Pleasant A. Stovall to Robert Lansing

ERRSPECIAL GREEN.

Pontarlier, Berne.

Recd. 16, 7:22 p. m.
Secretary of State,
Washington.
Important. 5199,
October 14, 9 a. m.

Recd. 16, 7:22 p. m.
Secretary of State,
Washington.
Important. 5199,
October 14, 9 a. m.

Confidential.

Professor Herron informs me as follows: Doctor Fritz Seiler, a professor in the Berne medical college, a physician and citizen of high standing and an ardent supporter of Entente cause, related that he had had in his care a German Government official of high position and title who explained that a considerable number of responsible and influential Germans are sincerely desirous of political revolution and establishment of responsible Government and that influential part of Government itself wished for this revolution and would take great risks to accomplish it if they saw slight chance of success. The German official asked Doctor Seiler to convey message to Herron (?) possible transmitted to America adding that he avoided direct intercourse or disclosure of his name to Herron on account of official position, and fact that such conversation might imperil his position and his life. He stated that he and his friends would be encouraged to act if they felt their scheme favorably regarded by American President. They would like to feel that if domestic tumult should temporarily occur in Germany, America would not take advantage to penetrate German territory. Dr. Seiler was reluctant to convey anonymous message but finally decided to accept this duty just as soon as German official was recalled by telegraph to Berlin. Later he called upon the Doctor and presented five written questions to be sent to Herron, stating that special Legation courier would bring him at once the sealed reply. The questions are: One. Will Herron ask President if political revolution resulting in establishment responsible Democratic Government Germany would hasten or better terms of peace.

Two. Must Alsace-Lorraine go back to France? Is any compromise possible? He adds denunciation treaties Brest and Bucaharest furnish no difficulty but the return of Alsace-Lorraine very difficult even for German Democrats.

Three. Must men who hope political revolution face fact of no territorial concessions by Allies as regards Germany's conquered colonies.

Four. Do President and American people expect surrender to Entente of entire German navy?Five. What may Germany expect as to her economic position after war?The Swiss physician's conclusions from conversations and questions were that the official and other persons in power perceive approaching complete ruin of Germany unless they seize control of militarism groups. Before acting, they desire to have America's last terms. Apparently difficulties lie in fact that the reactionary camps in Germany maintains control by spreading idea that despite democratic changes in Germany, Allies are fully determined upon her destruction. The diplomat believes that if he could have the weapon that by reform Germany could procure peace, he could lead people against military groups. The President could take his own method providing the weapon either by public speech or by confidential message.

After reflection, Herron and Swiss physician agreed to state that Herron was not to take up the matter or give an answer as long as German official's name withheld. Swiss physician would add that he gathered following impressions from conversation with Herron. One, that establishment actual democratic responsible government immediately would inevitably affect American attitude to Germany. Such government must be real and one which promised to be permanently and honestly operative and describes "the obvious and absurd imposture that had been attempted by the great general staff through the person of Prince Max." That the impression was from the first that the return of Alsace-Lorraine, so far as America is concerned it is not debatable, nor the resoration of Hungarian Poland including part incorporated in Prussia, nor renunciation treaties of Brest and Bucharest three accepted only and not promises would be the only pledge America likely to accept. First step of democratic and responsible government should be retirement of German armies from all occupied and from the lands forcibly annexed by the last three wars and the partition of Poland.

It would thus be made clear that it is not probable America would enter into conversations with Germans in advance of their entering upon establishment of new German order by their own violition.Doctor Seiler adds: "I think this may be a more direct channel than is usually presented for talking plainly and immediately with Germany, not in the way of peace discussions but in the way of letting her know the American mind about things prerequisite to peace and her admission to the fellowship of decent nations.
-STOVALL.

HPD.