The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-06
Chapter XIII
A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS.

tan amazing developement-most
amazing!' the Foreign Minister cried,
unusually excited.
"fWhat is the best course2' asked the
head of the Government
"There is but one, - his colleague au-
swered. 81 shall wire to st. petersburg
at once and await confirmation.
'sThe situation is becoming absolutely
bewildering, observed the Premier.
lit may be best, I think, to convene
another meeting of the Cabinet.
Lord Warnham, with that Involuntary
canton that no had developed during
long years of office as Minister OF Foreign
Affairs. at once dismissed Frank lLaWley,
hut allowed me to remain. AS his con-
fidentiai secretary had been present on
many occasions when delicate matters OF
Diplomacy had been adjusted and plans
arranged which, if divulged, would have
causei an upheayal throughout Europe.
stNo, 1 don't think another Council Is
necessary at least not to night, answered
Lord Warnham when the cosmopolitan
messenger had closed the door behind him.
ssBut the whole thing is at present a
mystery,' said the prime minister, stand
ing astride with his broad back to the
sfExactly. We must have news from
the Embassy in ST.. Petersburg before
long. Until then, 1 think we should be
hut harkr' exclaimed the Premier,
suite calmly, and as we three all listened
we could hear the dull roar of the crowd
mept outside was intense, and the eager
multitude increased each moment.
taTbey are clamouring for news. 1t is,
think time that another statement
should be made in the House"
GAS you wish,'' Lord Warnham. an
swered with ill-grace. 1t was part OF his
creed 70 tell the public absolutely moth n
ing. The Premier was for publicity; he
for secrecy always.
tRut whatever. statement is made re-
asrding the receipt Of intelligence It can
nat compromise ur5spositlon a6 81. refers
burg the Marquis argued.
tVery yell. Let the Statement be
made. But, personally, cannot see
what we can say at present. ~
nublic that we are endeavoring to read
lust diplomatic negotiations. Already
we are being bounded down on all sides
NV Wild haired agibatore as having been
asleep. Let us show our opponent that
we are now fully alive to Epglano's
peril >, ,.,ahad tbe Foraian
Minister. ssIt Is always my opinion that
the less the public know the easier 1t IS
for us to carry on the business of the
oountry. The irresponsible journals are
psaIly the cause of nine-tenths OF Eour
diplomatic ruptures.
aBut the Press assist us in many ways,
and If you are averse 70 stauemen ~ ~
the House why not make one to .Ihe
Times. or to q news gency? Perhaps
the latterscourse would besbest. for 1t will
re-establish public confidence
lssBut that will not be official" Lord
Warnham demurFed.
IT'S the dispatch from Paris very re-
markable?"I asked, unable to any longer
bear their tantalizing conversation, so
anxious was to ascertain the latest de-
velopment of this conspiracy against our
Tread it for yourself" Lord Warnham
answered, glancfng at the Premier to as
certain whether this course received MS
Appropriation, and finding that it did he
handed me the dispatch, =, Tnlcn 1ouno a
aFrora Marquis of Worthorpe, Paris.
to EarI If Warnhg1n, Her Majesty's Prin-
cipal Secretary Of State foTss Foreign Affairs
MY lord. In further continuation OF my
dispatch Oh this morning I have the honor
to report to your lordship that the war
preparations actively commenced mere on
receipt OF a telegram from st. petersburg
foop7 of which was enclosed in my last
disnstchl have, owing to later telegram
from Rnssia, been entirely stopped. The
orders Fop mobilization have everywhere
been onuntermanded. According to a
statement Just made to me by our secret
agent ii the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs,
She French Government have today re-
cefyed word that the Cars declaration OF
war will not. for some unexplained reas-
on. be published. send this by special
messenger in the hope that 1t will reach
your Ioruship this evening. Worthorpe- "
tsThis is remar kablei" I cried. sit ap-
pears as If Russia has already repented. -
ant the Premier and his colleague, at
HAT moment in consultation regarding
the steps to be taken should this astound-
! ing and re-assIlring news prove correct,
did not notice my remark. Presently,
however. the Prime Minister, turning to
me asked
Are any of the reporters your personal
friends, Deedesg
siYeB' [ know several"
s'To whom shall we make our state
nznts,' he INQUIRED ''We want it spread
throughout the country.
an that case l should suggest Mr..
Johns, of the agency that supplies the
club tapes and newspapers.
'sIhen send for him."
At once I went TO the door and de-
spatched the messenger waiting outside
to find that well-known figure of the Re
porters' Gallery, who makes ib his boast
that for years without break he had sat
through every sitting OF the House of
Commons, and whose friends have q
Legend that he can ENJOY sleep in his
"box' over the Speakers chair and
awake at the very moment any question
of public Interest arises. Ten minutes
had eiapsedsswhen. the chosen representa-
tive Of The Press entered, hot and breath
less, bowling to their lordships. He was
spare. dark baired, with sharp aquiline
features, ga breadth of forehead that denot-
ed considerable learning, pointed dark
brown beard, and pair of sharp, pene-
trating eyes. He spoke with broad
6ogt1h accent, his sa1low face betraying
signs of considerable excitement.
t'I desire, Mr.. Johns, to make state
ment to the Press, and have sent for you
with that object,'' exclaimed the Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs, glancing up at
him.
0With pleasure, my lord" exclaimed
the reporter, taking from his pocket a
pencil and few loose sheets of "copy
parer. - "I'm quite ready"
Then. as Lord Warnham dictated his
massage to the public the representative
OF tie news agency took it down in a
ser;es OF rapid hieroglyphics. The words
Minister Uttered were as follows:
81 @ 0.i 10 allay undue public alarm