One episode that was greatly stirring both Great Britain and the United States at this time was the trial of Sir Roger Casement, the Irish leader who had left Wilhelmshaven for Ireland in a German submarine and who had been captured at Tralee in the act of landing arms and munitions for an Irish insurrection.  Casement’s subsequent trial and conviction on a charge of high treason had inspired a movement in his favour from Irish-Americans, the final outcome of which was that the Senate, in early August, passed a resolution asking the British Government for clemency and stipulating that this resolution should be presented to the Foreign Office.  Page was then on the ocean bound for the United States and the delicate task of presenting this document to Sir Edward Grey fell upon Mr. Laughlin, who was now Charge d’affaires.  Mr. Laughlin is a diplomat of great experience, but this responsibility at first seemed to be something of a poser even for him.  He had received explicit instructions from Washington to present this resolution, and the one thing above all which a diplomatic officer must do is to carry out the orders of his government, but Mr. Laughlin well knew that, should he present this paper in the usual manner, the Foreign Secretary might decline to receive it; he might regard it as an interference with matters that exclusively concerned the sovereign state.  Mr. Laughlin, however, has a technique all his own, and, in accordance with this, he asked for an interview with Sir Edward Grey to discuss a matter of routine business.  However, the Charge d’affaires carried the Casement resolution tucked away in an inside pocket when he made his call.

Like Mr. Page, Mr. Laughlin was on the friendliest terms with Sir Edward Grey, and, after the particular piece of business had been transacted, the two men, as usual, fell into casual conversation.  Casement then loomed large in the daily press, and the activities of the American Senate had likewise caused some commotion in London.  In round-about fashion Mr. Laughlin was able to lead Sir Edward to make some reference to the Casement case.

“I see the Senate has passed a resolution asking clemency,” said the Foreign Secretary—­exactly the remark which the American wished to elicit.

“Yes,” was the reply.  “By the way, I happen to have a copy of the resolution with me.  May I give it to you?”

“Yes, I should like to have it.”

The Foreign Secretary read it over with deliberation.

“This is a very interesting document,” he said, when he had finished.  “Would you have any objection if I showed it to the Prime Minister?”

Of course that was precisely what Mr. Laughlin did wish, and he replied that this was the desire of his government.  The purpose of his visit had been accomplished, and he was able to cable Washington that its instructions had been carried out and that the Casement resolution had been presented to the British Government.  Simultaneously with his communication, however, he reported also that the execution of Roger Casement had taken place.  In fact, it was being carried out at the time of the interview.  This incident lends point to Page’s memorandum of the last interview which he had before leaving England.