Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-02-21
stfashinaton S tanaara
Tic Great War Syndicate.
By FRANK 2. STOCKTON

Author of "EuddeT Grange" Amos Kill
bright" Tie Bee Man OF Orn,' THE
Christmas Wreck" 1.-THE Lady or the
Tiger" "The Late Mrs. Nuil." 1.-THE
uundred;h Man." THE Casting Away
OF Mrs. Lecks ard Mrs. Alcshinc." 1.-THE
Dusantes," etc.
ICoryrighted by-p F Collier. Of Golfers Once
Week. and published by special arrangement
With him through the American Pres. Associl
5cu All rights reserved
The military authorities in charge of
the defenses of the city were rs much
disturbed and amazed by what had hap
pencd as any civilian could possibly be,
but they had no fears for the safety of
the place. for the cnemy's vessels could
not possibly enter, nor even approach,
the har5or. The Notifications on the
heights mounted guns much heavier than
those on the men-otwar, and shots from
these fired from an s'vation might sink
even those under w.iter devils" But,
more than on the for,s, they relied upon
their admirable system of torpedoes and
submarine batteries. With these in po-
sition and ready for action, as they now
were it VS. impossible for IN enemy's
vessel, floating on the water, or under it,
to enter the harbor without certain de.
struction.
Bulletins to this effect were posted in
the city, and somewhat allayed the popu-
lar anxiety, although many people who
werc fearful Of what might happen next,
IA by the evening trains for the interior
That night the news of this extraordinary
affair was cabled to Europe, :nd thence
back to the United States, and all over
the world. In many quarters the ac-
count was disbelieved, and in no quarter
was it thoroughly understood, for it
must be borne in mind that the methods
Of operation employed by the crabs were
disabled vessels. But everywhere there
was tho greatest desire to know what
would be done next.
1t was the general opinion that the two
armored vessels were merely tenders
to the submerged machines, which had
done the mischief. Having fired no guns.
nor taken any active part in the combat,
there was every reason to believe that
they were intended merely as bomb proof
store ships for their formidable consorts
AS these submerged vessels could not at
tack a town, nor reduce Notifications,
but could exercise their power only
against vessels afloat, It was plain enough
to see that the object of the American
syndicate was to blockade the port.
That they would be able to maintain the
blockade when the full power of the
British navy should be brought to bear
upon them was generally doubted, though
it was conceded in the most wrathful
circles that until the situation should be
altered, it would be unwisc to risk valu-
able war vessels in encounters with the
diabolical sea monsters Tow lying off the
port.
In the New York Office of the syndi.
cate there was great satisfaction. The
news received was incorrect and imper-
feet. but it was evident that. SO far.
everything had gone well.
About 0 O'Clock the next morning Re
peller No. 1. with her consort half mile
astern. and preceded by the two crabs,
one on either bow. approached to within
two miles of the harbor mouth. The
crabs, quarter of a mile ahead of the
repeller. movedslowly, for between them