[Telegram]
PETROGRAD, December 29, 1917, 11 p. m.
[Received December 31, 3 a. m.]
2166. Been expecting communication from Foreign Office inviting participation in peace negotiations, adjourned to January 4, but none received. Shall promptly forward if received. Soviet government professes to think Allies will participate in negotiations but Allies will probably decline. When doing so President or yourself should address a communication to the Russian people explaining the declination in order to prevent Russia's falling into the arms of Germany as ally and thus induce Russian benevolent neutrality and transfer to Central Empires responsibility for continuance of war.
Germans arriving daily and making no effort to conceal their identity.
Peace demonstrations here to-day to celebrate success of negotiations at Brest. Trams discontinued, vehicles prohibited on streets mornings by parade.
FRANCIS