ity in their war for
conquest, they'd have won it. Nothing on earth can now save them;
for the world isn't big enough to hold them and civilized people.
Nor is there any room for pacifists till this grim business is
done.

Affectionately,
W.H.P.

The last piece of writing from Sandwich is the following memorandum:

Sandwich, Kent.
June 10, 1918.

The Germans continue to gain ground in France--more slowly, but
still they gain. The French and British papers now give space to
plans for the final defense--the desperate defense--of Paris. The
Germans are only forty miles away. Slocum, military attache, thinks
they will get it and he reports the same opinion at the War
Office--because the Germans have taken such a large number of guns
and so much ammunition. Some of these guns were meant for the
American troops, and they cannot now be replaced in time if the
German advance continues. But I do not know enough facts at first
hand to form an opinion. But, if Paris be taken, the war will go on
a long time--unless the English-speaking rulers make a compromise.
And, then, in another form--and forms--it'll go on
indefinitely.--There has been no more perilous or uncertain or
anxious time than now.

The United States too late, too late, too late: what if it should
turn out so?

* * * * *

But it did not turn out so. Even while Page was penning these lines
great events were taking place in France and the American troops were
having a large share in them. In June the Americans stopped the German
troops at Belleau Wood--a battle which proved the mettle of these fresh
levies not only for the benefit of the Germans but of the Allies as
well. Thus Page had the great satisfaction of returning to London while
the city was ringing with the praise of these achievements. He found
that the atmosphere had materially changed since he had last been in the
British capital; when he had left for Sandwich there had been a general
expectation that the Germans would get Paris or the Channel ports; now,
however, there was every confidence of victory. Greatly as Page rejoiced
over the new prospect, however, the fight at Belleau Wood brought him
his last great sorrow. His nephew, Allison M. Page, of Aberdeen, North
Carolina, the son of his youngest brother, Frank, lost his life in that
engagement. A