WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1917

250 WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
the fact that an understanding will be very difficult. We cannot,
in fact, sacrifice Serbia, nor above all, Roumania, which only
came into the War at our request. We must in any case act with
the greatest prudence, and I think that, until further notice, confidences
which have been entrusted to us, and which it was our
duty to accept, ought to remain between those persons alone who
have up to the present had knowledge of them.
"Believe me, dear Mr. Lloyd George, etc.,
A. RIBOT."
Prince Sixte arrived in London in the evening of May
22nd, and on the following day he came to see me at Downing
Street, bringing the autograph letter with him.
This second letter from the Emperor Karl was in the
following terms:
"9th May, 1917.
"My dear Sixte,
"I note with satisfaction that France and England share my
views upon what I believe to be the essential basis of a European
peace. At the same time they express their opposition to any
peace in which Italy does not participate. As it happens, Italy
has just proposed to me to make peace with the Monarchy, renouncing
all the inadmissible claims which she has up to this
date advanced for the annexation of the Slavonic States of the
Adriatic. She has limited her claim to that portion of the Tyrol
where the language is Italian. I have for my part postponed the
examination of this matter until I hear from you what answer
France and England will make to my offer of peace. Count
Erdody will tell you my view and that of my Chancellor on the
various points involved.
"The good understanding which the Monarchy has reached
with France and England on a number of essential points will
enable us, we are convinced, to overcome the remaining difficulties
which stand in the way of the conclusion of an honourable
peace.
"I thank you for the help you are at present giving me in this