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and hopes that benefits which should result from this wise policy may not have long to wait.

I approve this opportunity to reiterate to Your Excellency the assurances of my high esteem and disguished consideration.

NARCISO GARAY.

File No. 763.72119/262.

Memorandum from the Legation of Switzerland.

LEGATION OF SWITZERLAND,

Received December 27, 1916.

TEXT OF NOTE OF SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL, OF DECEMBER 23, 1916, ADDRESSED TO ALL BELLIGERENTS (NOT YET COMMUNICATED TO NEUTRALS).

The President of the United States of America, with whom the Swiss Federal Council, guided by its warm desire that the hostilities may soon come to an end, has, for a considerable time, been in touch, had the kindness to apprise the Federal Council of the peace note sent to the governments of the Central and Entente Powers. In this note President Wilson discusses the great desirability of international agreements for the purpose of avoiding more effectively and permanently the occurrence of catastrophes such as the one under which the peoples are suffering to-day. In this connection he lays particular stress on the necessity for bringing about the end of the present war. Without making peace proposals himself or offering mediation, he confines himself to sounding as to whether mankind may hope to have approached the haven of peace.

The most meritorious personal initiative of President Wilson will find a mighty echo in Switzerland, True to the obligations arising from observing the strictest neutrality, united by the same friendship with the States of both warring groups of Powers, situated like an island amidst the seething waves of the terrible world war, with its ideal and material interests most sensibly jeopardized and violated, our country is filled with a deep longing for peace, and ready to assist by its small means to stop the endless sufferings caused by the war and brought before its eyes by daily contact with the interned, the severely wounded and those expelled, and to establish the foundations for a beneficial cooperation of the peoples.

The Swiss Federal Council is therefore glad to seize the opportunity to support the efforts of the President of the United States. It would consider itself happy if it could act in any, no matter how modest a way, for the rapprochement of the peoples now engaged in the struggle, and for reaching a lasting peace.

File No. 763.72119/285.

No. 156.]

Minister Morris to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

AMERICAN LEGATION, Stockholm, December 29, 1916.

Referring Department's circular twentieth.

Minister Foreign Affairs has given me following note, copies of which he informs me have been sent to Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian Ministers at Berlin, Constantinople, London, Paris, Petrograd, Rome, Vienna, to tender to governments to which they are accredited:

"It is with the greatest interest that the Royal Government has learned of the proposals which the President of the United States has just made with a view to facilitating the measures tending towards a lasting peace. While remaining desirous of avoiding all intrusion which could injure legitimate sentiments the Government of the King would consider itself lacking in its duties towards its own people and towards humanity itself if it did not express the most profound sympathy with all the efforts which could contribute to put an end to the progressive accumulation of sufferings and of losses, moral and material. The Royal Government earnestly hopes that the initiative of President Wilson will terminate in a result worthy of the noble spirit with which he is inspired."

MORRIS.

File No. 763.72119/345.

Memorandum from the Legation of Sweden.

(Received) December 30, 1916. [Translation.]

TEXT OF NOTE DELIVERED BY HIS SWEDISH MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE BELLIG

ERENT NATIONS.

It is with the keenest interest that the Government of the King learned the proposition just made by the President of the United States with a view to facilitating measures tending to the establishment of lasting peace while desiring to avoid any interference that might hurt legitimate feelings. The Government of the King would consider itself remiss in its duty to its own people and the whole of mankind if it should fail to express its most profound sympathy with every effort that might contribute to bringing to an end the progressive accumulation of suffering and moral and physical losses. It indulges the hope that the initiative of President Wilson will end in a result worthy of the lofty spirit by which he was inspired.

File No. 763.72119/442.

No. 529.]

Chargé Wilson to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN EMBASSY, Madrid, December 30, 1916. SIR: Referring to the Embassy's telegram No. 3081 of December 30, 1916, I have the honor to enclose herewith copies of the Spanish note, accompanied by translation of same, in reply to the circular note of the President to the belligerent and neutral powers, suggesting that all nations now at war should declare their respective views upon what terms the present war might be ended. I have, etc.,

CHARLES S. WILSON.

[Inclosure-Translation.]

MADRID, December 28, 1916.

MINISTRY OF STATE

No. 118.

