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

280 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

The Emperor took note of its content with the greatest
interest. Alas, all His strong and sincere efforts to conserve
peace have entirely failed. I am afraid that Russia's procedure will force the old world and especially my country in
the most terrible war! There is no chance now to discuss the
possibility of an understanding, so much desired, which would
lay the foundation for permanent peace and security.
With assurances of my high regard, I remain, my dear
Colonel,
Sincerely yours
ZIMMERMANN
From Ambassador Page in London there came a veiled but
emphatic reference to the efforts which House had made to
prevent the war. Mr. Page issued the following announcement to the press:
'One thing I want to make clear that a great many people
have talked to me about. Many seem to have the impression
that the United States missed a great opportunity. The
United States did everything possible to avert war. If ever
a job was done right up to the hilt, it was that.'
On the other hand, Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the British
Ambassador in Washington, went so far as to intimate that,
while it was the information that House brought from Berlin
which had opened Grey's eyes to the seriousness of the situation, the Colonel's endeavors might have been one of the
causes which precipitated that crisis. 'You came so near
making a general war impossible,' he told House, 'that the
war party in Berlin and Vienna became alarmed. They
probably knew why you were in Berlin and what you said
to the Kaiser. They also probably knew why you went to
England, and they undoubtedly knew the contents of your
letter to the Kaiser. That, together with Sir Edward Grey's