In its application to the situation presented by this war it is altogether to the advantage of Germany.
I have delayed to write you this way too long.

I have feared that I might possibly seem to be influenced by sympathy with England and by the atmosphere here.

But I write of course solely with reference to our own country's interest and its position after the reorganization of Europe.
Anderson[92] and Laughlin[93] agree with me emphatically.
WALTER H.PAGE.
II The immediate cause of this protest was, as its context shows, the fact that the State Department was insisting that Great Britain should adopt the Declaration of London as a code of law for regulating its warfare on German shipping.

Hostilities had hardly started when Mr.Bryan made this proposal; his telegram on this subject is dated August 7, 1914.

"You will further state," said Mr.Bryan, "that this Government believes that the acceptance of these laws by the belligerents would prevent grave misunderstandings which may arise as to the relations between belligerents and neutrals.