The Portland daily press., 1898-04-04

cO1NpAnleu MIN. IL Was tUouV oAo'S
O'Clock when we drove up, but the CAP
could not get much further than Broad
Sanctuary, SO dense was the crowd thai
had gathered at ST. Stephens on the
startling news being spread. From tne
high summit of Big Ben the electric light
was streaming westward, showing tne
excited thousands assem- bled there tha5
Parliament was already celebrating upon
the best course to pursue on the outbreak
of hostilities, and as we elbowed our way
through the turbulent concourse war was
on eyeryone's tongue. Men and women
of all classes of society, wildly excited,
with pale scared faces, discussed the
probable course of events; many sang
patriotic songs, the choruses of which
were taken up and shouted Justify. while
here and there, as we proceeded, loud in
vectiyes against the Gar and his French
allies greeted our ears
AT last we reached ST. Stephens Hall,
and passing it's jealousy guarded portals,
hurried forward to the lobby. Here the
scene was OF most exciting character.
Mem ers were standing in small groups,
eagerly discussing the serious and unex-
pected turn affairs had taken, and, in an
swer to our inquiries, we learnt that
quarter of an hour before an official reply
had been given in the House to question
addressed from the Opposition benches,
admitting that, according to the latest
advices from St. Petersburg, there was,
no doubt foundation for the rumor pub
lished by the "Novoe Vremya,' and that
it was very probable that in the course
of an hour or two war would formally
be declared.
tiresome topic was being discussed in
the House, but it was being carried on
without spirit or enthusiasm, all the
mem bers being on tiptoe with expectation
regarding the next telegram from the
enemy's camp. The amazing intelligence
that had spread like wildfire throup hout
the metropolis had brought every member
in town down to the House until the
Lobby became SO thronged that locomo-
tion was difficult. 1 chatted with many
legislators knew, and found all held
ion of England had been planned by
France and Russia. The Cabinet had
been hastily summoned. and was at that
moment celebrating with the Command
er-in-Chief regarding the immediate steps
to be taken for the complete mobilization
of the forces.
One fact had impressed itself upon me
as, accompanied by Beck. bad struggled
through the embarrassing crowd out
side, namely the intense patriotism of the
Volunteers. There were dozens who, on
hearing the news, had at once put on
their uniforms in readiness to bear their
part in the defence of their homes, and
everyw here as they swayed to and fro in
the crowd they were Justify cheered. The
sight of a uniform in those wild moments
was sufficient to send the multitude half
mad with enthusiasm, and in one or two
instances volunteers had been raised
shoulder high in order that all should
unite in giving them ovations.
Within the sombre smOke-b lackened
walls of Parliament 1t was breathless
period of eager waiting. There was no
Chaorino thnpa GhQAn nAtrlOf1Sm.
no outburst of enthusiasm. Some of the
little knots of white halted politicians
condemned the Government numerically
for failing to obtain news of a pending
catastrophe that might have been avoided
by diplomacy, while Others declared that
the action OF the Opposition IN the past
was alone responsible for the present dis
aster. Wherever went I found an opfn-
on, almost unanimous, that England
could not Withstand the blow now threat
ened In that time of wild theories and
wilder apprehension Beck's arguments
and prophetic utterances were listened to
eagerly, until quite crowd stood around
him. Or late be had written one or two
articles on the subject of England's I'M
preparedness for ar, notably one in the
s'Nineteenth Century, that had attract
ed considerable attention, ssand his opin
ions were now listened to and afterwards
discussed, even among men whose names
were household words.
AS stood watching and listening, J
was compelled to admit that during the
short time my friend had beer in Parlia.
ment he had certainly won good opinions
and even among the most level-headed
politicians his views. Notwithstanding
his clustering manner, were regarded a
worthy of serious consideration. l con-
fess to having previously looked upon
him rather as a crank upon this subject
but did SO no longer, now that recog.
nized what weight his arguments carried.
Ito be continued.)