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thought he could do it in a way to which Germany would not object and might
even take as vindication of her own position.
I also suggested another clause, which he inserted, stating specifi-
cally he was not trying to mediate or demand peace.
He again insisted that I go over and be in England when this note was de-
livered. I should dislike to do this for many reasons. His note may be re-
ceived with great indignation and <sic>contrued</sic> as a move in favor of Germany and,
besides that, my going may bring about a crisis with Page. I called the Pres-
ident's attention to this phase and he expressed indifference to Page's attitude.
He thought it would not affect anyone excepting Page, and he felt quite content
to have him resign <del/> in any <del/> way he would.
I do not share this view. Page could resign stating that he did not
approve the President's overtures and it would make him popular in England and
the President correspondingly unpopular. It would also be a blow at the propo-
sal. We argued this earnestly from various angles, but I did not convince
the President that it was a serious obstacle. He asked me to think out the
best way of sending the note without cabling it. He thought if it were ca-
bled, it would become public property immediately and before it reached the dis-
tant belligerents. It would reach England and France within a few hours, but
would take days to reach Russia, Germany and Austria.
I thought he should prepare a better background than he now has for
the reception of the note, particularly in the Allied countries. This, I
thought, might be done by making a firm protest in regard to Belgian deportations.
I told of my having a cable sent over, with the consent of Lansing, giving the
true story of the part our Navy took in the activities of U 53. This I felt
would create a favorable impression. My whole idea is to delay until the time
seems propitious. It is too important a matter to bungle, and if he is not
| Title | ms_0466_s2_v4_299 |
| Transcript |
thought he could do it in a way to which Germany would not object and might
even take as vindication of her own position.
I also suggested another clause, which he inserted, stating specifi-
cally he was not trying to mediate or demand peace.
He again insisted that I go over and be in England when this note was de-
livered. I should dislike to do this for many reasons. His note may be re-
ceived with great indignation and |
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