From Edward M. House Embassy of the United States of America, Berlin, Germany, March 20, 1915.

     DEAR PAGE: 

     I arrived yesterday morning and I saw Zimmermann[109] almost
     immediately.  He was very cordial and talked to me frankly and
     sensibly.

I tried to bring about a better feeling toward England, and told him how closely their interests touched at certain points.  I also told him of the broad way in which Sir Edward was looking at the difficult problems that confronted Europe, and I expressed the hope that this view would be reciprocated elsewhere, so that, when the final settlement came, it could be made in a way that would be to the advantage of mankind.

The Chancellor is out of town for a few days and I shall see him when he returns.  I shall also see Ballin, Von Gwinner, and many others.  I had lunch yesterday with Baron von Wimpsch who is a very close friend of the Emperor.

Zimmermann said that it was impossible for them to make any peace overtures, and he gave me to understand that, for the moment, even what England would perhaps consent to now, could not be accepted by Germany, to say nothing of what France had in mind.

I shall hope to establish good relations here and then go somewhere and await further developments.  I even doubt whether more can be done until some decisive military result is obtained by one or other of the belligerents.

     I will write further if there is any change in the situation.  I
     shall probably be here until at least the 27th.

     Faithfully yours,
     E.M.  HOUSE.

From Edward M. House Embassy of the United States of America, Berlin, Germany.  March 26, 1915.

     DEAR PAGE: 

     While I have accomplished here much that is of value, yet I leave
     sadly disappointed that no direct move can be made toward peace.

The Civil Government are ready, and upon terms that would at least make an opening.  There is also a large number in military and naval circles that I believe would be glad to begin parleys, but the trouble is mainly with the people.  It is a very dangerous thing to permit a people to be misled and their minds inflamed either by the press, by speeches, or otherwise.

In my opinion, no government could live here at this time if peace was proposed upon terms that would have any chance of acceptance.  Those in civil authority that I have met are as reasonable and fairminded as their counterparts in England or America, but, for the moment, they are impotent.

     I hear on every side the old story that all Germany wants is a
     permanent guaranty of peace, so that she may proceed upon her
     industrial career undisturbed.

I have talked of the second convention[110], and it has been cordially received, and there is a sentiment here, as well as elsewhere, to make settlement upon lines broad enough to prevent a recurrence of present conditions.

     There is much to tell you verbally, which I prefer not to write.