s a politician
who through his credentials from Mr. Bryan met many high officials, and
informed them that President Wilson was writing his notes for 'home
consumption.' Mr. Gerard, however, appealed to Washington to know what
was meant by the moves of this American with authority from Mr. Bryan.
This was the beginning of the reason for Secretary Bryan's resigning.

"Secretary Bryan had informed also former Ambassador Dumba that the
United States would never take any position against Germany even though
it was hinted so in the _Lusitania_ note. Dumba telegraphed this to
Vienna and Berlin was informed immediately. Because of Mr. Gerard's
personal friendship and personal association with Secretary of State
von Jagow and Under Secretary of State Zimmermann, he was acquainted
with Secretary Bryan's move. He telegraphed to President Wilson and
the result was the resignation of Mr. Bryan."

In December, the _Ancona_ was torpedoed and it was officially explained
that the act was that of an Austrian submarine commander. Wilson's
note to Vienna brought about a near rupture between Austria-Hungary and
Germany because Austria and Hungary at that time were much opposed to
Germany's submarine methods. Although the submarines operating in the
Mediterranean were flying the Austrian flag, they were German
submarines, and members of the crews were German. Throughout the life
of the Emperor Franz Josef the Dual Monarchy was ruled, not from
Vienna, but from Budapest by Count Stefan Tisza, the Hungarian Premier.
I was in Budapest at the time and one evening saw Count Tisza at his
palace, which stands on the rocky cliff opposite the main part of
Budapest, and which overlooks the valley of the Danube for many miles.
Tisza, as well as all Hungarians, is pro-American before he is
pro-German.

"To think of trouble between Austria-Hungary and the United States is
sheer nonsense," he said in his quiet but forceful manner. "I must
confess, however, that we were greatly surprised to get the American
note. It is far from our intention to get into any quarrel with
America. Perhaps I should not say quarrel, because I know it would not
be that, but of course matters do not depend upon us entirely. There
is no reason for any trouble over the _Ancona_ question. It must be
settled satisfactorily," he said emphatically, "not only from the
standpoint of the United States, but from our standpoint."

The _Ancona_ crisis brought the Foreign Off