Volume I Part 16 (1/2)

Although Sir Lionel Carden had been compelled to harmonize himself with the American policy, Page regarded his continued presence in Mexico City as a standing menace to British-American relations. He therefore set himself to accomplish the minister's removal. The failure of President Taft's attempt to obtain Carden's transfer from Havana, in 1912, showed that Page's new enterprise was a delicate and difficult one; yet he did not hesitate.

The part that the wives of diplomats and statesmen play in international relations is one that few Americans understand. Yet in London, the Amba.s.sador's wife is almost as important a person as the Amba.s.sador himself. An event which now took place in the American Emba.s.sy emphasized this point. A certain lady, well known in London, called upon Mrs. Page and gave her a message on Mexican affairs for the Amba.s.sador's benefit. The purport was that the activities of certain British commercial interests in Mexico, if not checked, would produce a serious situation between Great Britain and the United States. The lady in question was herself a sincere worker for Anglo-American amity, and this was the motive that led her to take an unusual step.

”It's all being done for the benefit of one man,” she said.

The facts were presented in the form of a memorandum, which Mrs. Page copied and gave the Amba.s.sador. This, in turn, Page sent to President Wilson.

_To Edward M. House_

London, November 26, 1913.

DEAR HOUSE:

Won't you read the enclosed and get it to the President? It is somewhat extra-official but it is very confidential, and I have a special reason for wis.h.i.+ng it to go through your hands. Perhaps it will interest you.

The lady that wrote it is one of the very best-informed women I know, one of those active and most influential women in the high political society of this Kingdom, at whose table statesmen and diplomats meet and important things come to pa.s.s. . . .

I am sure she has no motive but the avowed one. She has taken a liking to Mrs. Page and this is merely a friendly and patriotic act.

I had heard most of the things before as gossip--never before as here put together by a responsible hand.

Mrs. Page went to see her and, as evidence of our appreciation and safety, gave the original back to her. We have kept no copy, and I wish this burned, if you please. It would raise a riot here, if any breath of it were to get out, that would put bedlam to shame.

Lord Cowdray has been to see me for four successive days. I have a suspicion (though I don't know) that, instead of his running the Government, the Government has now turned the tables and is running him. His government contract is becoming a bad thing to sleep with.

He told me this morning that he (through Lord Murray) had withdrawn the request for any concession in Colombia[38]. I congratulated him. ”That, Lord Cowdray, will save you as well as some other people I know a good deal of possible trouble.” I have explained to him the whole New Principle _in extenso_, ”so that you may see clearly where the line of danger runs.” Lord! how he's changed!

Several weeks ago when I ran across him accidentally he was humorous, almost cynical. Now he's very serious. I explained to him that the only thing that had kept South America from being parcelled out as Africa has been is the Monroe Doctrine and the United States behind it. He granted that.

”In Monroe's time,” said I, ”the only way to take a part of South America was to take land. Now finance has new ways of its own!”

”Perhaps,” said he.

”Right there,” I answered, ”where you put your 'perhaps,' I put a danger signal. That, I a.s.sure you, you will read about in the histories as 'The Wilson Doctrine'!”

You don't know how easy it all is with our friend and leader in command. I've almost grown bold. You feel steady ground beneath you. They are taking to their tents.

”What's going to happen in Mexico City?”

”A peaceful tragedy, followed by emanc.i.p.ation.”

”And the great industries of Mexico?”

”They will not have to depend on adventurers' favours!”

”But in the meantime, what?”

”Patience, looking towards justice!”

Yours heartily and in health (you bet!) W.H.P.