Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-07-14


Dor is smaller in area and population.
Our army was better equipped, but not
so hardy. For several months the fight
ing in the north was in our favor, but
the result was that our forces were
finally driven back to Edelweiss, hack
ed and battered by the fierce thousands
that came over the border. The nation
was staggered by the shock, for such
an outcome had not been considered
possible We had been too confident.
Our soldiers we're sick and worn by
six months Of hard fighting. and tne
laborers and the nobility itself-Hew to
arms in defense Of the city. For over
a month we fought, hundreds of our
best and bravest citizens going down to
death. They at last began lombard
ment Of the city. Today you can see
the marks on nearly every house in
Edelweiss. Hundreds OF graves in the
valley to the south attest the terrors
OF that siege. The castle was stormed,
and Prince Ganlook, with many Of the
chief men of the land, met death. The
prince was killed in front Of the castle
gates, from which he had sailed in a
last brave attempt to beat of the con-
querors. A bronze statue now marks
the spot on which he fell The prin-
cess, his wife, was my sister, and as
held the Portfolio Of finance It was
through me that the city surrendered,
bringing the siege to an end. Fifteen
years ago this autumn-the goth of No
vember, to be explicit-the treaty OF
peace was signed In Sofia. We were
compelled to cede a portion Of terri
tory in the far northeast, valuable for
its mines. Indemnity was agreed upon
by the peace commissioners, amounting
&c 2O,000,000 gavvos, or nearly $50, 00O.-
900 in your money. In fifteen years this
money was to be paid, with interest.
On the Goth Of November, this year the
people Of Graustark must pay 25,0O0.-
900 gavvos. The time is at hand, and
that is why We recall the war so vivid
ly. 1t means the bankruptcy OF the
nation, gentlemen"
Neither of his listeners spoke for
some moments. Then Lorry broke the
silence.
you mean that the money cannot
be raised?" he asked.
ut is not In our treasury. Our peo-
pie have been taxed so sorely in re-
building their homes and in recuper-
, ating from the effect OF that dreadful
invasion that they have been unable
to pay the levies. You must remem-
Der that we are a small nation and Of
limited resources. Your nation could
secure $4,000, 900 In one hour for the
mere asking. To US II is like a death
blow. am not betraying a state Sc
cret In telling you OF the sore straits
In which we are placed, for every man
in the nation has been made cognizant
OF the true conditions. We are all fac
ing II together"
There was something so quietly he
roic in his manner that both men felt
pity Anguish, looking at the military
figure, asked:
You fought through the war, your
eXcellency?"
Il resigned as minister. sir, to go to
the front. | was in the first battle and
was In the last" he said simply.
And the prlncess-the present ruler,
! mean-was a mere child at that time.
When did she succeed to the throne?"
asked Lorry.
"Oh. the great world does not re-
member our little history! Within a
year after the death Of Prince Gan
look his wife, my sister, passed away.
dying of broken heart. Her daugh-
ter. their only child, was. according to
our custom, crowned at once. She has
reigned for fourteen years, and wisely
since assuming full power. For three
years she has been ruler de facto She
has been frugal and has done all in
her power to meet the shadow that is
descending"
And what is the alternative In case
the indemnity is not paid?" asked
Lorry breathlessly, for he saw some
thing bright in the approaching calam-
ity.
THE cession OF all that part of Grau-
stark lying north OF Edelweiss, includ-
ing fourteen towns. all OF our mines
and our most productive farming and
grazing lands. In that event Grau-
stark will be no larger than one OF the
good sized farms In your western coun-
try. There will be nothing left for her
royal highness to rule save tract so
small that the word principality will
be travesty and jest-this city and
twenty-five miles to the south, a strip
about $50 miles long. Think of it!
Twenty-Five by $50 miles, and yet called
a principality! Once the proudest and
most prosperous state In the east, con-
sidering its size, reLuced to that! Ach,
gentlemen-gentlemen, ! cannot think
of 1t without tearing out heart string
and suffering such pains as mortal
man has never endured. lived in
Graustark's days Of wealth. power and
supremacy. God has condemned me
to live in the days of her dependency,
weakness and poverty. Let us talk no
more of this unpleasant subject"
"WillipplU unnp av,alIann., ,i..o 4.