Sir Edward turned toward their visitor.

“Mr. Coulson,” he said, “we are asked by your friend, in a few plain words, what the attitude of Great Britain would be in the event of a war between Japan and America.  My answer—­our answer—­to you is this,—­no war between Japan and America is likely to take place unless your Cabinet should go to unreasonable and uncalled-for extremes.  We have ascertained, beyond any measure of doubt, the sincere feeling of our ally in this matter.  Japan does not desire war, is not preparing for it, is unwilling even to entertain the possibility of it.  At the same time she feels that her sons should receive the same consideration from every nation in the world as the sons of other people.  Personally it is our profound conviction that the good sense, the fairness, and the generous instincts of your great country will recognize this and act accordingly.  War between your country and Japan is an impossible thing.  The thought of it exists only in the frothy vaporings of cheap newspapers, and the sensational utterances of the catch politician who must find an audience and a hearing by any methods.  The sober possibility of such a conflict does not exist.”

Mr. Coulson listened attentively to every word.  When Sir Edward had finished, he withdrew his cigar from his mouth and knocked the ash on to a corner of the writing table.

“That’s all very interesting indeed, Sir Edward,” he declared.  “I am very pleased to have heard what you have said, and I shall repeat it to my friend on the other side, who, I am sure, will be exceedingly obliged to you for such a frank exposition of your views.  And now,” he continued, “I don’t want to keep you gentlemen up too late, so perhaps you will be coming to the answer of my question.”

“The answer!” Sir Edward exclaimed.  “Surely I made myself clear?”

“All that you have said,” Mr. Coulson admitted, “has been remarkably clear, but the question I asked you was this,—­what is to be the position of your country in the event of war between Japan and America?”

“And I have told you,” Sir Edward declared, “that war between Japan and America is not a subject within the scope of practical politics.”

“We may consider ourselves—­my friend Mr. Jones would certainly consider himself,” Mr. Coulson affirmed,—­“as good a judge as you, Sir Edward, so far as regards that matter.  I am not asking you whether it is probable or improbable.  You may know the feelings of your ally.  You do not know ours.  We may look into the future, and we may see that, sooner or later, war between our country and Japan is a necessity.  We may decide that it is better for us to fight now than later.  These things are in the clouds.  They only enter into the present discussion to this extent, but it is not for you to sit here and say whether war between the United States and Japan is possible or impossible.  What Mr. Jones asks you is—­what would be your position if it should take place?  The little diatribe with which you have just favored me is exactly the reply we should have expected to receive formally from Downing Street.  It isn’t that sort of reply I want to take back to Mr. Jones.”