"I told Kuehlmann and Hoffmann I would go as far as possible with them; but should their endeavours fail, then I would enter into separate negotiations with the Russians, since Berlin and Petersburg were really both opposed to an uninfluenced vote. Austria-Hungary, on the other hand, desired nothing but final peace. Kuehlmann understands my position, and says he himself would rather _go_ than let it fail. Asked me to give him my point of view in writing, as it 'would strengthen his position.' Have done so. He has telegraphed it to the Kaiser. "_Evening._--Kuehlmann believes matters will be settled--or broken off altogether--by to-morrow. "_December 28, 1917._--General feeling, dull. Fresh outbursts of violence from Kreuznach. But at noon a wire from Bussche: Hertling had spoken with the Kaiser, who is perfectly satisfied. Kuehlmann said to me: 'The Kaiser is the only sensible man in the whole of Germany.' "We have at last agreed about the form of the committee; that is, a committee _ad hoc_ is to be formed in Brest, to work out a plan for the evacuation and voting in detail. _Tant bien que mal_, a provisional expedient. All home to report; next sitting to be held January 5, 1918. "Russians again somewhat more cheerful. "This evening at dinner I rose to express thanks on the part of the Russians and the four Allies to Prince Leopold. He answered at once, and very neatly, but told me immediately afterwards that I had taken him by surprise. As a matter of fact, I had been taken by surprise myself; no notice had been given; it was only during the dinner itself that the Germans asked me to speak. "Left at 10 P.M. for Vienna. "From the 29th to the morning of the 3rd I was in Vienna. Two long audiences with the Emperor gave me the opportunity of telling him what had passed at Brest. He fully approves, of course, the point of view that peace must be made, if at all possible. "I have dispatched a trustworthy agent to the outer provinces in order to ascertain the exact state of feeling there. He reports that _all_ are against the Bolsheviks except the Bolsheviks themselves. The entire body of citizens, peasants--in a word, everyone with any possessions at all--trembles at the thought of these red robbers, and wishes to go over to Germany. The terrorism of Lenin is said to be indescribable, and in Petersburg all are absolutely _longing_ for the entry of the German troops to deliver them. "_January 3, 1918._--Return to Brest. "On the way, at 6 P.M., I received, at a station, the following telegram, in code, from Baron Gautsch, who had remained at Brest: