Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 9 August 1890 — Page 5

'\\V.

FRANK \L STOCKTON.

In the spring of a certain year, not far from tlio closoof the Nineteenth century, when the political relations between the United States and Groat Britain became 60 strained that careful observers on both sides of the Atlantic were forced to the belief that a serious break in these relations might bo looked for at any time, the fishing schooner Eliza Drum sailed from a port in Maine for the banks of Newfoundland.

It was in this year that a new system of protection for American fishing vessels had been adopted in Washington. Every.lleet of these vessels was accompanied by one or more United States cruisers, which remained on tho fishing grounds, not only for the purpose of warning unwary American craft wlic might approach too near tho three mile limit, but also to overlook tho action of tho British naval vessels on the coast, and to interfere, at least by protest, with such seizures of American fishing boats as might appear to be unjust. In the opinion of all persons of sober judgment there was nothing in tho condition of affairs at this timo so dangerous to the peace of tho two countries as tho presence of theso American cruisers in the fishing waters.

Tho Eliza Drum was late in her arrival on the fishing grounds, and having, under orders from Washington, reported to tho commander of tho Lennehaha, the United States vessel in charge at that place, her captain and crew went vigorously to work to mako up for lost time. They worked so vigorously and with eyes 60 6ingie to tho catching of fish, that on tho morning of tho day after their arrival they were hauling up cod at a point which, according to the nationality of tho calculator, might be two and three-quarters or three and onequarter miles from tho Canadian coast.

In consequence of this inattention to tho apparent extent of the marine mile tho Eliza Drum, a littlo before noon, was overhauled and seized by tho British cruiser Dog Star. A few miles away tho Lennehaha had perceived the dangerous position of tho Eliza Drum, and had started toward her to warn her to take a less doubtful position. But beforo she arrived tho capture had talicn place. When ho reached the spot where tho Eliza Drum had been fishing the commander of tho Lennehaha made an observation of tho distanco from the shore, and calculated it to bo more thau three miles. When he sent an officer in a boat to tho Dog Star to state tho result of his computations tho captain of tho British vessel replied that ho was satisfied the distance was less than three miles, and liat he was now about tc take tho Eliza Drum into port.

On receiving this information, the commander of tho Lennehaha steamed closer to tho Dog Star and informed her captain by means of a speaking trumpet, that if lie took tho Eliza Drum into a Canadian port, he would first have tc sail over his ship. To this tho captain of the Dog Star replied that ho did not in tho least object to sail over the Lennehaha, and proceeded to put a prizo crew on board the fishing vessel.

At this juncture the captain of the Eliza Drum ra:i up a largo American flag iii five minutes afterward tho captain of tho prize crew hauled it down in less than ten minutes after this the Lennehaha and the Dog Star were blazing at each other with their bow guns. The spark lia3 been struck.

Tho contest was not a long one. The Dog Star was of much greater tonnage and heavier annament than her antagonist, and early in tho afternoon she steamed for St. Johns, taking with her as prizes both tho Eli m. Drum and the Lennehaha.

All that night, at every point in the United States which was reached by telegraph, there burned a smothered fire and tho next morning, when the regular and extra editions of tho newspapers were poured out upon tho land, tho fire burst into a roaring blaze. From lakes to gulf, from ocean to ocean, on mountain and plain, in city and prairie, it roared and blazed. Parties, sections, politics were all forgotten. Every American formed part of an electric system the same fire flashed into every soul. Nc matter what might be thought on the morrow, or in the coming days which might bring better understanding, this day the unreasoning fire blazed nnd roared.

With morning newspapers in their hands men rushed from tho breakfast tables into the streets to meet their fellow men. What was it that they should do?

Detailed accounts of the affair came rapidly, but there was notliing in them to quiet tho national indignation. The American flag had been hauled down by

THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE.

BY FRANK It. STOCKTON,

AUTHOR OF—

"RCDDER GRANGE "AMOS EILBMGIIT—His Ansicrrmors EXTFKIT-NCES "THE UEEMA.X OF OKN "THE CHRISTMAS WRECK "TIIK LADY OK "THE TIGKK "THE LATE MRS. NULL "THE HUNDREDTH .VAN:"' "THE CAST­

ING AWAY OF MRS. I.ECKS AND JIns. ALESHINE "THE DUSANTES:" ETC., ETC.

Copyrighted by P. F. Collier, of "Collier's Once a Week," and published by special arrangement with him through the American Press Association. All rights reserved.

