Perhaps he did not care to face the public scandal that such an act would have caused; but a more plausible reason is that Page, despite the causes which he had given for irritation, was indispensable to him.

Page's early letters had furnished the President ideas which had taken shape in Wilson's policies, and, disagreeable as the communications now became, there are evidences that they influenced the solitary statesman in the White House, and that they had much to do in finally forcing Mr.Wilson into the war.

The alternative question, as to why Page did not retire when he found himself so out of sympathy with the President, will be sufficiently answered in subsequent chapters; at present it may be said that he did resign and only consented to remain at the urgent request of Washington.

In fact, all during 1915 and 1916, there seemed to be a fear in Washington that Page would definitely abandon the London post.

On one occasion, when the newspapers published rumours to this effect, Page received an urgent despatch from Mr.Lansing.The message came at a time--the date was October 26, 1915--when Page was especially discouraged over the Washington policy.