I have always counselled him to remain quiet for the moment and let matters unfold themselves further.

In the meantime, I have been conferring with Bernstorff, with Dumba[103], and, of course, Spring Rice.

The President now wants me to keep in touch with the situation, and I do not think there is any danger of any one on the outside injecting himself into it unless Mr.Bryan does something on his own initiative.
Both Bernstorff and Dumba say that their countries are ready for peace talks, but the difficulty is with England.

Sir Cecil says their statements are made merely to place England in a false position.
The attitude, I think, for England to maintain is the one which she so ably put forth to the world.

That is, peace must come only upon condition of disarmament and must be permanent.