PERSONALITIES OF THE MEXICAN PROBLEM Page's remarks about the "trouble in Mexico City" and the "remaining task" refer, of course, to Sir Lionel Carden.

"As I make Carden out," he wrote about this time, "he's a slow-minded, unimaginative, commercial Briton, with as much nimbleness as an elephant.

British commerce is his deity, British advantage his duty and mission; and he goes about his work with blunt dullness and ineptitude.

That's his mental calibre as I read him--a dull, commercial man." Although Sir Lionel Carden had been compelled to harmonize himself with the American policy, Page regarded his continued presence in Mexico City as a standing menace to British-American relations.

He therefore set himself to accomplish the minister's removal.