The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-05-17

CAERDAFF AFTER THE COMMANDMENT.
The British ministry was now the
calmest body of men in Europe. The
great opposition storm had died away;
the great war storm had ceased, and the
wisest British statesmen saw the unmis-
taxable path of national policy lying
plain and open before them. There was
no longer time for arguments and strug-
giles with opponents or enemies, internal
or external. There was even no longer
time for the discussion of measures 1t
was the time for the adoption of meas
ure which indicated itself, and which did
not need discussion.
On the afternoon of the day of the
bombardment of Caerdaff, Repeller No.
II, accompanied by her crabs, steamed
for the English channel. Two days
afterward there lay off the coast at
Brighton, with white flag floating high
above her, the old Tallapoosa. now naval
mistress of the world.
Near by lay cable boat, and constant
communication by way of France was
kept up between the officers of the
American syndicate and the repeller. In
a very short time Communications were
opened between the repeller and London.
When this last step became known to
the public of America, almost as much
excited by the recent events as the pub
lie of England, great disturbance arose
in certain political circles. TWAS argued
that the syndicate had no right to nego-
tiate in any way with the government of
England; that it had been empowered to
carry on war, and that if its duties in
this regard had been satisfactorily exc
cuted, it must now retire and allow the
United States government to attend to
its foreign relations.
But the syndicate was firm. 1t had
contracted to bring the war to satisfac-
tory conclusion. When it considered
that this had been done, it would retire
and allow the American government,
with whom the contract had been made,
to decide whether or not it had been
properly performed.
The unmistakable path Of national
policy which had shown itself to the
wisest British statesmen appeared
broader and palmer when the overtures
Of the American war syndicate had been
received by the British government. The
ministry now perceived that the syndi-
cate had not waged war; it had been
simply exhibiting the uselessness of war
as at present waged. Who now could
deny that it would be folly to oppose the
resources of ordinary warfare to those Of
what might be called prohibitive war
fare?
Another idea arose in the minds Of the
wisest British statesmen. If prohibitive
warfare were a good thing for America,
it would be an equally good thing for
England. More than that, it would be s
better thing If only these two countries
possessed the power of waging prohibitive
warfare.
In three days convention of peace
was concluded between Great Britain and
the American syndicate acting for the
United States, its provisions being made
subject to such future treaties and al
iances as the governments Of the two
nations might make with each other. In
six days after the affair at Caerdaf q
committee Of tho American war syndi-
cate was In London, making arrange
ments under the favorable auspices Of
the British government for the formation
Of an Anglo-American syndicate of war.
The Atlantic ocean now sprang into
new life. It seemed impossible to inag-
inc whence had come the multitude Of
vessels which now steamed and sailed
upon its surface. Among these, going
westward, were six crabs, and the spying
armored vessel, once the Tallapoosa,
going home to triumphant reception,
such as had never before been accorded
to any vessel, whether of war or peace.
The blockade OF the Canadian port,
which had been effectively maintained
without inSident, was now raised, and the
syndicate's vessels proceeded to an Amer
can port.
The British ironclad Adamant at the
conclusion of peace was still in tow Of
Crab @, and off the coast Of Florida. A
Vessel was sent down the coast by the
5yndicate to notify Crab @ Of what had
secured, and to order it to tow the Ada
snant to the Bermudas. and there deliver