, but No. 1 are deadly.

In any case, then, my days are numbered. Heaven be thanked, relief
is not far off. If only I could now settle things with Russia
quickly, and thus perhaps secure the possibility of a peace all
round. All reports from Russia seem to point to the fact that the
Government there is determined on peace, and peace as speedily as
possible. But the Germans are now full of confidence. If they can
throw their massed forces against the West, they have no doubt of
being able to break through, take Paris and Calais, and directly
threaten England. Such a success, however, could only lead to
peace if Germany could be persuaded to renounce all plans of
conquest. I at any rate cannot believe that the Entente, after
losing Paris and Calais, would refuse to treat for peace as _inter
pares_--it would at least be necessary to make every endeavour in
that direction. Up to now Hindenburg has done all that he
promised, so much we must admit, and the whole of Germany believes
in his forthcoming success in the West--always taking for granted,
of course, the freeing of the Eastern front; that is to say, peace
with Russia. The Russian peace, then, _may_ prove the first step
on the way to the peace of the world.

I have during the last few days received reliable information
about the Bolsheviks. Their leaders are almost all of them Jews,
with altogether fantastic ideas, and I do not envy the country
that is governed by them. From our point of view, however, the
most interesting thing about them is that they are anxious to make
peace, and in this respect they do not seem likely to change, for
they cannot carry on the war.

In the Ministry here, three groups are represented: one declines
to take Lenin seriously, regarding him as an ephemeral personage,
the second does not take this view at all, but is nevertheless
unwilling to treat with a revolutionary of this sort, and the
third consists, as far as I am aware, of myself alone, and I
_will_ treat with him, despite the possibly ephemeral character of
his position and the certainty of revolution. The briefer Lenin's
period of power the more need to act speedily, for no subsequent
Russian Government will recommence the war--and I cannot take a
Russian Metternich as my partner when there is none to be had.

The Germans are hesitating--they do not altogether like the idea
of having any dealings with