W

Englishmen, an American naval vessel had been fired into and captured that was enough! No matter whether tho Eliza Drum was witliin tho three jjiilO limit or not! No matter which vessel fired first! If it wero tho Lennehaha, tho moro honor to her sho ought to havo dono it! From platform, pulpit, stump and editorial offico came ono vehement, passionato 6hout directed toward Washington.

Congress was in session, and in its halls tho fire roared louder and blazed higher than on laountain or plain, iu city or prairie. No member of tho government, from president to page, ventured to oppose the tempestuous demands of tho people. Tho day for argument upon tho exciting question had leen a long and weary one, and it had gono bj. In less than a week tho great shout of tho people was answered by a declaration of war against Great Britain.

When this had been dono thoso who demanded war breathed easier, but thoso who must direct tl*e war breathed harder.

It was indeed a time for hard breathing, but the great mass of tho people perceived no reason why this should be. Money there was in vast abundance in every stato well drilled men by thousands stood ready for tho word to march, and tho military experience and knowledge given by a great ir was yet strong upon tho nation.

To tho people at largo tho plan of the war appeared a very obvious and a very simple one, Canada had given tho offense, Canada should be mado to pay the penalty. In a veiy short timo 100,000, 200,000, 500,000 men, if necessary, could bo mado ready for tho invasion of Canada. From platform, pulpit, stump and editorial office camo tho cry: "On to Canada!"

At tho seat of government, however, tho plan of tho war did not appear so obvious, so simple. Throwing a great army into Canada was all well enough, and that army would probably do well enough. But tho question which produced hard breathing in the executive branch of the government was the immediate protection of tho sea coast—Atlantic, Gulf, and even Pacific.

In a storm of national indignation war had been declared against a power which at this period of her history had brought up her naval forces to a point double in strength to that of any other country in tho world. And this war had been declared by a nation wliich, comparatively speaking, possessed no naval strength at all

For some years tho United states navy had been steadily improving, but this improvement was not sufficient to make it worth}' of rclianco at tin's crisis. As has been said, there was money enough, and every ship yard in tho country could bo set to work to build ironclad men-of-war, but it takes a long time to build sliips, and England's navy was afloat. It was the British keel that America had to fear.

By means of tho continental cables it was known that many of tho largest mail vessels of the British transatlantic lines, which had been withdrawn upon the declaration of war, were preparing in British ports to transport troops to Canada. It was not impossible that these great steamers might land an army in Canada beforo an American army could bo organized and marched to that province. It might bo that tho United States would be forced to defend her borders, instead of invading those of tho enemy.

In every fort and navy yard all was activity tho hammering of iron went on by day and by night, but what was to be dono when tho great ironclads of England liammered upon our defenses? llow long would it bo beforo tho American flag would bo seen no moro upon tho high seas?

It is not surprising that tho government found its position one of perilous responsibility. A wrathful nation expected of it moro tlian it could perforin.

All over the country, however, there wero thoughtful men, not connected with the government, who saw the perilous features of tho situation, and day by day theso grew less afraid of being considered traitors and moro willing to declare their convictions of the country's danger. Despite tho continuanco of tho national enthusiasm, doubts, perplexities and fears began to show themselves.

In tho states bordering upon Canada a reactionary feeling becamo evident. Unless tho United States navy could prevent England from rapidly pouring into Canada, not only her own troops, but perhaps those of allied nations, these northern states might becoino the scene of warfare,- and whatever tho issue of the contest, their lands might be ravished, their people suil'er.

From many quarters urgent demands wero now pressed upon the government. From the interior there were clamors for troops to bo massed on the northern frontier, and from tho seaboard citj.cs there came a cry for ships that wero worthy to bo called men-of-war ships to defend the harbors and bays 'ships to repel an invasion by sea. Suggestions wero innumerable. Tliero was no time to build, it was urged tho government could call upon friendly nations. But wiso men smiled sadly at these suggestions it was difficult to find a nation desirous of a war with England.

In tho midst of the enthusiasms, tho fears and tho suggestions, camo reports of the capture of American merchantmen by fast British cruisers. Theso rc-

tw,

pons mado the American people moro furious, tho American government moro anxious.

Almost from tho beginning of this period of national turmoil, a party of gentlemen met daily hi ono of tho largo rooms in a hotel in New York. At first thoro wero eleven of theso men, all from the-great Atlantic cities, but their number increased by arrivals from other parts of the country, until at last they numbered twenty-tlirec. Theso gentlemen wero all great capitalists, niid accustomed to occupying themselves with great enterprises. By day and by night they met together with closed doors, until thev had matured tho scliemo which they had been considering. As soon as this work was dono, a committeo was Bent to Washington, to submit a plan to tho government.

