[Footnote 37:  Viscount Haldane, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain since 1912.]

CHAPTER VII

PERSONALITIES OF THE MEXICAN PROBLEM

Page’s remarks about the “trouble in Mexico City” and the “remaining task” refer, of course, to Sir Lionel Carden.  “As I make Carden out,” he wrote about this time, “he’s a slow-minded, unimaginative, commercial Briton, with as much nimbleness as an elephant.  British commerce is his deity, British advantage his duty and mission; and he goes about his work with blunt dullness and ineptitude.  That’s his mental calibre as I read him—­a dull, commercial man.”

Although Sir Lionel Carden had been compelled to harmonize himself with the American policy, Page regarded his continued presence in Mexico City as a standing menace to British-American relations.  He therefore set himself to accomplish the minister’s removal.  The failure of President Taft’s attempt to obtain Carden’s transfer from Havana, in 1912, showed that Page’s new enterprise was a delicate and difficult one; yet he did not hesitate.

The part that the wives of diplomats and statesmen play in international relations is one that few Americans understand.  Yet in London, the Ambassador’s wife is almost as important a person as the Ambassador himself.  An event which now took place in the American Embassy emphasized this point.  A certain lady, well known in London, called upon Mrs. Page and gave her a message on Mexican affairs for the Ambassador’s benefit.  The purport was that the activities of certain British commercial interests in Mexico, if not checked, would produce a serious situation between Great Britain and the United States.  The lady in question was herself a sincere worker for Anglo-American amity, and this was the motive that led her to take an unusual step.

“It’s all being done for the benefit of one man,” she said.

The facts were presented in the form of a memorandum, which Mrs. Page copied and gave the Ambassador.  This, in turn, Page sent to President Wilson.

     To Edward M. House

     London, November 26, 1913.

     DEAR HOUSE: 

Won’t you read the enclosed and get it to the President?  It is somewhat extra-official but it is very confidential, and I have a special reason for wishing it to go through your hands.  Perhaps it will interest you.

The lady that wrote it is one of the very best-informed women I know, one of those active and most influential women in the high political society of this Kingdom, at whose table statesmen and diplomats meet and important things come to pass. . . .

     I am sure she has no motive but the avowed one.  She has taken a
     liking to Mrs. Page and this is merely a friendly and patriotic
     act.

     I had heard most of the things before as gossip—­never before as
     here put together by a responsible hand.