Inevitably the question of American mediation had come to the surface in this trying time.  Several days before Page’s interview with Grey, the American Ambassador, acting in response to a cablegram from Washington, had asked if the good offices of the United States could be used in any way.  “Sir Edward is very appreciative of our mood and willingness,” Page wrote in reference to this visit.  “But they don’t want peace on the continent—­the ruling classes do not.  But they will want it presently and then our opportunity will come.  Ours is the only great government in the world that is not in some way entangled.  Of course I’ll keep in daily touch with Sir Edward and with everybody who can and will keep me informed.”

This was written about July 27th; at that time Austria had sent her ultimatum to Serbia but there was no certainty that Europe would become involved in war.  A demand for American mediation soon became widespread in the United States; the Senate passed a resolution requesting the President to proffer his good offices to that end.  On this subject the following communications were exchanged between President Wilson and his chief adviser, then sojourning at his summer home in Massachusetts.  Like Mr. Tumulty, the President’s Secretary, Colonel House usually addressed the President in terms reminiscent of the days when Mr. Wilson was Governor of New Jersey.  Especially interesting also are Colonel House’s references to his own trip to Berlin and the joint efforts made by the President and himself in the preceding June to forestall the war which had now broken out.

     Edward M. House to the President

     Pride’s Crossing (Mass.),

     August 3, 1914. [Monday.]

     The President,

     The White House, Washington, D.C.

     Dear Governor: 

     Our people are deeply shocked at the enormity of this general
     European war, and I see here and there regret that you did not use
     your good offices in behalf of peace.

If this grows into criticism so as to become noticeable I believe everyone would be pleased and proud that you had anticipated this world-wide horror and had done all that was humanly possible to avert it.

     The more terrible the war becomes, the greater credit it will be
     that you saw the trend of events long before it was seen by other
     statesmen of the world.

     Your very faithful,
     E.M.  House.

P.S.  The question might be asked why negotiations were only with Germany and England and not with France and Russia.  This, of course, was because it was thought that Germany would act for the Triple Alliance and England for the Triple Entente[65].

     The President to Edward M. House

     The White House,

     Washington, D.C.

     August 4th, 1914. [Tuesday.]