Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-04-28

I spoke of the bitterness OF war, of the
loss of men and property. OF the inevitable
severance OF personal and commercial ties.
ut seems to me to be so futile n war,
said. What is to be gained? why resort
to violence and bloodshed? think of the
enormous expense and the resulting In
crease of taxes. Why not arbitrate, your
Majesty
The Kaiser's expression hardened. sit is
sometimes necessary in life to assert ones
dignity by force" he said, after a period
of silence. II represent a great nation.
We have been Knocked, trampled, spit upon.
We have borne insults to the point of mad
ness. 1t Is time to strike back. This very
day messages came to me from your great
President Roosevelt. whose influence In
the affairs of the world is undeniable, and
from the King of England, my. Uncle.
They suggested arbitration. l replied that
l proposed first to administer punishment,
using what, in your country, you are
| pleased to term 'the big stick, the club,
the hand OF castigation. Is this not their
own policy in the last stages of disagree
ments? Remember Cuba, and the Trans
vaal No, it is too early for arbitration.
| There will be two great battles. One, on
| land, is before us; the other on the sea,
will occur within n fortnight. Then, and
not until then, will the Emperor of Germany
| listen to Intervention"
l could make no reply. The argument
was conclusive.
Then Latour, the spy, came into my mind
was captured today after the skirmish
at Menigny."
He waved his hand impatiently. 81 know.
| He was caught red-handed. He had notes
maps He dies at sunrise.
''IIe is my friend" / said simply. az
have known him for years-a splendid
man."
us he any less a spy?' The words came
suddenly, like bullets from a gun. "Yet
you would have me set aside the rules of
war because he Is your friend. Understand,
| young man, that your own position Is none
too secure" He leaned toward me with
uplfted, warning finger. There is. room
for explanation, for instance, as to how 1t
happens that you start from Amiens on a
pleasure trip, in a French balloon, la
jaime by designation, and coming from the
west are wrecked in yonder tree" he
pointed to the white case Of the balloon,
that fluttered in the night wind high in the
great oak behind the Chateau, "when the
basket of that same balloon. containing a
French General of STAFF and a wireless
telegraph, drops within the German lines
far to the east, In Lorraine. Were 1t not
for your nationality, tomorrow's sun might
that of Latour's lying dead before a squad
of infantry"
'Then Latour must die?" asked was
pleading without hope. For myself feared
not.
"Latour must die. 1t is the rule Of war
rule not to be broken"
lie turned away to speak to an approach
ing officer, and / climbed the steps to my
room. My dear frend-my poor Latour
In the night was awakened by my valet
Before / could arise Lowenberg burst into
ately." he said. "A surprise party. witt
probable sharp fighting. / want you will
me. Come at once
] dressed with all haste. Aimee wa,
asleep and would not waken her. l wrot,
her nasty note, explaining the arrange
ments for her departure giving Il to he
maid: Hurrying down to the courtyard
found my horse stamping with impatenc,
> to be of. Five minutes later Lowenbers
T and were galloping along the main road t
the west. In the moonlight we could Sc,
, the glitter of helmets and sabres. Tn,
earth trembled with the tramp of men ant
A.. horses. The very air quivered with impend
Ing violence. We were In the midst Of war
10 be Continued Merit Week.