New-York tribune., 1907-12-01
THE VANISHING FLEETS
from mpasI
Corfrzs1 from page 10

teaching China drastic lesson and announcing
its secret to the world or meeting the brltSh
squadrons and holding them hostage IN tllG M
terest of peace. They chose the latter % after
native, and thereby was caused the SlraiiSeS'
chapter in the history OF war.
Like that other SALLY outward to the Western
seas, this one was timely. IL was made wheh
the British fleet might be met beyond the
reach of wireless telegraph communication H. anu
the departure from the key was also ulldeI
cover of darkness. Again there was a teseill-
blance to the Japanese affair, IN that the aP-
pearance of the radioplanes created surprise
and CONSERVATION on the "arSli1po ~
however the similarity ended The Anglo
Saxon mind knows no such thing as surrender
when once it is stirred to the depths OF us Sluo
bornness Ii can read only two answers 10 the
riddle of ConfiiCt.-vIctory or dedth; - nao
been attested by many hard lougtl od''e
on land and sea.
The armada OF Great Britain had sailed with
apDrehensions being fully cognlzant thal II
was invading a territory Of mystery ana ddhse''
and the vigilance of its watch, therefore va
never relaxed The cOnsternatlon cauSed DS
the first sight of the aerial fleet was l1Inltdi-
ateIy followed bv hurried clearing OF the
decks for action. although defeat IN a Oattle
against such overpowerIng odds was a ioreBoiv
conclusion No gun was fired. however anu an
stood expectantly awaiting a deCldldtIon =,
come upon them in the tuil glare OF the al 'ei
noon l..
With slow and stately majesty the radio
planes approached, each flying the nag Oh the
United States and beneath u Ihe eliio'elii "
truce The DreadnOught, answering SiuS-
gishIy TO the swell and hurting great caScdde9
Of water from its bow. was III the neart Oh tiig
formation. and in its ponderous nnglt 9eeiIIu t
fearless of anything afioat. Toward IL the
foremost radioplane directed iJS course, drop
r;ng steadily down until full abreast and on
a level with the great fighting tops. while the
officers of the battleshIp watched with amaze
rnent its splendid control Not TIL thel W
there a visible display of 1ie aboard II \ port
opened and into the biacknes5 OF ICs II an i-I
Bevins emerged while directly behind nm
stood the scientist who had recovered, ana
wa to witness the first full demonstration OF
the power he had evolved On the bridge OF
the battleship the British Adrnlrai stood Sr'r
rounded by staff Officers
Good afternoon Admiral" the American
hailed Glad to see YOU. How do you Ike
the looks OF US,
l--n~s Fields face fitted half smile e We
are very well indeed Admiral BevIns. but
r,,'+ s,L we are particularly glad u see You,
or sure that we like YOU until we know more
Clever invention that Must have been con
ceived by EnglIshnIan-
Behind the United states officer wIthered
little figure became imbued with a sudden
frenzy Of passion and threatened 70 lnterleot
an unpleasant remark; but BevlnS checked
him with i laugh and grew serious agaln.
admiral he said. my country 1Sn I at
yyar with YOURS. Ou understand IhaI-
Field looked relieved. and lost somewhat OF
his air OF set defiance NJ the head Of Ms men
he crossed u the end Of the bridge where ne
MIGHT be nearer the one addressing h1n- he
nervous strain OF the situation wa~ beng
RAPIDLY diminished. Frankly. | II glad % ot.
r,assured " he replied " There are q lot o-
things we'd rather know
And which shall he glad % explain Il YOU
and q dozen of Your immediate Subordinates
viii come aboard a. nv guests-
The, invitation was Immedlateiy accepted
but II was a TRYING interview tor the BrltOTlS-
The machine on which they were received va
th,. Roberts which was the latest production
Of the plant on the key. 1t was Larger than lts
predecessors. and had been made the most
pretentious- II was elegantly appointed
Amidships It contained a drawing room on
which the most careful workmanship had been
laviShed The guests gathered round a huge
mahogany table whose polished top reflected
the light from the colored ports Of the dome,
and we're served with refreshments before
BevinS rccr,rred 70 the object OF his visit He
drew from his pocket official packet and
laid II open before him.
Gentlemen" he began, OF course You are
interested in all that YOU have seen, and IN the
attitude u the United States What I shall
read % YOU are nv orders. | have come out
here t. meet YOU for the purpose. hrst OF all
that YOU NAV hear them