Lord Kitchener announced at one stage of the proceedings he would permit a single correspondent, selected and indorsed by the United States Government, to accompany the British army to the front.
Of course, all the swarm of American correspondents in London at the time were eager for the desirable indorsement.

Mr.Davis cabled back the conditions of his acceptance.

Immediately Secretary of State Bryan was called in Washington on the long-distance telephone.
"'Lord Kitchener has announced,' the Secretary of State was told, 'that he will accept one correspondent with the British troops in the field, if he is indorsed by the United States Government.

Richard Harding Davis, who is in London, represents a string of the strongest newspapers in the United States for this syndicate, and we desire the indorsement of the State Department so he can obtain this appointment.' "'Mr.Davis made us some trouble when he was in Mexico,' answered Mr.
Bryan.

'He proceeded to the Mexican capital without our consent and I will have to consider the matter very carefully before indorsing him.
His Mexican escapade caused us some diplomatic efforts and embarrassment.' (What the Secretary of State did to bring about Mr.
Davis's release on the occasion of his Mexican arrest is still a secret of the Department.) "Mr.Bryan did not indorse Mr.Davis finally, which was well, since Lord Kitchener of Khartum kept the selected list of correspondents loafing around London on one pretext or another so long they all became disgusted and went without an official pass from 'K.