A MAN OF MYSTERY
Naturally one of the most vital problems that stirred Dr. Albert was the British Order in Council in regard to the blockade of Germany from which resulted the seizure of meat and food supplies and cotton by British war vessels. He was always on the alert for information as to what was the attitude of the Administration and the people of the United States toward the blockade. That he used secret and perhaps devious means to get it is revealed by a confidential report which he received under most mysterious circumstances concerning an interview by a man referred to as “M. P.” with President Wilson and Secretary Lansing. “M. P.,” according to the conversation, claimed to have received from the President “a candid, confidential statement in order to make clear not only his own opposition, but also necessarily the political opportunity.” A striking part of this conversation follows:
“L. advises regarding a conference with M. P. Thereafter M. P. saw Lansing as well as Wilson. He informed both of them that an American syndicate had approached him which had strong German relations. This syndicate wishes to buy up cotton for Germany in great style, thereby to relieve the cotton situation, and at the same time to provide Germany with cotton. The relations of the American syndicate with Germany are very strong, so that they might even possibly be able to influence the position of Germany in the general political question. M. P. therefore asked for a candid, confidential statement in order to make clear not only his own position, but also necessarily the political opportunity. The result of the conversation was as follows:
“1. The note of protest to England will go in any event whether Germany answers satisfactorily or not.
“2. Should it be possible to settle satisfactorily the Lusitania case, the President will bind himself to carry the protest against England through to the uttermost.
“3. The continuance of the difference with Germany over the Lusitania case is ‘embarrassing’ for the President in carrying out the protest against England....
“4. A contemplated English proposal to buy cotton in great style and invest the proceeds in America would not satisfy the President as an answer to the protest....
“5. The President, in order to ascertain from Mr. M. P. how strong the German influence of this syndicate is, would like to have the trend of the German note before the note is officially sent, and declares himself ready, before the answer is drafted, to discuss it with M. P., and eventually to so influence it that there will be an agreement for its reception, and also to be ready to influence the press through a wink.
“6. As far as the note itself is concerned, which he awaits, so he awaits another expression of regret, which was not followed in the last note—regret together with the statement that nobody had expected that human lives would be lost and that the ship would sink so quickly.
“The President is said to have openly declared that he could hardly hope for a positive statement that the submarine warfare would be discontinued.”