The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

330 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

negotiations is the deep-rooted distrust England has for
German diplomacy and promises. Something of this is also
felt by the Germans towards England.
Another difficulty was expressed by Bernstorff, to the
effect that neither side wished to be placed in the position of
initiating peace proposals. This can be avoided, however, in
some such way as is being done now, for they will soon find
themselves talking about it and will not be so sensitive....
Your faithful and affectionate
E. M. HOUSE
NEW YORK, October 6, 1914
DEAR GOVERNOR:
Dumba came to see me and handed me the enclosed
article, which he has written for publication in the World's
Work for November. He wanted you to see it in advance.
He hardly tried to disguise his eagerness for peace measures
to begin. I told him I did not think the Allies would want to
commence conversations of this sort as long as the German
forces occupied their territory. He replied, 'Perhaps, then,
a German defeat at this time might not be an unmixed evil.'
I told him how anxious you were to be of service, but that
you felt you had gone as far as it was wise to go without
some encouragement.
Affectionately yours
E. M. HOUSE
Whatever the private protestations of Bernstorff and
Dumba, the public announcements of the German and
Austrian Governments were in a directly opposed sense and
did not facilitate the beginning of peace negotiations. Public
opinion in the Central Empires had been encouraged to expect a smashing victory and their official spokesmen continued to promise it. The Allied leaders echoed such sentiments on their side with a shade of increased intensity. The