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

THE BRITISH CABINET IN DISSOLUTION 447

finally told me that he had concluded it was useless because,
in his opinion, the British Government would not consider
for a moment the proposal to lift the embargo.
It was then I sent you the discouraging cable. However,
when your second cable of Tuesday came, I went to see Sir
Edward without further consultation with Page.
I found Grey was even more receptive of the suggestion
than when I saw him last, and he promised to use all his influence in favor of such a proposal, provided one was made
by Germany. He added, however, that the discontinuance of
asphyxiating or poisonous gases must also be included in any
agreement made.
He explained that the Cabinet was in dissolution and that
he could only speak for himself and that he did not want me
to consider that he spoke for the Government. I expressed a
willingness to accept his personal assurance in regard to his
own endeavors, with the understanding that it committed no
one but himself. He said that in ordinary times if the
Cabinet refused to acquiesce in his view, he would resign; but
that he did not feel justified in doing this in time of war. I
took occasion to express your high regard for him and to
assure him that we would consider his resignation a calamity.
He dictated, while I wrote, the understanding between us,
which was literally this:
1st. Permitting staple foodstuffs to go to neutral ports
without question.
2d. All foodstuffs now detained to be brought before the
prize court as quickly as possible.
3d. Claims for cotton cargoes now detained to be made as
soon as shippers certify as to each cargo, that they are the
real owners to whom payment should be made.
Should England agree to the first proposition, Germany
was to cease submarine warfare on merchant vessels and
discontinue the use of asphyxiating or poisonous gases.
Propositions two and three are matters between this Gov