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1914] MR. HOWARD AND M. THI&BAUD 275
On his return the Foreign Secretary hastened to tell
me that, having seen the people quoted above in Paris
and having also called on M. von Jagow and M.
Zimmer-mann in Berlin, he had derived reassuring impressions
from his conversation with both sides. This pertinacity
in acquainting me with the political situation of Europe
surprised me somewhat, but I was none the less
grateful to M. Wallenberg for the courtesy and the confidence
which he showed towards me on this occasion.
The conversation with my new colleagues, especially
with the British Minister, were not of a nature to revive
exaggerated apprehensions in me. Sir Esme Howard
(then still Mr. Howard), whose eminent qualities of mind
and character I was able to appreciate
later—reflecting officially the profoundly pacific disposition of the
Asquith-Grey Ministry, did not give way to lugubrious
prophecies nor to considerations which might have put
me on my guard against the Swedes and their present
policy; Mr. Howard was more inclined to ridicule the
agitation of Sven-Hedin and his followers, and did not
see the reflection of a political manoeuvre preconceived
in Berlin. My French colleague, M. Thiebaud, took the
"Russophobe" agitation which had taken possession of
Sweden more tragically. He warned me at some length
against the repetition of faults already committed,
according to him, by Russian representatives, and especially
against any action that might appear suspicious to the
Swedes. I agreed entirely with my colleague. I heard
later that M. Thiebaud had at this period begun
confidential parleyings with his chiefs, in order to prepare
a sort of mediation between Sweden and Russia, from
the President of the Republic himself. M. Poincare was
soon going to Russia and from there he was going to pay
official visits to the three Scandinavian Courts, and on
this occasion he was to make friendly observations about
the " Assanovitch affair," and to bring back to the King
of Sweden reassuring explanations from His Majesty
the Emperor. This idea was adopted ; there was some
good in it, although it exaggerated rather too much the
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