Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-05-05

| spoke of the bitterness OF war, of the
loss of men and property, of the inevitable
severance OF personal and commercial ties;
lit seems to me to he so futile II war /
said. What is TO be gained? why resort
TO violence and hloodshed2 think OF the
enormous expense and the resulting IN
crease of taxes. Why not arbitrate, your
Majesty p
The Kaiser's expression hardened. at is
sometimes necessary In life to assert ones
dignity by force he said, after n period
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 undenlable, ana
from the King of England, my Uncle.
They suggested arbitration. | replied that
| proposed first TO administer punishment,
using what, In your country, you are
pleased to term the big stick, the club,
the hand OF castigatlon. 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 a fortnight. Then, aud
not until then. will the Emperor of
listen to Intervention"
/ could make no reply. The argument
was conclusive.
Then Latour, the spy, came into my mind.
was captured today after the skirmish
at Menigny."
lie waved his hand impatiently. 81 know.
He was caught red-handed. lie had notes
maps. He dies at sunrise
''IIe is my friend" l said simply. u
have known him for years-a splendid
man"
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
u%plifted, warning finger. There Is room
for explanation, for instance, as to how II
happens that you start from Amiens on a
jaime by designation, and coming from the
west are wrecked in yonder tree he
pointed to the white case OF the balloon,
that futtered 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
look down upon your own body as we'll as
that of Latour's lying dead before a squad
Then Latour must die?' I asked. I was
pleading without hope. For myself / feared
not.
'Latour must die. 1t is the rule of war
a rule not to be broken"
He turned away TO speak to an approach
ing officer, and | climbed the steps TO my
room. My dear friend-my poor Latour.
In the night l was awakened by my valet.
Before | could arise Lowenberg burst into
the. room. we are 10 advance lnnleull-
ately," he said. "a surprise party. with
probable sharp fighting. l want you with
me. Come at once"
| dressed with all haste. Aimee was
asleep and | would not waken her. | wrote
her q haSty note, explaining the arrange
ments for her departure, 4Mying It to her
maid. Hurrying down TO The courtyard |
found my horse stamping with Impotence
TO be off. Five minutes later Lowenberg
and | were galloping along the main road to
the west. In the moonlight we could see
the glitter of helmets and sabres. The
earth trembled with the tramp of men and
horses. The very air quivered with lmpend-
Ing violence. We were In the midst Of war.
TO be Continued Merit Week.