Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1908 — THE VANISHING FLEETS [ARTICLE]

THE VANISHING FLEETS

By ROY NORTON

J ILLUSTRATED BY A. WEIL _ Th nesn-nf Oafjorrlcbt. 190?, bj Tlm AaeoaUted Suadsy MfsimsM..

CHAPTER I^, The Harness of War. A breath of. summer swept over the land, giving promise of wealth of bloom and prodigality of harvest; but the plow stood idle and rusted In the Waiting fields, the meadows went unshorn, and the crops, In which lay the riches of peace, unplanted. Everywhere was the growing din of anarchy and the stern clangor of war. A people who had never tamely bowed a head beneath a yoke, nor rebelled at Just ruling, found themselves distraught In the whirling current of unreasonable tides which carried them out to they knew not what. A tame yielding of territory over, which their, flag had once flown, an equally passive surrender of Islands which had come to them of their own volition, seeking In the spread of the eagle’s wings the shadows of security, and, last of all, as a crowning climax of .folly, the sending of warships to neutral ports! From east to west, as the oceans run, from the border line of the north to that of the south, there Bwept over the great waiting nation a call to arms. No dam built by mortal man could have stemmed that rising tide of indignation save the one that was erected by the administration In the heurs of its stress. News of It camp unheralded as had all the ominous stories preceding It. Even at the moment when an overthrow of the governing power at Washington seemed Imminent, there flashed across the wires from governor to governor the quick and insistent demand for fighting men. In every armory was heard the resounding clash of rifles. A hundred thou sand men, drilled for the emergencies of a country’s need, sprang to their weapons like tensely strung warriors of old awaiting the pretor’s command to charge. A country, which through days of defeat had seemingly slept, sprang Into the harness of strife, as if electrified by the God of Battles. Simultaneously with the ordering out fit all National Guardsmen and a further call for volunteers, which re ceived Instant response, every railway traversing the country was requisitioned by the war department. Yet, In all this turmoil the destination of this suddenly mobilized and* splendidly powerful army remained a secret. In vain the press of the country and Its most influential citizens demanded knowledge; but not till the day when from all directions swarms of armed men sallied forth, was this Information given. And as If blackened by a scourge of locusts, the Canadas awakened one morning to find that along 3,000 miles of border land were spread a line of soldiers, the most singular line of repulse ever stretched between nations. It was one of excommunication. Not even the commanding officers as they took their stations knew th« whys or wherefores of this most remarkable move, affthough their instructions were of the simplest, and were that under no circumstances were there to be acts of unfriendliness nor, even under provocation, movements of aggression. They were to stand as an insurmountable barrier between the United States and the dominion, prohibiting traffic, passage, and communication, and nothing more. No man might cross the border, and wires, which in days of peace carried from one country to another the news of the day, were cut and torn from their poles as If no further word might ever be transmitted through them.

Nor was this all. Wherever a cable touched on all the outer edges of this great land might be found soldiers In charge. Wireless telegraph stations were abruptly closed, prohibiting the use even of the air Itself. Proclar matlons were issued that Instructions had been given for the perforation of any airships attempting outside communication, and the penalty of instant death was threatened any aeronaut who disobeyed this command. From every seaport vessels of all nations, friendly or unfriendly, were summarily excluded. Protests from captains and from companies were Ignored. The United States was suddenly blockading not only Its own means of communication, but sealing Its ports as well. No message might be carried In or out, and, as If fearing also for Its southern border line, the soldiers of the regular army were placed there. The vessels of the navy which were In the home waters of the Atlantic were put on patrol duty, steaming up and down the eastern coast with the regularity of policemen on their beats. To the world at large the United States of America might never have basp,. The fabled Atlantis of old oould have disappeared no more completely nor been cut off more effectually from Intercourse wKh outside mankind than was the great American nation.

