Answer: The phrase "pressure is being exerted to feel out sentiment toward first settling with the Bolsheviks" suggests that there is an attempt to assess people's opinions or attitudes towards the possibility of settling or reaching an agreement with the Bolsheviks, who were a political group in Russia during the early 20th century.
The use of the term "pressure" implies that there may be some kind of external influence or force that is trying to sway people's opinions in a particular direction. It is possible that this pressure is coming from a government, a political party, or some other group with a stake in the matter.
Overall, the phrase suggests that there is some kind of negotiation or discussion taking place, and that various parties are trying to gauge public opinion in order to make decisions about how to proceed with regard to settling with the Bolsheviks.
Explanation: The phrase "pressure is being exerted to feel out sentiment toward first settling with the Bolsheviks" means that there are efforts to gauge public opinion and attitudes towards the idea of coming to a settlement or agreement with the Bolsheviks, who were the ruling faction in Soviet Russia at that time. This pressure could be coming from various sources, such as governments, military leaders, or other influential actors who want to know whether there is support for a particular course of action.
The context of this phrase suggests that there was a complex political situation in Europe, with various countries and factions vying for power and influence. The reports mentioned in the passage indicate that some German officials were open to making concessions to the Soviet Union, while others were more hostile. The American diplomatic reports mentioned in the passage suggest that there was confusion and uncertainty about what was really happening, and what the best course of action might be.
Overall, the phrase suggests that there was a lot of political maneuvering and uncertainty around the question of how to deal with the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union in general.