The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-07
Chapter XIII.-Continusd.


When 1 had read this astounding dis
patch, congratulating myself that, after
all, our country need not fear foreign
foe, I sat listening to the discussion be-
tween the two great statesmen. The
Premier advocated an immediate state
ment in the House in order to ,reassure
the public, but ord..Warnham, with that
love of secrecy apparent in all hiseactlons,
personal or political, was strenuously OPP
posed to such o course.
'sLet us wait until tomorrow, ne sald.
"Tonight the papers will publish special
&c itlons containing the interview we have
lust given the Press representative, ana
this certainly ought to calm the crowd
outside" He spoke with sheer OF con-
tempt of the multitude OF excited cltlzens
in fear of their lives and property.
"But they are patriots, many OF them,
Warnhaln - the Premier protested.
"Who have placed us in power but that
public?"
patiently. ''You go in for popularity
with the masses l don't. I've never
s sa popular, not even in my own De-
nartment. But 1 can't help it, do my
duty, and perhaps it is my very unpopu-
iarity that has secured me reputation as
head OF, Foreign Affairs. -
cit may be, Warnham. 1t may be, =
said the Premier slowly. But you are
more popular than you imagine"
ssIn the Press, yes. These modern Jour-
mails will lick the boots of anyb body in
mower. 1t is not as it used to be in the
old days. when you and Ireceiyed sound
rating nearly every morning In line
Times.
II do not allude to the Press, but con-
tend that you are popular with the public.
vo, xoo,,ld increase that nOnularltV by
allowing a statement to be made to-
Let them wait until the morning." he
growled 81 haven't the slightest wish
to be regarded as the peoples saviour.
An immediate statement Will appear zoo
much like bid for cheap notoriety."
SIS it not your duty to the people to
allay their apprehensions of q coming
war;" =,
Fit is my duty to her Majesty alone. :"
he exclaimed, suddenly remembering that
he had forgotten to dispatch the reassur-
ing news to Osborne, and turning. ne
thereupon dictated to me telegram
which I quickly reduced to cipher
ssThen you decline to allow any expla-
nation to be given" said the Premier, in
a tone of reproach, stroking his full beard
thoughtfully. "You would go home COM
fortably to bed and allow these thousands
of half. scared citizens to remain IN Iear
why not?'' no laughed. II tell you
am unpopular. therefore little secrecy
more or less does not matter. Ii FOR
eign Minister allowed the Press and pub
lie to know all his doings how could
diplomacy be conducted? The first ele-
ment of success in dealing with foreign
affairs is to preserve silence, and not auoW
ones self to be drawn
rBut in this instance silence is quite
unnecessary, exclaimed the Prime MIN
lister, growing impatient at the dogged
persistence of his eccentric colleague.
whose delight was to be designated as
harsh. unrelenting, and ascetlc. In
private life Lord Warnham lived almost
alone in his great, gloomy mansion,
scarcely seen by any other person save MS
valet, tho telegraph clerk and myself.
Some said that a strange romance IN his
youth had soured him, causing him to
become misanthTopic and eccentric; but
it was always my opinion that the blow
fell upon him years ago; the early death
of his young and beautiful wife, whom
he loved intensely, was responsible for
his slayish devotion to dutv, hiss eccen-
tricity, and the cool cynicism with which
he regarded everybody, from his Sovereign
to his secretary. AS Foreign Minister
every Government in Europe admired,
yet feared him. He was, without doubt,
the most shrewd and clever statesman the
present century had known.
81 shall preserve silence until tomor-
row. he said decisive at last. -
'iIf Her Majesty were consulted, she
would, I feel sure. advocate an immediate
declaration of the exact position OF
affairs, - Lord Maybury said. "Sbe has
the welfare of her people at heart. Re
member, both you and are her ser
wants %
sOf course, of COURSE he said, COM
mencing to pace the room slowly "Well,
he added, after pause, suppose we
made statement in the Commons to-
night, and tomorrow we find the outlook