The German Ambassador returned a week later and told Mr.
Roosevelt that he had not dared to fiend the message. Upon this the President said that he would order the Admiral to sail within forty-eight hours. "It will be an awful thing for this country," remarked the Gorman. "Yes," replied Mr. Roosevelt, "but it will be a more awful thing for yours." Long before the Stipulated time had elapsed the Ambassador was able to announce that Germany would arbitrate. We pointed out at the time the -grave danger that our Government had heedlessly Incurred by agreeing to act with Germany, and binding ourselves to make no settlement with President Castro unless Germany -also was satisfied. But we did not know then what a narrow escape we had had from being involved, as Germany's partner, in a serious quarrel with our good Mende in America. Mr. Roosevelt's firmness saved the situation, and relieved our Foreign Office from the consequences of one of the worst blunders that it has ever made.
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