Sir Edward Grey's interview with the American Ambassador thus had great historic importance, for it makes this point clear.

The two men had recently had many discussions on another subject in which the violation of a treaty was the great consideration--that of Panama tolls--and there was a certain appropriateness in this explanation of the British Foreign Secretary that precisely the same point had determined Great Britain's participation in the greatest struggle that has ever devastated Europe.
Inevitably the question of American mediation had come to the surface in this trying time.

Several days before Page's interview with Grey, the American Ambassador, acting in response to a cablegram from Washington, had asked if the good offices of the United States could be used in any way.

"Sir Edward is very appreciative of our mood and willingness," Page wrote in reference to this visit.

"But they don't want peace on the continent--the ruling classes do not.