are destroying more merchant ships than all the shipbuilding docks of all the world are now turning out.  This is the most serious aspect of the war—­by far the most serious.  I am trying to get our Government to send over hundreds of improvised destroyers—­armed tugs, yachts, etc., etc.  Admiral Sims and the British Admiralty have fears that unless such help come the full fruits of the war may never be gathered by the Allies—­that some sort of a compromise peace may have to be made.

It is, therefore, true that the year and a half we waited after the Lusitania will prove to be the most costly year and a half in our history; and for once at least my old prophecy was quite a good guess.  But that water has flowed over the dam and it is worth mentioning now only because you challenged me....

That part of Page’s letter which refers to his retirement had a curious history.  It was practically a resignation and therefore called for an immediate reply, but Mr. Wilson did not even acknowledge its receipt.  For two months the Ambassador was left in the dark as to the attitude of Washington.  Finally, in the latter part of January, 1917, Page wrote urgently to Mr. Lansing, asking him to bring the matter to the President’s attention.  On February 5, 1917, Mr. Lansing’s reply was received.  “The President,” he said, “under extreme pressure of the present situation, has been unable to consider your communication in regard to your resignation.  He desires me to inform you that he hopes that, at the present time, you will not press to be relieved from service; that he realizes that he is asking you to make a personal sacrifice, but he believes that you will appreciate the importance, in the crisis which has developed, that no change should be made.  I hardly need to add my personal hope that you will put aside any thought of resigning your post for the present.”

At this time, of course, any idea of retiring was out of the question.  The President had dismissed Bernstorff and there was every likelihood that the country would soon be at war.  Page would have regarded his retirement at this crisis as little less than the desertion of his post.  Moreover, since Mr. Wilson had adopted the policy which the Ambassador had been urging for nearly two years, and had sent Bernstorff home, any logical excuse that may have existed for his resignation existed no longer.  Mr. Wilson had now adopted a course which Page could enthusiastically support.

“I am happy to serve here at any sacrifice”—­such was his reply to Mr. Lansing—­“until after the end of the war, and I am making my arrangements to stay for this period.”