SIR: The Government of His Majesty has received through the Embassy under your worthy charge a copy of a note which the President of the United States has sent to the Belligerent Powers expressing the desire "that an early occasion be sought to call out from all the nations now at war a declaration of their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be terminated." Accompanying this Note was another Note from you, dated December 22d, 1916, in which the Embassy, in accordance with later instructions from its Government, stated in the name of the President that the moment appeared opportune for the cooperation of the Government of His Majesty and that it should support, if it seemed proper, the attitude adopted by the United States Government.

In view of the praiseworthy desire which the American Government manifests of being seconded in its proposal in favor of peace, the Government of His Majesty believes that, on account of the initiative taken by the President of the United States, and as the diverse opinions which it has produced are already known, the action which Spain is now invited to take by the United States would not be effective, and so much the more because the Central Powers have already expressed their firm intention to discuss conditions of peace with the belligerent powers only.

The Government of His Majesty, appreciating that the noble desire of the President of the United States will always deserve the gratitude of all nations, has resolved not to hinder any negotiation or agreement whatsoever undertaken for the purpose of encouraging the humanitarian work which might end the present war, but will suspend its action, reserving it for such time as those forces which desire peace may be more useful and effective than now, if there should then be reasons for believing its initiative or intervention opportune.

▲ Not printed.

Until this time arrives the Government of His Majesty believes it proper to declare that in everything having reference to an understanding between the neutral powers for the defense of their material interests injured by the war, it is disposed now, as it has been since the beginning of the present strife, to enter into negotiations. looking towards an understanaing capable of uniting all the nonbelligerent powers which may consider themselves injured and in need of remedying or lessening their losses.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

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"I have had the honor to receive the letter you were pleased to address to me on the 28th of this month to acquaint me with the step taken by Mr. President Wilson in favor of peace, and I hasten to communicate to following answer of the Bulgarian Government: "The generous initiative of the President of the United States tending to create bases for the restoration of peace, was cordially received and taken into consideration by the Royal Government in the same friendly spirit which is evidenced by the presidential communication. The President indicates the object he has at heart and leaves open the choice of the way leading to that object. The Royal Government considers a direct exchange of views to be the most efficacious way to attain the desired end. In accordance with its declaration of the 12th of December inst., which extends a hand for peace negotiations, it has the honor to propose an immediate meeting at one place of delegates of the belligerent powers. The Royal Government shares the view that the great undertaking which consists in preventing future war can only be initiated after the close of present conflict of nations. When that time comes, the Royal Government will be glad to cooperate with the United States of America and other neutral nations in that sublime endeavor.

"Be pleased to accept, Mr. Consul General, the assurances of my high consideration.

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'(Signed.) DOCTOR RADOSLAVOFF."

MURPHY.

File No. 763.72119/401.

No. 858.]

Chargé Benson to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN EMBASSY,

Rio de Janeiro, January 8, 1917. SIR: Further to my telegram of to-day, January 8th, 1:00 p. m., I have the honor to inform the Department that I have this day received a note, dated January 6, 1917, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, of which the following is a translation:

"I am in possession of note No. 332, received at this Ministry on December 26th, dated December 22nd last, in which in pursuance of instructions received, you transcribe a note which the Government of the United States of America addressed to each one of the Powers now at war, relative to the desirability of the reestablishment of peace.

"I did not fail to bring the text of the said note to the high attention of the President of the Republic, and I am authorized to say that the Government of Brazil, a hearty advocate of international peace and concord, is not indifferent to steps looking toward the reestablishment and stability of such peace and concord. These pacific sentiments, in which the whole Brazilian nation participates, place the Government in the happy situation of being able, without embarrassment to itself, and without lack of consideration toward others, to reserve the right to await the opportunity to cooperate or act in that sense in each instance, which may come under its examination, or which may involve its sovereign rights.

"In these terms, the Brazilian Government has taken cognizance of the said note, and is thankful for the kind communication of its full text.

"I have the honor to renew to you, etc.,"

I have, etc.,

ALEXANDER BENSON.

File No. 763.72119/328.

Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

AMERICAN LEGATION,

Peking, January 9, 1917.

Minister for Foreign Affairs has written as follows in answer to my note transmitting the President's note to the belligerent powers:

"I have examined, with the care which the gravity of the questions raised demands, the note concerning peace which President Wilson has addressed to the Governments of the Allies and the Central Powers now at war and the text of which Your Excellency has been good enough to transmit to me under instructions of your Government.

"China, a nation traditionally pacific, has recently again manifested her sentiments in concluding treaties concerning the pacific settlement of international disputes, responding thus to the (***)1 of the peace conferences held at The Hague.

1 Apparent omission.

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