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thing about it. He replied that the other day Tumulty had stated we were be-
ing criticised by the pro-Germans for not taking a firm stand against Great Bri-
tain regarding to these contraband seizures, and that he, the President, had then
told him of this note, but not mentioning its contents, therefore, Tumulty could
not have given it out.
I asked what newspaper man got it and he said, David Lawrence of the As-
sociated Press. That settled it in my mind that Tumulty had given it out, al-
though I did not express this view to the President for he is so averse to be-
lieving anything derogatory to Tumulty, and I did not wish to disturb him.
I tried to explain to Spring-Rice how badly the President felt. He accept-
that part, but blamed the State Department most unreservedly, and said it was
impossible to conduct diplomatic negotiations of a delicate nature through the
newspapers. He claimed that it was not the first time, and that he hesitated
to take up further matters with them, in fact he intended to absent himself from
the Department in future. He had no doubt we would all be pro-Germans within
six months, that the Germans were strong and had a thorough organization, and
they would finally break down any anti-German sentiment which now existed.
I discussed peace overtures with him, although I knew the time was
not opportune for such a subject, but I got nowhere. He began a tirade against
the Germans which included Bernstorff and the German official family generally.
He said <del/> if we would guarantee a permanent settlement, they would begin ne-
gotiations at once, but they would not accept anything Germany might propose. He
talked so many different ways, in almost the same sentence, that I concluded he
was too upset for me to have any profitable discussion with him and I therefore
took my leave. He saw by my silence that I was not pleased with his conversa-
tion.
As a matter of fact, if I could properly get at Sir Edward Grey's ear I
would advise him to replace Spring-Rice with a man of more robust health and
| Title | ms_0466_s2_v2_274 |
| Transcript |
thing about it. He replied that the other day Tumulty had stated we were be-
ing criticised by the pro-Germans for not taking a firm stand against Great Bri-
tain regarding to these contraband seizures, and that he, the President, had then
told him of this note, but not mentioning its contents, therefore, Tumulty could
not have given it out.
I asked what newspaper man got it and he said, David Lawrence of the As-
sociated Press. That settled it in my mind that Tumulty had given it out, al-
though I did not express this view to the President for he is so averse to be-
lieving anything derogatory to Tumulty, and I did not wish to disturb him.
I tried to explain to Spring-Rice how badly the President felt. He accept-
that part, but blamed the State Department most unreservedly, and said it was
impossible to conduct diplomatic negotiations of a delicate nature through the
newspapers. He claimed that it was not the first time, and that he hesitated
to take up further matters with them, in fact he intended to absent himself from
the Department in future. He had no doubt we would all be pro-Germans within
six months, that the Germans were strong and had a thorough organization, and
they would finally break down any anti-German sentiment which now existed.
I discussed peace overtures with him, although I knew the time was
not opportune for such a subject, but I got nowhere. He began a tirade against
the Germans which included Bernstorff and the German official family generally.
He said |
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