The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

228 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

'Eduardes was delighted with this suggestion. Later in
the day I proposed it to LansdowneJ) He was startled, and
said it was a matter needing careful consideration because
Japan might consider it was directed at her. I thought
Japan should be taken at her word. She has repeatedly said
she had no designs in the Western Hemisphere, and Great
Britain need only accept her assurances at their face value.
Lansdowne favored the proposal, but declared it of such
importance that careful thought should be given it.
'February 21, 1916: The first question I took up with
Grey was the suggestion which came to me yesterday
regarding the Pan-American Pact. I told Grey I had mentioned it to Lansdowne and he thought it a great move,
provided it was so guarded as not to offend the Japanese.
Grey took the same attitude I did, that the Japanese could
not possibly consider it directed at them. He enthused over
the idea and asked me to dictate the question I thought
should be put to him in Parliament. I did so, while he wrote
it down. It was, whether the Government was taking
cognizance of the Pan-American Pact recently announced,
guaranteeing the political and territorial integrity of the
American republics, and what effect it would have upon the
British Dominions in America.
'The thought then occurred to me, and I expressed it to
Grey, that after this was done and after I had consulted
with the President, the British Government might join the
American guaranty as far as their American colonies were
concerned. This, I told him, was one way [for Great Britain]
to bring about a sympathetic alliance not only with the
United States, but with the entire Western Hemisphere.
In my opinion, it was an opportunity not to be disregarded
and its tendency would be to bring together an influence
which could control the peace of the world.
'Grey... thought it should be done. I afterward cabled
1 Minister without Portfolio.