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

TALK WITH HERRICK IN PARIS

259

'June 8, 1914: I have spent a quiet week in Paris, my most
arduous duty being to dodge Americans and others wanting
to see me. We have had many invitations to dinner and
luncheon, all of which have been declined, although one
came from our Ambassador.
'I called on Herrick,l it having been understood that I
would do so when I was ready to talk with him. Mr. Roosevelt had been with him the day before, and he told me something of T. R.'s mental and physical activities. Herrick
made the prediction that T. R. was getting ready to go back
home and to give the Democrats a thoroughly unhappy
time. I replied that I was sure he could do nothing that would
distress us so much as it would his fellow Republicans.
'Herrick read passages from his forthcoming book upon
rural credits and told me that within a short time he would
have it finished and ready for publication. He would then
like to return to America...
'June 12, 1914 [London]: I came from Paris on the 9th.
I lunched with Page on the 10th and he lunched with me
yesterday, so we have had an exchange of ideas. He was kind
enough to say that he considered my work in Germany the
most important done in this generation. I thought before
making an estimate we would have to see how far I could get
with it here. He replied I would find this Government very
sympathetic and he felt a beginning was as good as accomplished. We decided to approach Sir Edward Grey first and
leave it to his judgment whether to bring in Asquith and the
King.... '
House arrived in London at the height of the season, and
there was no possibility of securing political results with
speed. Social affairs held sway, and it was not until a full
week after the Colonel's arrival that Ambassador Page could
find a free day for the lunch with Sir Edward. In the meanThe American Ambassador.