Benton's death.

W.H.P.

_From Edward M. House_
145 East 35th Street,
New York City.
April 19th, 1914.

DEAR PAGE:

I have had a long talk with Mr. Laughlin[58]. At first he thought I
would not have more than one chance in a million to do anything
with the Kaiser, but after talking with him further, he concluded
that I would have a fairly good sporting chance. I have about
concluded to take it.

If I can do anything, I can do it in a few days. I was with the
President most of last week. . . .

He spoke of your letters to him and to me as being classics, and
said they were the best letters, as far as he knew, that any one
had ever written. Of course you know how heartily I concur in this.
He said that sometime they should be published.

The President is now crystallizing his mind in regard to the
Federal Reserve Board, and if you are not to remain in London, then
he would probably put Houston on the Board and ask you to take the
Secretaryship of Agriculture.

You have no idea the feeling that is being aroused by the tolls
question. The Hearst papers are screaming at all of us every day.
They have at last honoured me with their abuse. . . .

With love and best wishes, I am,

Faithfully yours,

E.M. HOUSE.

_From Edward M. House_

145 East 35th Street,
New York City.
April 20th, 1914.

Dear Page:

. . . It is our purpose to sail on the _Imperator_, May 16th, and go
directly to Germany. I expect to be there a week or more, but Mrs.
House will reach London by the 1st or 2nd of June. . . .

Our friend[59] in Washington thinks it is worth while for me to go
to Germany, and that determines the matter. The press is shrieking
to-day over the Mexican situation, but I hope they will be
disappointed. It is not the intention to do anything further for
the moment than to blockade the ports, and unless some overt act is
made from the North, our troops will not cross the border.

Your friend always,
E.M. HOUSE.

_To Edward M. House_
London, April 27, 1914.

MY DEAR HOUSE:

Of course you decided wisely to carry out your original Berlin
plan, and you ought never to have had a moment's hesitation, if you
did have any hesitation. I do not expect you to produce any vi