general subject that had so engaged that of the Ambassador.

_From Edward M. House_
145 East 35th Street,
New York City.

December 13th, 1913.

DEAR PAGE:

In my budget of yesterday I did not tell you of the suggestion
which I made to Sir William Tyrrell when he was here, and which I
also made to the President.

It occurred to me that between us all we might bring about the
naval holiday which Winston Churchill has proposed. My plan is that
I should go to Germany in the spring and see the Kaiser, and try to
win him over to the thought that is uppermost in our mind and that
of the British Government.

Sir William thought there was a good sporting chance of success. He
offered to let me have all the correspondence that had passed
between the British and German governments upon this question so
that I might be thoroughly informed as to the position of them
both. He thought I should go directly to Germany without stopping
in England, and that Gerard should prepare the Kaiser for my
coming, telling him of my relations with the President. He thought
this would be sufficient without any further credentials.

In other words, he would do with the Kaiser what you did with Sir
Edward Grey last summer.

I spoke to the President about the matter and he seemed pleased
with the suggestion; in fact, I might say, he was enthusiastic. He
said, just as Sir William did, that it would be too late for this
year's budget; but he made a suggestion that he get the
Appropriations Committee to incorporate a clause, permitting him to
eliminate certain parts of the battleship budget in the event that
other nations declared for a naval holiday. So this will be done
and will further the plan.

Now I want to get you into the game. If you think it advisable,
take the matter up with Sir William Tyrrell and then with Sir
Edward Grey, or directly with Sir Edward, if you prefer, and give
me the benefit of your advice and conclusions.

Please tell Sir William that I lunched at the Embassy with the
Spring Rices yesterday, and had a satisfactory talk with both Lady
Spring Rice and Sir Cecil.

Faithfully yours,
E.M. HOUSE.

* * * * *

It is apparent from Page's letters that the suggestion now contained in
Colonel