Mrs. Page went to see her and, as evidence of our appreciation and safety, gave the original back to her.  We have kept no copy, and I wish this burned, if you please.  It would raise a riot here, if any breath of it were to get out, that would put bedlam to shame.

Lord Cowdray has been to see me for four successive days.  I have a suspicion (though I don’t know) that, instead of his running the Government, the Government has now turned the tables and is running him.  His government contract is becoming a bad thing to sleep with.  He told me this morning that he (through Lord Murray) had withdrawn the request for any concession in Colombia[38].  I congratulated him.  “That, Lord Cowdray, will save you as well as some other people I know a good deal of possible trouble.”  I have explained to him the whole New Principle in extenso, “so that you may see clearly where the line of danger runs.”  Lord! how he’s changed!  Several weeks ago when I ran across him accidentally he was humorous, almost cynical.  Now he’s very serious.  I explained to him that the only thing that had kept South America from being parcelled out as Africa has been is the Monroe Doctrine and the United States behind it.  He granted that.

     “In Monroe’s time,” said I, “the only way to take a part of South
     America was to take land.  Now finance has new ways of its own!”

     “Perhaps,” said he.

     “Right there,” I answered, “where you put your ‘perhaps,’ I put a
     danger signal.  That, I assure you, you will read about in the
     histories as ’The Wilson Doctrine’!”

     You don’t know how easy it all is with our friend and leader in
     command.  I’ve almost grown bold.  You feel steady ground beneath
     you.  They are taking to their tents.

     “What’s going to happen in Mexico City?”

     “A peaceful tragedy, followed by emancipation.”

     “And the great industries of Mexico?”

     “They will not have to depend on adventurers’ favours!”

     “But in the meantime, what?”

     “Patience, looking towards justice!”

     Yours heartily and in health (you bet!)
     W.H.P.

     From Edward M. House

     145 East 35th Street,
     New York City. 
     December 12, 1913.

     DEAR PAGE: 

Your budget under dates, November 15th, 23rd, and 26th came to me last week, just after the President had been here.  I saved the letters until I went to Washington, from which place I have just returned.

The President has been in bed for nearly a week and Doctor Grayson permitted no one to see him but me.  Yesterday before I left he was feeling so well that I asked him if he did not want to feel better and then I read him your letters.  Mrs. Wilson was present.

I cannot tell you how pleased he was.