A few days after this White House interview Sir Lionel Carden performed what must have been for him an uncongenial duty.  This loquacious minister led a procession of European diplomats to General Huerta, formally advised that warrior to yield to the American demands and withdraw from the Presidency of Mexico.  The delegation informed the grim dictator that their governments were supporting the American policy and Sir Lionel brought him the unwelcome news that he could not depend upon British support.  About the same time Premier Asquith made conciliatory remarks on Mexico at the Guildhall banquet.  He denied that the British Government had undertaken any policy “deliberately opposed to that of the United States.  There is no vestige of foundation for such a rumour.”  These events changed the atmosphere at Washington, which now became almost as cordial to Great Britain as it had for several months been suspicious.

     To Edward M. House

London, November 15, 1913.

     DEAR HOUSE: 

All’s well here.  The whole trouble was caused not here but in Mexico City; and that is to be remedied yet.  And it will be!  For the moment it is nullified.  But you need give yourself no concern about the English Government or people, in the long run.  It is taking them some time to see the vast difference between acting by a principle and acting by what they call a “policy.”  They and we ourselves too have from immemorial time been recognizing successful adventurers, and they didn’t instantly understand this new “idealistic” move; they didn’t know the man at the helm!  I preached many sermons to our friend, I explained the difference to many private groups, I made after-dinner speeches leading right up to the point—­as far as I dared, I inspired many newspaper articles; and they see it now and have said it and have made it public; and the British people are enthusiastic as far as they understand it.

And anybody concerned here understands the language that the President speaks now.  You mustn’t forget that in all previous experiences in Latin America we ourselves have been as much to blame as anybody else.  Now we have a clear road to travel, a policy based on character to follow forever—­a new era.  Our dealing with Cuba was a new chapter in the history of the world.  Our dealing with Mexico is Chapter II of the same Revelation.  Tell ’em this in Washington.

     The remaining task will be done too and I think pretty soon.  For
     that I need well-loaded shells.  I’ll supply the gunpowder.

And don’t you concern yourself about the English.  They’re all
right—­a little slow, but all right.

Heartily yours,

WALTER H. PAGE.

To Edward M. House

Newtimber Place, Hassocks, Sussex,
Sunday, November 23, 1913.

DEAR HOUSE: