He told the German Ambassador, quietly and without bluster, that
unless the Kaiser agreed to arbitrate his quarrel with Venezuela,
and unless he agreed within a short time, ten days or less,
Admiral Dewey would be ordered to Venezuela to protect it against
a German attack. The German ambassador said that, of course, as
the All Highest Kaiser had refused once before to arbitrate, there
could be nothing done about it. All Highests do not arbitrate.
People simply have to step aside.
President Roosevelt informed the German Ambassador that this meant
war. A few days later when the German Ambassador was again at the
White House, the President asked if the Kaiser had changed his
mind. The Ambassador seemed to think that it was a joke. The
Kaiser change his mind at the bidding of a Yankee President! It
was almost funny!
"All right," said President Roosevelt, "I can change my mind.
Admiral Dewey will not even wait until Tuesday to start for
Venezuela. He will go on Monday. If you are cabling to Berlin,
please tell them that."
The pompous Ambassador was much flustered. He hurried away, but
returned in about a day and a half, still out of breath.
"Mr. President," he said, "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has
agreed to arbitrate with Venezuela."
So there was no delay, no long and distressing argument; and there
was no war. The President could do this because he knew his
countrymen; he knew that they were not cowards.
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