oods to the little neutral states which were
in large measure undoubtedly bound to Germany as we are now eager
to keep them out. Grey, who was and is our best friend, and who was
unwilling to quarrel with us more than he was obliged to, was
thrown out of office and his career ended because the blockade,
owing to his consideration for us, was not tight enough. Our delay
caused his fall.

But most of all, it gave the Germans time (and to some extent
material) to build their present fleet of submarines. They were at
work on them all the while and according to the best opinion here
they continue to build them faster than the British destroy them;
and the submarines are destroying more merchant ships than all the
shipbuilding docks of all the world are now turning out. This is
the most serious aspect of the war--by far the most serious. I am
trying to get our Government to send over hundreds of improvised
destroyers--armed tugs, yachts, etc., etc. Admiral Sims and the
British Admiralty have fears that unless such help come the full
fruits of the war may never be gathered by the Allies--that some
sort of a compromise peace may have to be made.

It is, therefore, true that the year and a half we waited after the
_Lusitania_ will prove to be the most costly year and a half in our
history; and for once at least my old prophecy was quite a good
guess. But that water has flowed over the dam and it is worth
mentioning now only because you challenged me....

That part of Page's letter which refers to his retirement had a curious
history. It was practically a resignation and therefore called for an
immediate reply, but Mr. Wilson did not even acknowledge its receipt.
For two months the Ambassador was left in the dark as to the attitude
of Washington. Finally, in the latter part of January, 1917, Page wrote
urgently to Mr. Lansing, asking him to bring the matter to the
President's attention. On February 5, 1917, Mr. Lansing's reply was
received. "The President," he said, "under extreme pressure of the
present situation, has been unable to consider your communication in
regard to your resignation. He desires me to inform you that he hopes
that, at the present time, you will not press to be relieved from
service; that he realizes that he is asking you to make a personal
sacrifice, but he believes that you will appreciate