THE WORLD WAR: PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY 751



assemble; but in any event to be recognized and have a seat in that
conference. I have given you the information which has come to
me, not because I do not appreciate the futility of the curiously an-
tiquated sort of intriguing diplomacy which it exemplifies, but be-
cause I think it shows very clearly that the Vatican is working with
all its power for Austria. The contention set forth in the memoran-
dum which came to me and which I telegraphed you is undoubtedly
true; the handing over to Russia of all the provinces therein listed
with the cession of Constantinople and the Dardanelles will un-
doubtedly give her tremendous, if not overwhelming, power in
Europe and make her very strong in the Orient. The whole tone
of this memorandum, however, is against England and, incidentally,
her allies, who accede to this programme. It was said, indeed, in
the memorandum that England does not dare to present the true
program which she has in mind to Europe and therefore has vio-
lently protested against the cruelty of the Turks against the
Armenians, et cetera.
  The gentleman told me that the Vatican keeps, he believes, ab-
solutely informed of every move that is made in the whole field of
present diplomacy and he believes that the Vatican knows just what
terms Germany and Austria would be willing to make peace on. I
am sure that the Vatican used certain influences during the last
electoral campaign in America, on account of the President's atti-
tude with regard to Mexico, to withdraw from the President the
support of representatives of the church in America.
  The newspapers here are filled all the time with stories of the
troubled conditions existing in Germany and Austria. Thoughtful
men, however, who are not swayed by prejudice think that Germany
can hardly be starved out, but the very general impression is that
Austria is in a very bad way indeed. I myself, remembering the days
of my childhood in the South, am skeptical as to the people's being
forced to yield because of the scarcity of even the necessaries of life.
  I have written the foregoing to you, not only for yourself, but
thinking this the most confidential way to have it reach the President.
  Believe me [etc.]                        THos. NELSON PAGE

763.72/3171i
       The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to President Wilson

                                        Romm, January 22, 1917.
  My DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have written a letter to the Secretary
Mr. Lansing by this pouch which it may interest you to see and I
will not repeat anything that I have said in that letter.
  The unknown quantity in the present problem, here at least, seems
to be Russia. No one here appears to know just what is going on