Jean-Jules Jusserand to Woodrow Wilson

I had not failed to cable to my Governt. a summary of our conversation of Wednesday last, and especially of what you said concerning the tempting offers of a free Belgium, Alsace restituted, etc., which the Germans are sure to make, the moment they find their hopes of a solution on the Western front shattered. They will propose all sorts of advantages there, and be silent on Eastern Europe counting on its possibilities to more than recoup themselves. If we were so imprudent as to listen to offers which years of sufferings might cause to appear tempting, we should be lost.

I answered, if you remember, that I felt no doubts; that, in spite of all trials, neither the French Governt nor the French people would yield to any such temptation, for the reason that we do not fight for a gain but for a cause.

My government's answer, just received, is a confirmation, pure and simple, of what I said. Mr. Pichon's cable reads: "I have been most favorably impressed by the passage of your telegram in which you say that, according to the settled views of the President, a peace leaving to Germany a free hand in Russia, would be for us all a real defeat. I have shown your telgr. to Mr. Clemenceau, who joins me in asking you to inform the President that we are in complete accord with him on this point. Tell him, please, that he may entirely depend on our resolution. We, and with us all the French statesmen, would consider that to abandon Russia to Germany would be tantamount to losing the war. Whatever happens, we shall not change. No doubt is possible concerning the state of mind of the French people as to this. We believe moreover that the British Governt entertains similar dispositions.

In the rest of the same telegram due praise is given to the fine conduct of the American troops, resulting in a fraternity of arms, the consequence of which will be both happy and lasting.

I had taken the liberty of stating to you, Mr. President, on the same occasion that though the contemplated action in Siberia must needs be of limited scope, it would, it seems, be advantageous not to state this too clearly, but keep the Germans guessing. They might feel anxious, and anxiety is not a force. I read in to-day's papers an extract from the "Volkszeitung" of Cologne, showing that they begin to be seriously anxious indeed as to Siberia and that, with their congenital incapacity to understand in others a feeling they are unable to experience, namely disinterestedness, they wonder what advantages America may have reserved for herself in the East. It could only do them good, as I think, that they should continue guessing. Believe me, dear Mr. President