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

448 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

ernment and ours and have no reference to Germany and
will be carried out at once.
I told Grey that I would immediately cable Gerard, asking
Germany to withhold her answer to your note until I could
communicate with him further. I also told him I would suggest to the German authorities, through Gerard, that they
answer the note by making the proposal in question....
I assumed the entire responsibility, so if things go wrong
you and Sir Edward can disclaim any connection with it.
If Germany refuses to consider this proposal, it will place
you in the position of having done everything possible to
avert war between the United States and Germany.
Sir Edward took a copy of the memorandum I made, so
that there might be no misunderstanding between us. Of
course there would be none, anyway, for he remembers well
what he says and never recedes from his word....
It is unfortunate that the Cabinet is to be re-formed, for
I am confident with the present members the plan would go
through, provided Germany makes the proposal. The new
element to go in is less apt to favor the proposal than those
already there. Affectionately yours
E. M. HouSE
Colonel House to Ambassador Gerard
[Telegram via Copenhagen]
LONDON, May 19, 1915... Can you not induce the German Government to answer our note by proposing that if England will permit foodstuffs in the future to go to neutral ports without question,
Germany will discontinue her submarine warfare on merchant vessels and will also discontinue the use of poisonous
gas? Such a proposal from Germany at this time will give
her great advantage, and in my opinion she will make a grave
mistake if she does not seize it.
EDWARD HOUSE