As previously noted, House reported to Wilson that the Germans appeared ready
to talk peace and accept an independent Poland. The message Wilson received from the
Provisional Council gave hope that the Central Powers were going to uphold
their promise of Poland’s independence. Bernstorff met with House again a few days
after Wilson’s speech. House reported to Wilson that Bernstorff was anxious for
peace. The Count and House agreed that the final terms will leave the map of Europe
pretty much as it was before the war, with the exception of perhaps a new Poland.
No
mention was made of an independent or even an autonomous Poland. Were the Germans
backing away from the Count’s statement to House of an independent Poland?
Berlin instructed Bernstorff on 29 January 1917 to accept mediation. The German terms included freedom of the seas, which the U.S. desired, but also wanted to keep the upper portion of Alsace, and to have German property loses restituted. Nothing was mentioned of Polish independence, or autonomy. Only a demand for a secure frontier of Germany and Poland against Russia was stated. So the prospects of peace broke down, for the belligerents could not compromise on the German demands. With the internal disruptions Russia encountered in the end of the 1917 winter, it appeared that Germany would be able to retain its 1795 partition holdings, plus those of Russia’s.
©2006 Tim Sheehan