These twentyJthrco men had foJrmed themselves into a syndicate, with tho I object of faking entire chargo of tho war between tho United States and Great Britain. I

This proposition was an nstoartdlng ono, but the government was obliged to treat it with respectful consideration. Tho men who offered it wero a power in tho land, a power which no government could afford to disregard.

The plan of tho syndieato was comprehensive, direct :md simple. It offered to nssumo tho entire control and cxpenso of the war, and to effect a satisfactory peace within ono year. As a guarantee that tlus contract would bo properly performed, an Immenso sum of money would bo deposited in tho treasury at Washington. Should tho syndicate be unsuccessful this sum would bo forfeited, and it would receive no pay for anything it had done.

Tho sum to bo paid by the government to tho syndicate, should it bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion, would depend upon the duration of hostilities. That is to say, that as the shorter the duration of tho war, tho greater would bo tho benefit to the country, therefore, tho larger must be the pay to the syndicate. According to the proposed contract, tho syndicate would recei%*e, if tho war should continuo for a year, one quarter the sum stipulated to be paid if pcaco should be declared in tlireo montlis.

1

If at any timo during tho conduct of the war by the syndicate an American seaIort should be taken by tho enemy, or a British forco landed on any point of the seacoast, tho contract should bo considered at an end, and security and payment forfeited. If any point on the northern boundary of tho United States should be taken and occupied by the enemy, §1,000,000 of tho deposited security should bo forfeited for every such occupation, but tho contract should continue.

It was stipulated that tho land and naval forces of the United States should remain under the entire control of the government, but should be maintained as a defensivo force

and not brought

into action unleat any failure on the part of tho syndicate should render such action necessary.

Tho 6tate of feeling in governmental circles, and tho evidences of alarm and distrust which were becoming apparent in congress and among the people, exerted an important influenco in favor of the syndicate. Tho government caught at its proposition, not as if it wero a straw but as if it were a lifo raft. Tho men who offered to relieve tho executive departments of their perilous responsibilities wero men of great ability, prominent positions, and vast resources, whoso vast enterprises had already mado them known nil over tho globe. Such men wero not likely to jeopardize their reputations and fortunes in a case liko this, unless they luul well founded reasons for believing that they would bo successful. Even tho largest amount stipulated to bo paid them in case of success would be less than tho ordinary estimates for the military and naval operations which hail been anticipated and in caso of failure, tho amount forfeited would go far to repair tho losses which might be sustained by tho citizens of tho various states.

At all events, should tho syndicate bo allowed to tal:o immediate control of tho war, thoro would be time to put the army and navy, especially tho latter, in better condition to carry on the contest in case of the failure of tho syndicate. Organization and construction might still go on. and, should it bo necessary, tho army and navy could step into the contest fresh and well prepared.

All branches of tho government united in accepting the offer of tho syndicate. The contract was signed, and the world waited to seo what would happen next.

The influence wliicli for years had been exerted by the interests controlled by tlie men composing the syndicate had its effect in producing a popular confidence in the power of tho members of the syndicate to conduct a war as successfully as they had conducted other gigantic enterprises. Therefore, although predictions of disaster came from many quarters, tho American public appeared willing to wait with but moderate impatience for tho result of this novel undertaking.

Tho government now proceeded to mass troops at important points on the northern frontier forts were supplied with men and armaments all coast defenses wero put in tho best possible condition the navy was stationed at important ports, and work at tho ship yards went oa. But, without reference to all this, the work of the syndicate immediately began.

Tliis body of men were of various politics and of various pursuits in life. But politics were no more regarded in the work they had undertaken than they would have been in the purchase of land or of railroad iron. No manifestoes of motives and intentions were issued to the public. Tho syndicate simply went to work. There could Ixi no doubt that early success would be a direct profit to it, but tliero could also bo no doubt that its success would bo a vast benefit and profit, not only to tho business enterprises in which theso men were severally engaged, but to tho business of tho whole country. To savo tho United States from a dragging wur, and to savo themselves lrom the effects of it, wero tho prompting motives for tlio^ formation of the syndicate.

Without hesitation, the syndieato determined that tho war in which it was about to engage should lx ono of defenso by means of offense. Such a war must necessarily bo quick and effective and with all tho forco of their fortunes, their minds and their bodies, its members went to work to wage this war quickly and effectively.

