Pleasant A. Stovall to Robert Lansing

SAM SPECIAL GREEN.
Pontarlier , (Berne)
Dated Mar. 9, 1918, Rec'd. 11th, 2:34 a.M.
2816, March 9, 11 a.M.

Strictly confidential. George D. Herron reported to Wilson that in conversation between himself and Baron Jong, the latter raised the question of whether it would be desirable Holland should call the bluff of Hertling by sending Germany a note, to the effect that Holland understood that Hertling accepted the four principles of President Wilson, and ask to be informed as to whether Holland was right in the assumption that all territorial questions and all previous separate peace treaties would be reopened and re-discussed on the basis of the four principles above mentioned.Jong asked Herron whether he thought the President would be offended or pleased if Holland took such a step. Herron said that he could not answer such a question. Jong inquired whether President's views could be ascertained and Herron replied that he believed the Legation might submit the matter.Jong was former Minister of Justice in Holland and claims to be in close relation with his Government. On his own responsibility, and without Herron's knowledge, he discussed the matter with the Dutch Minister here, who declined to act believing such a note would be too great a peril for Holland. Jong thereupon telegraphed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Hague through the leader of the majority in Parliament. The Foreign Minister immediately wired back asking for further information. The following note had been suggested by Jong to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and was in the latter's possession when he asked for further information; "The Dutch Government has learned with satisfaction that the German Chancellor declares his readiness to accept the four principles proclaimed by President Wilson, and to be willing to discuss peace on that basis.

The Dutch Government, assuming that also the other belligerents accept these principles, hopes to address itself to the belligerents, suggesting that they enter into a general peace discussion on that basis.

Before doing so, however, the Dutch Government feels obliged to try to make clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is also the conviction of the Central Powers that at those discussions, aiming at a general peace, all problems raised by this war ought to be a matter of consideration, including those concerning which the Central Powers have just concluded separate peace treaties. It seems evident that to bring about a real durable general peace, the last mentioned questions have to be reconsidered by the World Conference where all interests will be represented.

The Dutch Government therefore begs to ask the Governments of the Central Powers to be willing to affirm that this conception of the scope of a possible general conference on the basis of President Wilson's four principles, presumably agreed to by the Central Powers."Jong maintains that the Dutch Government is thoroughly disposed to present this note to Germany providing they know that the President would not be displeased by such action, and Jong even suggests the advisability of the President insisting that the note be given out for publication at the time of its presentation. He also suggested that the Dutch Minister in Washington could be instructed to present the matter to the President.

After an exhaustive conversation between Herron and Wilson, it was decided that the former should inform Jong as follows: One. That he is absolutely without any official position or any official connection with the American Government. Two. That Herron should urge Jong to make it clear to the Dutch Government that Herron is an entirely unofficial person. Three. That the Legation will submit a comprehensive statement of the subject for the President's consideration. Four. That the Dutch Minister at Washington might well be informed by his Government that no initiative was to be expected on the part of the United States, and that he should ask for an interview and submit the entire proposal to the President. Five. That the Dutch Minister should submit for the President's consideration the note which they propose to present to Germany fully prepared. Six. That he should suggest the value of publication of the note coincident with its delivery, and seven, that no assurances of any sort could be given to the Dutch Government as to how the President would receive such a petition. Jong maintains that the past month has seen a decided advance in sentiment toward the Entente in Holland, which has been precipitated by the Russian treaty. I believe that if the Dutch Government accomplishes such action as is premeditated, it will unquestionably have a tremendous effect in strengthening Entente sympathies among the neutrals, and should prove very serviceable in its effect upon the masses in Germany, when the German Government returns, as it doubtless will a negative answer to the proposal to submit all questions for discussion on the basis of the four principles.
S T O V A L L