Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/153

Rh was prepared to prove it to my entire satisfaction.

"I tried not to betray my sense of the sureme importance of this communication, which was too circumstantial and precise to be wholly imaginary, if possibly exaggerated. * * *

"I said to my visitor: 'Of course what you state is of grave importance to my government if it can be substantiated, but of none at all without proofs which cannot be disputed or explained away.'

"Of course not,' he replied.

What kind of proofs can you furnish?' I asked.

Original documents,' he said, 'and what is more, I will engage that with my proofs in hand, you can effectually secure the arrest of the ships. * * *'

"He thereupon produced a certified copy of the government authorization and some half dozen original letters and papers, showing, beyond a doubt, the substantial truth of his statements. * * * He said that of course the papers