llation. He was
always willing to go, to take any chance, to endure discomfort and all
if he had a fighting opportunity to get the news. The public now knows
that Davis was arrested on this trip, that Huerta refused to make good
on the interview, and that it was only through the good efforts of the
British Ambassador at the Mexican capital he was released. But Davis
went.

"There was an echo of this journey to the Mexican capital several
months later after the conflict in Europe had been raging for a few
weeks. Lord Kitchener announced at one stage of the proceedings he
would permit a single correspondent, selected and indorsed by the
United States Government, to accompany the British army to the front.
Of course, all the swarm of American correspondents in London at the
time were eager for the desirable indorsement. Mr. Davis cabled back
the conditions of his acceptance. Immediately Secretary of State Bryan
was called in Washington on the long-distance telephone.

"'Lord Kitchener has announced,' the Secretary of State was told, 'that
he will accept one correspondent with the British troops in the field,
if he is indorsed by the United States Government. Richard Harding
Davis, who is in London, represents a string of the strongest
newspapers in the United States for this syndicate, and we desire the
indorsement of the State Department so he can obtain this appointment.'

"'Mr. Davis made us some trouble when he was in Mexico,' answered Mr.
Bryan. 'He proceeded to the Mexican capital without our consent and I
will have to consider the matter very carefully before indorsing him.
His Mexican escapade caused us some diplomatic efforts and
embarrassment.' (What the Secretary of State did to bring about Mr.
Davis's release on the occasion of his Mexican arrest is still a secret
of the Department.)

"Mr. Bryan did not indorse Mr. Davis finally, which was well, since
Lord Kitchener of Khartum kept the selected list of correspondents
loafing around London on one pretext or another so long they all became
disgusted and went without an official pass from 'K. of K.' As soon as
Mr. Davis was told he would not be appointed he proceeded to Belgium
and returned some of the most thrilling stories written on this
conflict at great personal risk."

May 13, 1914.

MY DEAREST ONE:

DO NOT BLAME me for this long delay in writing. God knows I wanted
every day to "talk" to you. But we were on the "suspect" list, and to