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Home  »  Theodore Roosevelt, the Citizen  »  Page 294

Jacob A. Riis (1849–1914). Theodore Roosevelt, the Citizen. 1904.

Page 294

and, singularly, I remember some of those very men, when their pocket-books were threatened, predicting angrily that “something would happen” if things were not mended. And in that they were right; something would have happened. Perhaps that was a reason why he interfered. However, I shall come back to that yet. But where is there to-day a cloud on the diplomatic horizon because of the “impulsiveness” of the young man in the White House? When were there so cordial relations with the powers before—with England, with France, with Germany that sends the President’s personal friend to represent her here? Does any one imagine William of Germany seeks personal advantage in that? Then he is not as smart as the emperor. For the first time in the memory of diplomats, I imagine, they are able to discuss things, up at the White House, just as they are; yet they don’t take a trick, and they know it.
  Roosevelt is as far as possible from being rash. When people say it I am always reminded of the difference between the Danish word rask and the English rash. Rask means quick, resolute. That is what he is. He arrives