g me know what he thinks?

Would the Allies consider parleys upon a basis of indemnity for
Belgium and a cessation of militarism? If so, then something may be
begun with the Dual Alliance.

I have been told that negotiations between Russia and Japan were
carried on several months before they agreed to meet at Portsmouth.
The havoc that is being wrought in human lives and treasure is too
great to permit racial feeling or revenge to enter into the
thoughts of those who govern the nations at war.

I stand ready to go to Germany at any moment in order to sound the
temper of that government, and I would then go to England as I did
last June.

This nation would not look with favour upon a policy that held
nothing but the complete annihilation of the enemy.

Something must be done sometime, by somebody, to initiate a peace
movement, and I can think of no way, at the moment, than the one
suggested.

I will greatly appreciate your writing me fully and freely in
regard to this phase of the situation.

Faithfully yours,
E.M. HOUSE.

To this Page immediately replied:

_To Edward M. House_
December 12th, 1914.

MY DEAR HOUSE:

The English rulers have no feeling of vengeance. I have never seen
the slightest traces of that. But they are determined to secure
future safety. They will not have this experience repeated if they
can help it. They realize now that they have been living under a
sort of fear--or dread--for ten years: they sometimes felt that it
was bound to come some time and then at other times they could
hardly believe it. And they will spend all the men and all the
money they have rather than suffer that fear again or have that
danger. Now, if anybody could fix a basis for the complete
restoration of Belgium, so far as restoration is possible, and for
the elimination of militarism, I am sure the _English_ would talk
on that basis. But there are two difficulties-Russia wouldn't talk
till she has Constantinople, and I haven't found anybody who can
say exactly what you mean by the "elimination of militarism."
Disarmament? England will have her navy to protect her incoming
bread and meat. How, then, can she say to Germany, "You can't have
an army"?

You say the Americans are becoming "restless." The plain fact