The Message
Title
The Message
Creator
Hertling, Georg Friedrich, graf von, 1843-1919
Identifier
WWP25043
Date
No date
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
League of Nations
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
World War, 1914-1918--Germany
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWI1020, WWI1020B, WWI1020C, WWI1020D, WWI1020E
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
II
The Message
We are always willing to discuss Peace. We think that the way of confidential negotiations, through confidential agents would be the best way to find out if there is a common base for Peace - better than through public speeches
In our opinion the differences are not so great that they would not allow of a discussion.
We are willing and ready to discuss.
We are willing and ready to discuss every question, except those questions which would touch the integrity of the German Empire.
We get the impression that in the enemy countries, particularly France, England, and Italy, they consider the acceptance of the Four Principles, which President Wilson indicated as a base for Peace negotiations as not sincere, - that is, that we were not willing to put them into practice. As an example, the papers and speeches quoted our attitude towards Russia
We can give the assurance that we dont intend annexations of these formerly Russian territories. They separated themselves from Russia by their own free-will, and are at liberty to establish their own government by vote. Of course if they seek the protection of Germany, we have no reason to refuse this protection. During the duration of the war, we are obliged for self-protection to keep our military forces there.
We have repeatedly also declared that we agree with President Wilson about the principles which intend to guarantee the future of Peace, and prevent the repetition of wars like the present - that is, - the Society of Nations, or General Arbitration or redirection of armaments, - freedom of the seas. How these principles are to be put into practice must be left to detailed negotiations.
We think there is a wrong impression about the influence of the Military Element in Germany. It is imagined that a kind of Military Caste rules Germany and overrules the civil Government.
General conscription makes these Military elements constitute the whole people, and the officers, in great majority are not officers by profession, and the influence of the General Staff of course is decisive in purely military questions. And where there are military and political questions mixed up, the Military have also a word to say, but in all purely political matters they have nothing to say.
So for instance we declared our adherence to the principle of Self-Determination of the People, without even asking the military authorities.
We do not expect to keep Belgium or to touch her Sovereignty.
We are waiting for President Wilson to take the initiative in any further steps.
The Message
We are always willing to discuss Peace. We think that the way of confidential negotiations, through confidential agents would be the best way to find out if there is a common base for Peace - better than through public speeches
In our opinion the differences are not so great that they would not allow of a discussion.
We are willing and ready to discuss.
We are willing and ready to discuss every question, except those questions which would touch the integrity of the German Empire.
We get the impression that in the enemy countries, particularly France, England, and Italy, they consider the acceptance of the Four Principles, which President Wilson indicated as a base for Peace negotiations as not sincere, - that is, that we were not willing to put them into practice. As an example, the papers and speeches quoted our attitude towards Russia
We can give the assurance that we dont intend annexations of these formerly Russian territories. They separated themselves from Russia by their own free-will, and are at liberty to establish their own government by vote. Of course if they seek the protection of Germany, we have no reason to refuse this protection. During the duration of the war, we are obliged for self-protection to keep our military forces there.
We have repeatedly also declared that we agree with President Wilson about the principles which intend to guarantee the future of Peace, and prevent the repetition of wars like the present - that is, - the Society of Nations, or General Arbitration or redirection of armaments, - freedom of the seas. How these principles are to be put into practice must be left to detailed negotiations.
We think there is a wrong impression about the influence of the Military Element in Germany. It is imagined that a kind of Military Caste rules Germany and overrules the civil Government.
General conscription makes these Military elements constitute the whole people, and the officers, in great majority are not officers by profession, and the influence of the General Staff of course is decisive in purely military questions. And where there are military and political questions mixed up, the Military have also a word to say, but in all purely political matters they have nothing to say.
So for instance we declared our adherence to the principle of Self-Determination of the People, without even asking the military authorities.
We do not expect to keep Belgium or to touch her Sovereignty.
We are waiting for President Wilson to take the initiative in any further steps.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Hertling, Georg Friedrich, graf von, 1843-1919, “The Message,” No date, WWP25043, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.