to England to cable. He said Emperor Charles supports movement in Germany for new people’s party to elect by majority vote representatives and executive who will govern but the present dynasty must remain on the throne. He said supports but I think he meant approves. He said for himself that new party will have most of the people of the Central powers behind them but while desiring peace with disarmament and arbitration they would unite with the war party instead of opposing them and fight to the end if the Entente adhere to determination crush Germany and enforce economic retaliation after the war. He believes that peace with the victory President Wilson wants is possible but with the demands of England and France never. He regrets it is impossible for his country to have any direct intercourse with the United States Government since there is so much that is false that is believed to be true on both sides. My meeting with Count Apponyi is delayed by Cabinet crisis but may be arranged within ten days. I return to Holland by next convoy.
- Edward Bell, Secretary of the Embassy.↩