All known inventions and improvements in the art of war had liecn thoroughly considered by tho syndicate and by tho eminent specialists whom it had enlisted in its service. Certain recently perfected engines of war, novel in nature, were the exclusive property of tlio syndicate. It was known or Bttrmised in certain quarters that the syndicate had secured possession of important warliko inventions, but what they .were and how they acted was a secret carefully guarded and protected.

Tho first step of tho syndicate was to purcliaso front tho United States govern? inent ton war vessels. Theso wcr6 of medium size and in good condition, but they wero of an old fashioned typo, anil it had not been considered expedient to put them in commission. This action caused surpriso and disappointment in many quarters. It luul boon supposed that tho syndicate, through its agents, scattered all over tho world, would immediately acquire, by purchase or lease, a fleet of fine ironclads culled from various maritime lowers. But the syndicate having no intention of involving, or attempting to involve, other countries in this quarrel, paid no attention to public opinion, and went to work in its own way.

Its vessels, eight of which wero on tho Atlantic coast and two on the Pacific, wero rapidly prepared for tho peculiar servico in which they wero to bo engaged. Tho resources of the syndieato were great, and hi a very short time several of their vessels, already heavily plated with steel, wero furnished with an additional outsido armor, formed of strips of elastic steel, each reaching from tho gunwales nearly to tlio surfaco of tho water. Theso strips, about a foot wide, and placed an inch or two apart, wero each backed by several powerful air buffers, so that a ball striking ono or moro of them would bo deprived of much of its momentum. Tho experiments upon tho steel spring and buffers adopted by tho syndicate showed that tho force of the heaviest cannonading was almost deadened by tho powerful elasticity of this armor.

WATFA

SECTIONAL VIEW OP SIDE OP EEPELLEIi NO. 1. A, spring tempered bars: D, air buffers C,lron dec! D, teak lining: li. teak braces.

The' armament of each vessel consisted of but ono gun, of largo caliber, placed on tho forward deck, and protected by a bomb proof covering. Each vessel was manned by a captain and crew from tho merchant service, from whom no warlike duties wero expected. Tho fighting operations wero in cliargo of a small body of men, composed of two or throo scientific specialists and somo practical gunners and their assistants. A few bomb proof canopies and a curved stocl deck completed tho defenses of tho vessel.

Besides equipping this littlo navy, tho syndicate sot about the construction of certain sea going vessels of an extraordinary kind. So great wero tho facilities at its command, and so thorough and complete its methods, that ten or a dozen shipyards and foundries were set to -work simultaneously to build ono of these ships. In a inarvelously short timo tho syndicate possessed several of them ready for action.

Theso vessels becamo technically known as "crabs." They wero not large, and tlio only part of them which projected abovo tho water, was tho middle of an elliptical deck, slightly convex, and heavily mailed with ribs of steei. Theso vessels wero fitted with electric engines of extraordinary power, and wero capable of great spoed. At their bows, fully protected by the overhanging deck, was the machinery by which their peculiar work was to bo accomplished. Tho syndicate intended to confino itself to marino operations, and for tho present it was contented with theso two classes of vessels.

MM- [TO UK CONTINCEI).]

KIRK'S

JWERICAN ly

SOAP

& *V

IEW PENSION LAW.

THOUSANDS NOW ENTITLED WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ENTITLED. Address for forms for application and fall intonnatlon-

WM. W. DUDLEY. LATK COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS. Attorney ut I.nw, WuHliliiKtoiJi

1)*C•

IJlcutlyn tiiia i'uuer.l

CASTOR IA

Lot tlio (ilrlg Go.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., August 0.—Justice Alford adopted lioroio measures In tho case ol Minnie Wallace and Mamia Grant Tuesday. Tho girls acted as detectives for tho Law and Order League, and succeeded in securing hall a hundred indictments against sa-loon-keepers. When it becamo known that they bad caused the indictments, J* saloon-keeper mado aflidavits againsl'' them and both were arrested on a chargc of perjury. Tho caso was called foi trial Tuesday. Tho prosocutor had his witnesses on hand and tho girls said they were ready for trial, bul tho court said that ho had already docidod tho caso and the warrants wero dismissed. The prosecutor pn tested against tho proceeding, but the court answered that ho was satisfied that tho prosecution was instituted foi revenge and lie did not propose to try the defendants on a trumped up chargo.

Kxplrtiil In Awful Agony.