’■> . . , ■ . . . " ZU,. 7—’ . —— -' j V . j' ■ Whatever criticism and surprise had been caused among other powers by .the abandonment of th« Philippines and the Hawaiian islands was outdone by this latest move. Never before In the world’s history had a nation enforced complete isolation upon itself, withdrawing within Its shell as does a turtle when assailed. Hitherto It had been the custom of a people attacked to maintain an outward seeming of uninterrupted commerce and unimpeded communication. No modem government had yet had # the temerity to shut its ports to friendly nations, scorn intercourse with them, and trust to Its own resources for support and maintenance. Protests from friendly powers were unheeded or unavailing, because after a few days there was no possibility of conveying such remonstrance to the officials at Washington. In the capital Itself representatives of foreign nations, bearing of this embargo on the ports, stood upon their rights and demanded either their dismissal or the free and uninterrupted passage of their communications. Some of the more Importunate ones were politely told that they might take their departure at any time they deemed fit; but were given warning that it must be within 48 hours or they would not be permitted to pasß the border line. These discomfited diplomats either hastened to the nearest harbor, embarking upon the last steamer leaving, or chose to remain within the country. The maritime nations of Europe, aghast at what they termed the Insolence of the United States, discussed means of bringing her to book and compelling her to open her roadsteads; but found a lack of unapimlty as to method. Great Britain, Jealous of Germany, but fearing a swift onslaught from the kaiser’s realm, hesitated to take the initiative and thus leave her own coasts exposed to attack. France, with the memory of an , earlier war, remained passive. Russia, | smarting under the recollection of her I Dwn defeat, refused to take any steps which directly or Indirectly might j aid Japan. And the smalfer nations , awaited a leader. | England was placed in-the most peculiar and trying position of all. The last official utterance of the United States to a foreign power had been to 1 her, In the positive assertion that, come what might, she of all nations ! Deed have. 800 fear of being enjbrolled, and that under no circumstances need the apprehend war with America. i

i EagHsji ambassador, who was one of the Ja&t to take timely advantage of his opportunity and seek a temporary residence in Montreal, oabled his country a frank admission . that the policy of the United States I waa completely beyond his comprehension, and that whatever of the situation might he known from personal observation would be explained by his j secretary, Guy Hllller, due at any moment lp London. The ears of Europe were therefore open for such communications as might be Imparted by this young man, who for the moment became of paramount Importance. | Thus it was that HilMer, arriving at the Liverpool docks, found himself the center of all interest. A swarm of newspaper correspondents, more or less distinguished in their profession, sought interviews; but, warned in advance by wireless telegraph, he de elined all conversation. The wharf was black with people, who anxiously craned their necks to catch sight of the man who was expected to elucidate the greatest mystery of the age. A guard of constables formed a hollow square round him and forced their way up the long, tunnel-Uhe shed leading to the train which was to oonvey him to London. When he had gained his seat In a compartment reserved for his use, and the train whirled away put neatlywalled farms, prosperous villages and great cities, he wondered at the strange trend of events which had thrown him so prominently into the foreground. He smiled In Irony as he reviewed his own actual knowledge of the situation, and realized how little he had in the way of Information in comparison with what he was expected to divulge. At Euston station he was escorted to a carriage, and whistled a soft note of surprise as he recognised on the panels the prime minister’s ooat of arms. Plainly he was to be subjected to what lu America be had heard called the “Third Degree.’’ Surreptitious nods were Interchanged by a' crowd of loungers, and such comments as “That's him!” and '"E’s the bloke w*atß goin’ to tell us abaout lti“ floated to him as the footman slammed the door behind, mounted the box, and whipped the team Into a gallop. | He was ushered Into the sacred pre-, clncts of the prime minister’s prlvato chamber, and found awaiting not only that Important person but the foreign secretary, and a lord of the admiralty as well. The ponderously sealed packet from his ambassador wu torn open and read aloud. It contained the following startling statement from his perturbed and Irate superior: *1 have the honor to inform your lordship that I am In a country evidently inhabited by maniacs. I have painstakingly sought a logical explanation for the acts of this government, and frankly admit that I am unable to understand either Its attitude toward his majesty’s government. Its proposed plan of campaign, or what the effect of this war will be upon other nations 1 have been persistently refused any Intimation as to what has taken place or is Intended. In a personal Inter view with hla excel lencs£-the president of the United States, I have been positively informed that hla oountry will under no circumstances permit any demonstration against Great Britain. but that it may beoome assess arr

