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

GREAT BRITAIN AND PAN-AMERICA 229

the President, telling him what I had proposed to Grey, but
without giving details....
'I gave Loreburn ' a summary of what I had told Grey
concerning the Pan-American Pact and what Grey had
promised to do in the House of Commons provided the
Canadian Prime Minister approved. Grey felt that a matter
appertaining solely to American affairs should first be submitted to the Canadian Government, and this was being
done by cable.
'I suggested to Loreburn that he prepare a speech in advance, without saying anything to Grey, so when the announcement was made in the Commons he could give it his
warm approval in the House of Lords. Hewas eager to do this,
for he said it presented to his mind a magnificent prospect.
'February 22, 1916: He [Grey] told me that Bonar Law
was of the opinion it would be somewhat hasty to have the
question asked in the House of Commons, and an answer
given just now, about the Pan-American Pact. He has
cabled the Canadian Prime Minister and the matter will be
brought out at the time considered most opportune.'
Returning to the United States on March 5, House heard
from Grey soon afterwards that the British thoroughly
approved of the Pan-American Pact and were interested in
the plan of affiliation with it, but evidently feared to make
any public statement before its consummation seemed
better assured.
Sir Edward Grey to Colonel House
FOREIGN OFFICE, March 23, 1916
DEAR COLONEL HOUSE:
Soon after you left, the Chilean Minister volunteered a
statement to Sir M. de Bunsen 2 of his conversation with you
about the Pan-American proposal.
1 Lord Loreburn, an advanced Liberal and former Lord Chancellor.
2 British Ambassador to Austria until 1914; appointed Special Ambassador to States of South America in 1918.