I may mention for what it is worth that on Hoover’s last trip to Germany he was told by Bullock, of the Philadelphia Ledger, that Zimmermann of the Berlin Foreign Office had told him that the Germans had intended in June to take steps for an armistice which were prevented by the preparations for the allied offensive in the west.

Y was very emphatic in what he said of the attitude of his government and the British people toward continuing the war to an absolutely conclusive end, and I was much impressed.  He said among other things that the execution of Captain Fryatt had had a markedly perceptible effect in hardening British public opinion against Germany and fixing the determination to fight to a relentless finish.  This corresponds exactly with my own observations.

I leave this letter entirely in your hands.  You will know what use to make of it.  It is meant as an official communication in everything but the usual form from which I have departed for reasons I need not explain further.

     I look forward eagerly to your return,

     Very sincerely yours,

     IRWIN LAUGHLIN.

Page waited five weeks before he succeeded in obtaining his interview with Mr. Wilson.

     To the President

     The New Willard, Washington, D.C.

     Thursday, September 21, 1916.

     DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: 

While I am waiting for a convenient time to come when you will see me for a conference and report, I send you notes on conversations with Lord Grey and Lord Bryce[47].  They are, in effect, though of course not in form, messages to you.

The situation between our government and Great Britain seems to me most alarming; and (let me add) easily removable, if I can get the ear of anybody in authority.  But I find here only an atmosphere of suspicion—­unwarranted by facts and easily dissipated by straight and simple friendly methods.  I am sure of this.

     I have, besides, a most important and confidential message for you
     from the British Government which they prefer should be orally
     delivered.

And I have written out a statement of my own study of the situation and of certain proposals which, I think, if they commend themselves to you, will go far to remove this dangerous tension.  I hope to go over them with you at your convenience.

     Yours faithfully,

     WALTER H. PAGE.

The situation was alarming for more reasons than the determination of Germany to force the peace issue.  The State Department was especially irritated at this time over the blockade.  Among the “trade advisers” there was a conviction, which all Page’s explanations had not destroyed, that Great Britain was using the blockade as a means of destroying American commerce and securing America’s