We believe this to be in essence a perfectly true
statement of what occurred, but, of course, the diplomatic forms were most strictly observed. All that actually happened was that the question was unofficially raised whether it would not be better in the interests of both parties to prevent war breaking out by a joint intervention of the European Powers. Long before the matter took any more definite shape, however, it was found that Britian not only did not favour the notion of joint action, but had politely made it quite clear where she and her Fleet would be if joint action were attempted. Then the question whether "it would not be in the interest of both parties, &13., &c., &c.," gently faded away, and now if you ask a Russian or a French or a German diplomatist, he will swear he never even heard of such a preposterous proposition as that for the coercing of America,—which in the literal sense of the words will be quite true.
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