DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

PEACE OVERTURES OP CENTRAL POWERS. 307
"If in spite of this offer of peace and conciliation the
struggle should continue, the four Allied Powers are
determined to prosecute it to a victorious end and solemnly
decline all responsibility before humanity and
history.
"The Imperial Government has the honor to request
the Government of the United States through the kind
offices of your excellency to be good enough to transmit
the present communication to the British, French, Russian,
Italian, Belgian, and Servian Governments.
"[Signed] HAUL."
ELKUS.
Mle No. 763.72X19/353.
Charge" Warfield to the Secretary of State.
No. 184.] AMERICAN LEGATION,
Sofia, December 15, 1916.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy and
translation of a note verbale handed to me in person by
the Prime Minister at noon on December 12. At his
request I communicated the main point of this note by
a telegram, copy of which is enclosed, stating that the
Prime Minister, while pointing out the strong position of
the Central Powers, proposes to enter into negotiations
for peace.
At the same time Dr. Radoslavoff handed me an identical
note with the request that it be forwarded to London.
Copies have therefore been sent to the London Embassy.
I have, etc.,
WILLIAM WARFIELD.
[Iiiclosure—Translation.]
No. 1568.] MINISTRY OP FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The most formidable war known to history has been
ravaging for two years and a half a great part of the
world. This catastrophe which the bonds of a common
civilization more than a thousand years old are unable
to arrest, strikes humanity's most precious inheritance;
it threatens to entomb in its ruins the moral and material
progress upon which Europe prided herself at the dawn
of the twentieth century.
In this struggle Bulgaria and her allies, Germany,
Austria-Hungary and Turkey, have proved their indestructible
power, by winning notable successes against
adversaries superior in number and materials of war.
Their impregnable lines withstand the unceasing attacks
of the armies of their enemies. The recent diversion in
the Balkans have been rapidly and victoriously thwarted.
The recent events have shown that the continuation of
the war will not break their power of resistance. The
general situation rather gives them reason to hope for
new successes.
The four Allied Powers were compelled to arm to
defend their existence and the liberty of their national
development. The deeds of their armies have varied in