In sending the Admiral to England the Navy Department had acted on an earnest recommendation from Page.

The fact that the American Navy was inadequately represented in the British capital had long been a matter of embarrassment to him.

The ability and personal qualifications of our attaches had been unquestioned; but none of them during the war had been men of high rank, and this in itself proved to be a constant impediment to their success.

While America was represented by Commanders, Japan, Italy, and France had all sent Admirals to London.
Page's repeated requests for an American Admiral had so far met with no response, but the probability that this country would become involved in the war now gave new point to his representations.

In the latter part of March, Page renewed his request in still more urgent form, and this time the President and the Navy Department responded favourably.