Just at this time, however, Mr. Tower gave a farewell dinner to the Emperor, and invited to it specially from Rome the American Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Griscom.  Mr. Griscom was accompanied by his clever and attractive wife.  The dinner-party assembled, and Mr. Griscom and his wife were placed in the immediate neighbourhood of the Emperor.  Before dinner was over it was evident that the Griscoms had made a most favourable impression on the imperial guest.  Accordingly, so the story goes, when towards the end of dinner the Emperor, in his impulsive way, exclaimed, “Now, why didn’t America send me the Griscoms instead of the Hills?” or words to that effect, the company was not completely taken by surprise.  When, however, the Emperor went on to suggest to his host to telegraph to President Roosevelt to make the change, it became evident that an international incident of exceptional delicacy had been created.  Mr. Tower, who would perhaps have acted with better judgment had he declined to adopt the Emperor’s suggestion, cabled to President Roosevelt, and at the same Mr. Griscom wrote to him privately.  Before Mr. Griscom’s letter arrived, perhaps before Mr. Roosevelt was in possession of Mr. Tower’s telegram, the words of the Emperor had become known in Berlin, were cabled to the American Press, and much indignation at the Emperor’s conduct was aroused in all parts of America.  The two Governments, as well as Dr. Hill, were placed in a position of great embarrassment.  In view of the state of public opinion in America, and in view also of the American Government’s engagement vis a vis Dr. Hill, the Washington authorities could not withdraw a nominee who had been already signalled to it from Germany as persona grata.  The only way possible out of the difficulty was to employ the machinery of the official dementi, and this was accordingly done.  It was denied by the Foreign Office that the Emperor had expressed dissatisfaction with Dr. Hill’s appointment, and the incident closed with the carrying out of the original arrangements and the arrival of Dr. Hill in Berlin.  Subsequent events proved that had the Emperor known Dr. Hill personally he would never have thought of expressing dissatisfaction at the prospect of seeing him as Ambassador at his Court, for Dr. Hill, during the two years of his stay, fully vindicated the wisdom of the Washington Government’s choice, and before he left his post had earned the Emperor’s complete respect, if not his cordial friendship.

XV.

AFTER THE STORM

1909-1913