I mentioned the blacklist; I mentioned certain complaints that I then held in my hand--of Americans here who are told by the British Government that they must turn over to the British Government's agent in New York their American securities which they hold in America! There's a sort of imperious, arrogant, Tory action that comes natural to the English Government, even when not natural to the individual Englishman.
* * * * * On April 5th, the day before the United States formally declared war, Page notified Washington that the British Government wished Mr.Balfour to go to the United States as the head of a Commission to confer with our Government.

"Mr.Balfour is chosen for this mission," Page reported, "not only because he is Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but because he is personally the most distinguished member of the Government." Page tells the story in more detail in a letter to Mr.
Polk, at that time Counsellor of the State Department.
_To Frank L.Polk_ London, May 3, 1917.
DEAR MR.

POLK: ...

Mr.Balfour accurately represents British character, British opinion, and the British attitude.

Nobody who knows him and knows British character and the British attitude ever doubted that.