The fear, of course, was baseless; any suggestion of such a policy in the United States would have destroyed any official who had brought it forward; but Lord Robert knew and Page knew that there were insidious influences at work at that time, both in the United States and in Great Britain, which looked in this direction.
A group of Americans, whom Page used to refer to as "peace spies," were associated with English pacifists, for the purpose of bringing about peace on almost any terms.

These "peace spies" had worked out a programme all their own.

The purpose was to compel Great Britain to accept the German terms for ending the war.

Unless she did accept them, then it was intended that the American Government should place an embargo on the shipment of foodstuffs and munitions to the Allies.

There is little question that the United States, by taking such action, could have ended the war almost instantaneously.