Paraphrase of Telegram from Mr. Balfour to Mr. Barclay
Title
Paraphrase of Telegram from Mr. Balfour to Mr. Barclay
Creator
United States. Department of State
Identifier
WWP25258
Date
1918 October 13
Description
Germans do not want to give up Poland or Alsace-Lorraine.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--Armistices
World War, 1914-1918--France--Alsace
Balfour, Arthur James, 1848-1930
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25257
WWP25259
WWP25260
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
PARAPHRASE OF TELEGRAM FROM MR. BALFOUR TO MR. BARCLAY.
___________________________________________________________
Information has just reached us from a source which we consider to be absolutely reliable to the effect that as recently as the 9th instant the Germans, though contemplating the acceptance of the terms laid down by the President, were firmly decided not to give up all of the Polish areas nor the whole of Alsace-Lorraine. From this it must be inferred that the Germans are hoping to be able, after accepting the terms, to dispute in the Peace Conference with regard to the meaning even of these conditions, the statement of which appears to be most explicit.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON,
October 14, 1918.
[Handwritten note in upper right corner reads: “Handed me by British Charge Oct. 14/18 RL”; handwritten note in left margin reads: “Very secret”]
___________________________________________________________
Information has just reached us from a source which we consider to be absolutely reliable to the effect that as recently as the 9th instant the Germans, though contemplating the acceptance of the terms laid down by the President, were firmly decided not to give up all of the Polish areas nor the whole of Alsace-Lorraine. From this it must be inferred that the Germans are hoping to be able, after accepting the terms, to dispute in the Peace Conference with regard to the meaning even of these conditions, the statement of which appears to be most explicit.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON,
October 14, 1918.
[Handwritten note in upper right corner reads: “Handed me by British Charge Oct. 14/18 RL”; handwritten note in left margin reads: “Very secret”]
Original Format
Note
Files
Collection
Citation
United States. Department of State, “Paraphrase of Telegram from Mr. Balfour to Mr. Barclay,” 1918 October 13, WWP25258, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.