that the United States might not only not pursue a course favourable to the Allies, but that it might even throw its support to Germany.  The fear, of course, was baseless; any suggestion of such a policy in the United States would have destroyed any official who had brought it forward; but Lord Robert knew and Page knew that there were insidious influences at work at that time, both in the United States and in Great Britain, which looked in this direction.  A group of Americans, whom Page used to refer to as “peace spies,” were associated with English pacifists, for the purpose of bringing about peace on almost any terms.  These “peace spies” had worked out a programme all their own.  The purpose was to compel Great Britain to accept the German terms for ending the war.  Unless she did accept them, then it was intended that the American Government should place an embargo on the shipment of foodstuffs and munitions to the Allies.  There is little question that the United States, by taking such action, could have ended the war almost instantaneously.  Should the food of her people and the great quantities of munitions which were coming from this country be suddenly cut off, there is little likelihood that Great Britain could have long survived.  The possibility that an embargo might shut out these supplies had hung over the heads of British statesmen ever since the war began; they knew that the possession of this mighty power made the United States the potential dictator of events; and the fear that it might be used had never ceased to influence their thoughts or their actions.  Even while this interview was taking place, certain anti-British forces in the United States, such as Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia, were urging action of this kind.

“I have always been almost a Pacifist,” Lord Robert continued.  “No man has ever hated war worse than I. No man has ever had a more earnest faith that war can be abolished.  But European civilization has been murderously assaulted and there is nothing now to do but to defeat this desperate enemy or to perish in the effort.  I had hoped that the United States understood what is at stake.”

Lord Robert went on: 

“I will go so far as to say that if the United States will come into the war it will decide which will win, freedom or organized tyranny.  If the United States shall help the Germans, civilization will perish and it will be necessary to build it up slowly again—­if indeed it will ever appear again.  If the United States will help the Allies, civilization will triumph[50].”

As to the proposal that the British terms should be conveyed confidentially to Mr. Wilson, Lord Robert said that that would be a difficult thing to do.  The President’s note had been published, and it therefore seemed necessary that the reply should also be given to the press.  This was the procedure that was ultimately adopted.

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