of what British interests had done
or were doing, that he wished time to think the matter out and that he
was glad to await the President's communication. He thanked me cordially
for my frank statements and declared that he understood perfectly their
personal nature. I impressed him with the seriousness of American public
opinion.

* * * * *

The last thing that the British Government desired at this time was a
serious misunderstanding with the United States, on Mexico or any other
matter. Yet the Mexican situation, in early November, 1913, clearly
demanded a complete cleaning up. The occasion soon presented itself. Sir
William Tyrrell, the private secretary of Sir Edward Grey sailed, in
late October, for the United States. The purpose of his visit was not
diplomatic, but Page evidently believed that his presence in the United
States offered too good an opportunity to be lost.

To Edward M. House

Newton Hall, Newton, Cambridge.

Sunday, October 26, 1913.

DEAR HOUSE:

Sir William Tyrrell, the secretary of Sir Edward Grey--himself, I
think, an M.P.--has gone to the United States to visit his friend,
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. He sailed yesterday, going first to Dublin,
N.H., thence with the Ambassador to Washington. He has never before
been to the United States, and he went off in high glee, alone, to
see it. He's a good fellow, a thoroughly good fellow, and he's an
important man. He of course has Sir Edward's complete confidence,
but he's also a man on his own account. I have come to reckon it
worth while to get ideas that I want driven home into his head.
It's a good head and a good place to put good ideas.

The Lord knows you have far too much to do; but in this juncture I
should count it worth your while to pay him some attention. I want
him to get the President's ideas about Mexico, good and firm and
hard. They are so far from altruistic in their politics here that
it would be a good piece of work to get our ideas and aims into
this man's head. His going gives you and the President and
everybody a capital chance to help me keep our good
American-English understanding.

Whatever happen in Mexico, I'm afraid there will be a disturbance
of the very friendly feeling between the American people and the
English. I am delivering a series of well-thought-out disc