who shared their enthusiasm on this subject; in numerous other ways the impression was conveyed that the two countries could solve the Mexican entanglement much better if a more congenial person represented British interests in the Southern Republic.  This reasoning evidently produced the desired results.  In early January, 1914, a hint was unofficially conveyed to the American Ambassador that Carden was to be summoned to London for a “conversation” with Sir Edward Grey, and that his return to Mexico would depend upon the outcome of that interview.  There was a likelihood that, in future, Sir Lionel Carden would represent the British Empire in Brazil.

This news, sent in discreet cipher to Washington, delighted the Administration.  “It is fine about Carden,” wrote Colonel House on January 10th.  “I knew you had done it when I saw it in the papers, but I did not know just how.  You could not have brought it about in a more diplomatic and effectual way.”

And the following came from the President: 

     From President Wilson

     Pass Christian,

     January 6, 1914.

     MY DEAR PAGE: 

     I have your letter of December twenty-first, which I have greatly
     enjoyed.

Almost at the very time I was reading it, the report came through the Associated Press from London that Carden was to be transferred immediately to Brazil.  If this is true, it is indeed a most fortunate thing and I feel sure it is to be ascribed to your tactful and yet very plain representations to Sir Edward Grey.  I do not think you realize how hard we worked to get from either Lind or O’Shaughnessy[39] definite items of speech or conduct which we could furnish you as material for what you had to say to the Ministers about Carden.  It simply was not obtainable.  Everything that we got was at second or third hand.  That he was working against us was too plain for denial, and yet he seems to have done it in a very astute way which nobody could take direct hold of.  I congratulate you with all my heart on his transference.

I long, as you do, for an opportunity to do constructive work all along the line in our foreign relations, particularly with Great Britain and the Latin-American states, but surely, my dear fellow, you are deceiving yourself in supposing that constructive work is not now actually going on, and going on at your hands quite as much as at ours.  The change of attitude and the growing ability to understand what we are thinking about and purposing on the part of the official circle in London is directly attributable to what you have been doing, and I feel more and more grateful every day that you are our spokesman and interpreter there.  This is the only possible constructive work in foreign affairs, aside from definite acts of policy.  So far as the policy is concerned, you may be sure I will strive to the utmost to obtain both a repeal of the discrimination in