The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
Ill

the war with MARS.
Ill.
The day appointed for the assembling
OF the nations in Washington opened
bright and beautiful. Arrangements had
been made for the reception OF the disun-
euished guests at the Capitol. No time
was 10 be wasted. aud. having assembled
in the Senate Chamber, the business that
had called them together was 10 be imme-
diately begun. The scene on Pennsylvania
avenue when the procession OF digna-
taries and royalties passed up toward
the Capitol, was one never TO be Tor
gotten. Bands were playing. magnificent
equipag es flashed In the morning sunlight,
the flags OF every nation on the earth
futtered In the breeze. Queen Victoria
wish the Prince Of Wales escorting her,
and riding In an open carriage, was greet
cd with rosrs OF cheers; the Emperor
William. following In another carriage
with Empress Victoria at his side con-
descended 10 bow and smile In response
10 the greetings OF a free people. Each OF
the other monarchs was received in
slmilar manner.
The crowd apparently havily knew az
FIRST how TO receive the Sultan or turkey,
but the universal good feeling was IN MS
favor. and finally rounds Of hand clapping
and cheers greeted his progress along the
splendid avenue
happy idea had apparently occurred
20 the Emperor of China and the Mlkado
Of Japan. for. atten--~ by their inter-
mingled suites, they rode toge'her IN
sinsie carrigge. This ooiect lesson IN ihe
unity of International feeling immensely
pleased the spectators.
MI. -. - Co.. n
everyone nrofoundly That It vas brilliant
and masnlhcent goes without saying. but
there was a seriousness en- intense feel
ing Of expectancy pervading both those
who looked on and those VINO were 10 90
the work for which these magnates or
The earth had assembled. which produced
an lneradicable impression. The PRESIDENT
OF the United States, OF course pre-
sided.
No time was wasted in preliminar'es.
The President made d brief speech.
1--WE have come together he said, 10
consider a question that equally interests
the whole earth. need not remihu you
that Unexpectedly and without provoca-
ton on our part. the peopIe-'he "on-
sters l should rather say. Of Mars recent
" came down upon the earth. attacked
us in our homes. and spread desoiau on
around them. Having the advantage OF
ares OF evolution. which for us are yet IN
the future they brought with them en-
eines Of death and OF destruction, against
which we found 1t impossible to contend
II Is within the memory OF every one
within the reach Of my voice that IL was
through the entirely unexpected succor
which Providence sent us that we were
auooenly and enectuaily freed from the
invaders BY our own efforts we coWd
have done nothing 49,,
But, as you know, me nrst reehns
Of relief which followed the death OF our
foes was quickly succeeded by the ear
IN, news which came 10 MS from the OBJ
servatories that the Martians were I'M
doubtedly preparing for second invasion
~ our planet. Against this we shou'u
have had no recourse and no hope pui
For the genius OF one OF my countrymen.
who. as you all are aware has perfected
means which may enable us NOT oniy 10
Withstand the attack Of those awiul ems
mics. but 10 meet them. lei Us nope. 70
conquer chem on their own ground.
..Nr Edison is here 10 explain 10 you
,vhot those mears are. But we have also
another object. Whether we send a meet
of interplanetary ships TO invade Mars
or whether we simply coniine our atten-
lions 10 works OF defence. In either case
II will be necessary 20 raise very large
sum OF money. None OF us have YET re-
covered from the effects OF the recent IN
vasion. The earth is poor to-day COM
rarea with its condition a few years ago:
vet we cannot allow our poverty to
stand IN the way. The money. the means,
must be had. 1t will be part Of our bust
ness here 20 raise a gigantic war iuno
nv the aid Of which we can construct the
oou,pments and machinery that we shall
r.ouire. This. think. Is all | reed 10
say. Let us proceed to business.
"where Is Mr.. Edlson?" cried a voice.
.Ylu Mr. Edison please step forword?'
said the President
There was stir IN the assembly. and
the iron-gray head OF the great Inventor
was seen moving through the crowd. In
n,s hand ne carried one OF his marvellous
dlslntegrators. He vas requested 10 eX-
plain and illustrate It's operation.
II think" said one Of the deputies
"that a simple exhibition OF the powers
OF the instrument without technical
explanation OF Its method Of working
will suffice for our purpose"
This suggestion vas Immediately mp
proved In response 10 ". Mr. Edison
by few simple experiments. showed no"
ne could quickly and certainly shaueI
into iis constituent atoms any object mon
which the sihralory force OF the disln
tegrstor should he directed. In this man
per he caused an nkstand 20 disappear
UNDER the very nose Of rmperor VII
liam without a spot OF Ink being scat-
tered upon his sacred person. but evI-
IDENTIFY the odor OF the disvnited atoms
was not agreeable 10 the nostrils OF tbs
Kaiser.
Mr.. Edison also explained in general
terms the principle on which the instru-
merit worked. He wrs greeted with round
,stcr round ~ applause. ana ths spirit
% ire assembly rose hlgn
Next. the workings Of the electrical shir
were explained ana II was announced that
sftss the meeting bad ad;ournsd an sxhi'