dor was standing at his window, looking out at the German
Embassy, across the street. With him was a member of his diplomatic
household. The two watched what was happening. One by one, the
representatives of various European nations were entering the door of
the German Embassy. "Do you see them?" said the Ambassador's companion;
"they'll all be in there soon. There. That's the last of them." "I
didn't notice the French Ambassador." "Yes, he's gone in, too." "I'm
surprised at that. I'm sorry for that. I didn't think he would be one
of them," said the British ambassador. "Now, I'll tell you what. They'll
all be coming over here in a little while. I want you to wait and be
present." Shortly this prediction was verified. Over from the German
Embassy came the whole company on a visit to the British Ambassador,
that he might add his signature to a document to which they had affixed
theirs. He read it quietly. We may easily imagine its purport, since we
know of the meditated European coalition against us at she time of our
war with Spain. Then the British Ambassador remarked: "I have no orders
from my Government to sign any such document as that. And if I did have,
I should resign my post rather than sign it." A pause: The company fell
silent. "Then what will your Excellency do?" inquired one visitor. "If
you will all do me the honor of coming back to-morrow, I shall have
another document ready which all of us can sign." That is what happened
to the European coalition at this end.

Some few years later, that British Ambassador came to die; and to the
British Embassy repaired Theodore Roosevelt. "Would it be possible for
us to arrange," he said, "a funeral more honored and marked than the
United States has ever accorded to any one not a citizen? I should like
it. And," he suddenly added, shaking his fist at the German Embassy over
the way, "I'd like to grind all their noses in the dirt."

Confronted with the awkward fact that Britain was almost unanimously
with us, from Mr. Balfour down through the British press to the British
people, those nations whose ambassadors had paid so unsuccessful a call
at the British Embassy had to give it up. Their coalition never came
off. Such a thing couldn't come off without England, and England said
No.

Next, Lord Cromer, at Port Said, stretched out the arm of international
law, and laid it upon the Spanish fleet. Belligerents may legally take
coal enough at neutral ports to reach their nea