763.72/2831½
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: As I have telegraphed you,59 events appear to be moving a bit in this quarter of the world, and I judge from the good spirits of my colleagues the French and Russian Ambassadors whom I see at Fiuggi where we, as well as some of the Ministers are,—a couple of hours run out of Rome,—that they consider the movement both very important and very favorable to them. Italy has just declared war on Germany after having failed to get Germany to declare war on her, and according to the reports here, not only in the [Page 739] newspaper “extras” this morning; but in official circles,—though they do not seem prepared at the Foreign Office to guarantee the fact,—Roumania has also declared war on Austria-Hungary. This act has been expected on her part for some time; but it was not believed that she would take the step until a few days later. However, it seems to be thought that the Allies have come to some sort of an arrangement with Italy and with Roumania also which has brought both of these countries to take the step which the Allies have been pushing them towards so long.
According to rumour, another movement of importance is in the air and apparently imminent: It is said that there is expectation in circles usually well informed that Bulgaria will soon be induced to make a separate peace. If so, I fancy that it will mean that some sort of assurance will have been given to her, guaranteeing to her a considerable part of what she went to war for.
Greece, for the present, seems to be regarded by the Allies as almost a negligible quantity. She has been forced by the Allies to demobilize and since their apprehension that she might attack them in the rear should they move forward against Bulgaria, has been relieved, they appear to pay little attention to her. I understand that it is thought that at the approaching election Venizelos will have a slight majority, though the army and the pro-German element are bitterly hostile to him at present. However, his chances appear to be improving and if he comes into power, Greece may be able to make better terms with the Allies than appear probable at present.
On the whole, the Allies appear to feel that they are in a much more promising situation than they were a short time since.
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I am much interested in the American news; though it is exasperating to find it so stale when it arrives, I read it with avidity. It all depends, it seems to me, on whether you can carry New York by a sufficient majority to bring Connecticut and New Jersey along also.
I have just written the President a long letter containing a suggestion which I hope he may find practical. Mr. Lincoln did it and Mr. Roosevelt did it also in a different way, and I do not see why he himself may not make an appeal in the form of a letter directly to the people, setting forth simply what his Administration has accomplished.
However, you will all know better than I what is necessary to do, and the way to do it.
Believe me [etc.]