FOKT WAYNK, Ind.. Aug. 5.—An old German farmer named Herman ltulii, who has occupied a small farm near Bloomingdalo, a suburb of this city, died Monday morning in horriblo agony. Smr.o timo ago ho was driving a horse when tho animal coughed and blew tho expectoration into tho face of its driver. Last week Kulii's faco becamo literally encrusted with small pimples and theso spread over his body until ho eventually becamo amass of corrupting soros. Medical scionoo was of no avail. Dr. Janson, a local physician, says that death was duo to blood poisoning caused by tho obnoxious matter from tho horse becoming absorbed in tho man's system. It is supposed that tho horso was suffering from glanders.

A Family Jewel.

Dr. David Kennedy, of Kondout. N. Y., the

fa-nous

for Infants and Children,

"CMtorlate BO WOTL adapted to children that I CMtorU enres Colic. OMMUtMiUon, rocommend it oa superior to «uiy proscription I Soiur Stomach, Diarrhcna, KruotiUon. known to me." n. A. Ajjcnmi, M. D., Kills Worms, tfives sleep, uui promotes dl111 So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. Y. WltEouttojurioua medication.

racf

surgeon and physicinn, lias

sent us a copy of nis book. "How to Cure Kidney, Liver and Blood Disorders." Jt is a work which should be read in every homo, for the value of medical lessons alone. It, contains also many life illustrations and two fascinating stories from the widely known author, "Ned Huntline." Anyone sending their address with name of this paper to Dr. Kennedy, will receive the Hook free by mail.

Removal.

Harter Dartor havo removed their real estate, loan and insurance oflioe to Harter's block 21dJ, onst Main btreet, over Myers & Oharni's Now York store. liocklen-H yvruicu Malvo.

The boat salve In the world for Outs, Bruises, Bores, Ulcers, Salt Khoum, Fever Soros, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, corns, and all skin eruptions and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction, or mon»y refunded. Price 25 cents a box, For sale at Nye & Oo. drugstore.

No doctor bill presented to tliefam'lies who use Simmon's Liver Iiegulator.

Tim CENTAUR COMPANY, 77 Murray Street, N. T.

Columbus Kuiggy Company

THE BEST GOODS MADE.

The Canfon and Other Good Makes. Call and Examine Them.

Tinsley & Martin

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a

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Headache, yot Carter's Littlo Ltvor Plllfl art eaually valuablo In Constipation, curing nmlpravontlng thisnnnoyinacomplaint,whllo thoy al«» corroctallcllaordorBortliOBtomiicb^tlmulntotha livor and rogulato tlio bo wola. Evoa if thoy onlg

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ACHE

flu tho bono of somnnyllvoa that bnrolawbora we make our great boaut. Our pills euro it whila (othors do not. I Carter's Little Livor Pills aro very small onl very easy to take. Ono or two pills mako a doso. Thoy are strictly vogctablo and do not grtpo or purRo, but by their gentlo action plouso all who Uso thorn. In vialsat2&conts flvofortl. Sold Iiy druggistsoverywhoro, or aout by mail. ^CARTER MEDICINE CO.. New York:

SMALL PILL. SMALL DOSE. SMALL PRICE

To Those Interested. Hustings. .Mich., April !!2, 1889.

Ithrumiittc. (\i„ .hiclixmi, A//•/ Hi-.* is: This is to certify that I had bocn troubled with rheumatism in all its forms for the past twelve years, and was conlincd to my bed at periods Iron three to six months at a time, and I could (ret about, only by the aid of crutches. I employed several first class physicians ol this city, none of whom effected a cure or irave permanent relief even.

About two years a^-o was induced to try Ilibbard's Kheumauc Syrup, and after talcing several bottles I experienced relief, and now consider myself cured. I unhesit tatingly recommend this medicine for rheumatism. I know what it has done for me. what physicians could not do—cured mo of rlieinatism. MIIS. H. K'I:NI-II:I,D. 1 certify the above statement.

KUKUIJ. Hr..\TU, Druggists.

Ask vour druggists for it..

OLD O

A. W, PERKINS, A I O N E E

Stop at Berry's Low-Priced Grocery

AND GET riUCES ON

Sugars,T eas,Coflees,Ec.

A fresh lot a Canned Goods just received also, a^ choice lot of sm oked Meats at rock-bottom prices.

•W.B. Berry, corner Mainland Walnut Streets

111 ry public sales on reasonable terms. aveonlers with Joe Tn.vlor, east Main street, or see me in person lielore having bills struck to avoid conflict. In dates. 4s Sales of all kinds made anywhere in the state.

Ilestol reference, sat it-tact ion guaranteed. Charges to suit tlie times, ami all corresponnee receive proinpi attention

Address me at Crawfonlsvllle, Ind.