Possibly because the British Government had notified him, through Page, that his proffer of mediation would be unacceptable, Mr.Wilson moved cautiously and slowly, and Germany became impatient.

The successful campaign against Rumania, resulting in the capture of Bucharest on December 6th, and the new vista which it opened to Germany of large food supplies, strengthened the Teutonic purpose.

Perhaps Germany, with her characteristic lack of finesse, imagined that her own open efforts would lend emphasis to Mr.Wilson's pacific exertions.

At any rate, on December 12th, just as Mr.Wilson was preparing to launch his own campaign for mediation, Germany herself approached her enemies with a proposal for a peace conference.

A few days afterward Page, as the representative of Germany, called at the Foreign Office to deliver the large white envelope which contained the Kaiser's "peace proposal." In delivering this to Lord Robert Cecil, who was acting as Foreign Secretary in the temporary absence of Mr.Balfour, Page emphasized the fact that the American Government entirely disassociated itself from its contents and that he was acting merely in his capacity of "German Ambassador." Two communications from Lord Robert to Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British Ambassador at Washington, tell the story and also reveal that it was almost impossible for Page, even when engaged in an official proceeding, to conceal his contempt for the whole enterprise: _Lord R.Cecil to Sir C.Spring Rice_ Foreign Office, December 18, 1916.
SIR: The American Ambassador came to see me this morning and presented to me the German note containing what is called in it the "offer of peace." He explained that he did so on instructions of his Government as representing the German Government, and not in any way as representing their own opinions.