. . .  As for your suggestion that I should myself visit England during my term of office, I must say that I agree with all your arguments for it, and yet the case against the President’s leaving the country, particularly now that he is expected to exercise a constant leadership in all parts of the business of the government, is very strong and I am afraid overwhelming.  It might be the beginning of a practice of visiting foreign countries which would lead Presidents rather far afield.

     It is a most attractive idea, I can assure you, and I turn away
     from it with the greatest reluctance.

     We hear golden opinions of the impression you are making in
     England, and I have only to say that it is just what I had
     expected.

     Cordially and faithfully yours,
     WOODROW WILSON.

     HON.  WALTER H. PAGE,
     American Embassy,
     London, England.

In December, however, evidently Colonel House’s mind had turned to the general subject that had so engaged that of the Ambassador.

     From Edward M. House
     145 East 35th Street,
     New York City.

     December 13th, 1913.

     DEAR PAGE: 

     In my budget of yesterday I did not tell you of the suggestion
     which I made to Sir William Tyrrell when he was here, and which I
     also made to the President.

It occurred to me that between us all we might bring about the naval holiday which Winston Churchill has proposed.  My plan is that I should go to Germany in the spring and see the Kaiser, and try to win him over to the thought that is uppermost in our mind and that of the British Government.

Sir William thought there was a good sporting chance of success.  He offered to let me have all the correspondence that had passed between the British and German governments upon this question so that I might be thoroughly informed as to the position of them both.  He thought I should go directly to Germany without stopping in England, and that Gerard should prepare the Kaiser for my coming, telling him of my relations with the President.  He thought this would be sufficient without any further credentials.

     In other words, he would do with the Kaiser what you did with Sir
     Edward Grey last summer.

I spoke to the President about the matter and he seemed pleased with the suggestion; in fact, I might say, he was enthusiastic.  He said, just as Sir William did, that it would be too late for this year’s budget; but he made a suggestion that he get the Appropriations Committee to incorporate a clause, permitting him to eliminate certain parts of the battleship budget in the event that other nations declared for a naval holiday.  So this will be done and will further the plan.

Now I want to get you into the game.