However, in formulating the answer sent on December 25, 1916, to the Russian peace proposals a compromise was, after persistent efforts on our part, ultimately arrived at which at least prevented the full adoption of the divergent German point of view on these two points.

In the matter of evacuation the Germans agreed that the withdrawal of certain bodies of troops before the general peace might be discussed.
In the matter of annexations a satisfactory manner of formulating this was found, making it applicable only in the event of general peace.
Had the Entente then been disposed to make peace the principle of "no annexations" would have succeeded throughout.
Even allowing for the conciliatory form given through our endeavours to this answer by the four Powers to the Russian proposals, the German Headquarters evinced extreme indignation.

Several highly outspoken telegrams from the German Supreme Command to the German delegates prove this.

The head of the German Delegation came near to being recalled on this account, and if this had been done it is likely that German foreign policy would have been placed in the hands of a firm adherent of the sternest military views.

As this, however, could only have had an unfavourable effect on the further progress of the negotiations, we were obliged to do all in our power to retain Herr Kuehlmann.