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

340 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

But as long as you kindly offer your services in a most un-o
selfish way, agreeing to act upon any suggestion that I convey to you, so it seems to me worth while trying to see where
the land lies in the other camp.
Needless to say, your communications will always be welcome and considered confidential....
Sincerely yours
ZIMMERMANN
Bernstorff insisted that if House would come to Germany,
he would find the Berlin Government entirely reasonable.
The two had lunch together in Washington in mid-December.
'December 17, 1914: We took up the question of European
peace proposals [recorded House]. I informed him of the
President's decision to leave the matter to me; that is, as to
the proper time and as to the question of procedure. He said
there would be no objections from his Government; that it
would not be necessary to go to Germany first; that if I could
get the Allies to consent to parleys, I would find the Germans
willing. I replied that there was no use taking it up with the
Allies excepting upon a basis of evacuation and indemnity of
Belgium and drastic disarmament which might ensure permanent peace. He thought there would be no obstacle in
that direction.
'I congratulated him upon this position, and thought it
would have a fine effect and would show it was not Germany's fault if peace parleys were not started. I asked him
to confirm this by cabling to his Government. He has maintained that he has no means of communication with his
Government excepting through our State Department; but I
said, " Of course I know that you can communicate with your
Government when you desire, for any intelligent man can see
that it would be impossible, under modern conditions, to
prevent this." He then admitted that he could reach them.