to suspend intercourse for a time. I cannot tell what la meant by this, not would lie give me further Information.' The attitude of the administration, backed up by congress, to that of sopremie egotism and self-sufficiency, despite the position taken by the people and the press, as shown In new*-' papers which are sent herewith. In view of the uncertainty of the stiuatlon, the enigma presented by tha United States government’s attitude, and the threat that within 48 hours all exchange of communication will be suspended, I deem It wise to suggest; that his majesty hold himself in read!- i ness to make an overpowering naval i demonstration in these or Canadian I waters, if need should arise. I am' sending this by my secretary, who Can answer any questions of a more pertl-! nent nature as well as I could.” | The letter, written in the crabbed; hand of the ambassador, was slowly read aloud, those present straining their hearing that no word might be lost, and at its conclusion they sat dumbfounded. “You were there, I believe,” said the prime minister, slowly swinging back and fQith in his swivel chair, and addressing the secretary, “when the news of the surrender of the Philippines was received?” “Yes, your lordship.” “What excuse had the government to make for such unwarranted action?” “None whatever.” “Do you mean to say that they suffered without protest or defense the surrender of a fortification which cost millions of pounds, was adequately equipped and able to repel successfully, the attack of such a fleet as Japan sent again st it?” “Yes, they even aocepted It oom placently.” , From round the room came murmurs of amazement, while the rustle of newspapers showed the anxiety of those present to glean what informa-, tlon they could be perusal. Losing their phlegmatic air of self possession and casting official dignity to the winds they bombarded Hilller with questions, which in the main he was unable to answer. The voice of the stately lord 1 of the admiralty rose above the others in a sudden, insistent petulant queatlon. “Do you know anything else worth j while?” he asked. “No,” answered Hilller, ”1 have no ! knowledge other than that which I ' have given to you, which in Itself was gathered elsewhere than from an absolutely silent and secretive gov- i eminent.’* . -> , ! The prime minister, as If recognizing their Informant’s pllgtot, Id a | friendly tone of vole* said: "Mr. HU- i ller, I presume you are tired after J Your Journey and would like to rest i before any further discussion of this j subject 1 would suggest that you go j to your chambers and return here tomorrow;" "What sense Is there to his raturning?” came the angry question of the lord of the admiralty, as the secretary bowed himself out of the room. "He doesn’t even know, I presume, . that Japan is already sending every available ship she has against the { western coast of America as fast as 1 steam will carry it." Sending an invading fleet against an apparently passive country to some part of which was the woman be loved 1 This thought reiterated Itself through Guy’s mind as he passed down the corridor and out into the din and movement of the street. Where could she be now, he wondered, and what of her father? Insane, perhaps, and incapable of offering her protection of which she would stand so sadly In need to case of Japanese success. The words of a letter which he carried to his pocket, and which to him was of more importance than the dispatches he delivered, constantly Recurred to him: “It is always within the realms of possibility, when war is on a land, that friends may never meet again. If such should be our case, I pray that you will remember this, even up to the last —1 loved you.” In the dusk of early evening an army of countless men and women hurrying to the trams, the tubes and the buses, swept past him ignorant of his misery. What was war to them to a country thousands of miles across a sea and to which perhaps there was none bound to them by ties of affection? The United States might Isolate Itself by sea and Intrench itself behind cordons of soldiers; but he would go back! Yes, he would find a way to pass all their barriers and gain the side of the woman who merited his protection through her avowed love, and in this, her hour of need, seemed crying out to him across the uttermost spaces of the world, beseeching him to return —only to return I (To be continued.)