Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-07

take the queen ana me Win YOU we Snail
not be wanted in France. Come, Tangier,
cry 'Peccavi.' II l am king, do mot forget
that Mr.. Vanslttart is the emperor"
The crestfallen due apologized. handsomely
enough. Tbenceforward he was the million
aires keenest supporter.
IAN now Liancourt," said Jerome,
what is the position?"
Liancourt unfolded a map. Ten days
ago." he said, "the German emperor stimuli
taneously threw three army corps across the
frontier. Three severe battles have been
fought, besides several minor engagements.
Although not routed, the French troops
have been beaten by superior numbers, by
superb concentration, and particularly by
overwhelming artillery fire. The northern
German column, commanded by General
Kreuznach, occupies the right bank of the
Mouse, and has lodged a division across the
river at Montfaucon. The center attack. led
by the emperor in person, is also in posses
sion OF the Mouse, verdun being threatened
and in momentary danger of investment.
General Daubisson has, however, offered
stout resistance on both lines of advance.
He was admirably served by the railway
companies. and has thus been able to check
the enemy's progress-much more than they
anticipated. Their southern column has,
unfortunately. been more successful. It has
repealed, almost disastrously, two attacks
from Nancy and Epinal. and We fear that
the diversion of a large force from Belfort
will mean the immediate launching OF a
fourth army corps collected at Mulhausen."
"1s that all?"
mo. The worst has yet to be started. The
only efficiently modified troops in France
are already at the front. The German armies
have halted to consolidate and bring up re-
serves. Here they are vastly superior to us.
Surprising that their next forward move be
effectual, j fail to see how we can hope TO
arrest their march on Paris
You summarize affairs rapidly" cried the
king with some bitterness. He resented this
terse version of his own convictions.
Your majesty, we may deceive the enemy,
but, as you have said, we cannot deceive our
Selves
where is the feet?' inquired Jerome.
Protecting the Gabes canal, massed in
squadrons at Marseilles, Toulon, Brest and
Cherbourg, and patroling the channel
broke in the due de Tangier.
And the German feet?"
80 far as we know, resting securely be-
hind the guns Of Bremerhaven, Hamburg
and kiel. They cannot hope to match our
navy, neglected though it may have been"
Vansittart ignored the momentary sar-
y casm Of the concluding remark.
Let every available ship be sent from all
the points you have named, monsieur, into
the North sea and the Baltic, with orders
to do as much damage as possible to German
commerce, ports, navy and Qualifications. Ca
BILE instructions to commanders of vessels in
distant parts Of the world to sail for the
nearest German colony and find occupation
there. This, l think, had better be put in
operation at once
The due rose, but he murmured: Even a
single German cruiser in the Mediterranean
can do infinite damage to the Sahara works
at Gabes."
81 have not forgotten that possibility, -
said Jerome quietly, and the secretary for
the navy, in his newborn zeal, rushed i'm
petuously from the room to his admiralty
headquarters.
Vansittart took some writing materials
and began to draft a memorandum, the
: others watching him curiously. Without
!, ceasing to write he inquired:
as the secretary for war present."
Il am here" replied General villeneuve.
Are you well supplied with horses?"
ION the contrary. I,have had difficulty in
, collecting an additional 40, 900 which have
, been requisitioned at the 'front.'"
But you have them?"
= MY lists are nearly complete. intent
w " "oiuih5 tAclu J. pdlCueS IOmOT.
row."
"As for f~orage?"
s Fortunately we are we'll found in tina,
solitary respect"
Good. | want you to collect 1O, 900 horses
e strong and fast. and in good condition, to-
: gether with a weeks supplies for them ant
e'ooo men, at Sedan, as soon as possible"
Sedan!" broke in several voices IL
utter establishment. Sedan lay to the nortl
OF the present theater of operations. In an,
case, 1t was a place of evil omen to tn,
French mind.
jerome paused a moment in his writing
pulled the map towards him, scrutinized 1
for a moment; and exclaimed: Yes, it /
easily accessible by rail, and is just the RICH
locality"
NO one questioned him.. General Vile
neuve' not wishful to oppose the millionaire
yet Ventured on a suggestion.
I'VE can hardly afford such a large mum
Der. monsieur. I pledged my word to Gen
N eral Daubisson that he should have 400
Nv within a week"
He will" said Jerome, still writing. d"
Ia bought 10000 before leaving the state.
Ihey Will all reach Havre, Brest or Cher
he bourg between tomorrow, Sunday and Tues
day."
ed a general buzz OF subdued comment brok
IS out at the table. The king looked at Van
sittart's thoughtful face with somethin
IT, like wonderment in his own. Liancourtl
Sc air was ten years younger as he murmure
o. to his nearest %neighbor: 1.-THE emperor ha
not changed, then" General Villeneuve re
mt solved to carry out Instructions witho,
n comment in future.
on Jerome scrubbed on industriously.
be Where is Colonel LIE Breton ?" was h
,e, next question.
of He commands the cavalry division wit
by the main army" said Villeneuve.
Capital. The right man in the rigl
place. i am sorry that he should have
ert relinquish his post for a time"
n At last he ended his task, and CAREFUL
ad revised the manuscript. The watchfr
I'm council noted that he appeared to be vel
particular as 10 its phraseology. Sever
times he corrected 1t and once sought Il
lat assistance OF the king as to the exa
significance OF a French idiom he had use
When quite satisfied with the produ,
ton, he folded the document and hande
It to Villeneuve, saying: General, / er
lc' trust the execution of the task detaile
therein to you, Daubisson and lie Bretol
Have accurate copies made for the instru,