The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-08-29

went on In response TO P0lhAm,a puZ
zled expression, ''two nations of the
East and West made an alliance. It
was an alliance of esteem ay well as of
interest, and the gods smiled, because
it made for the peace and progress of
the world. But time flies fast, and all
too soon the term of years covered by
the contract began to draw to a close.
This term had been a source of deep
regret to certain statesmen of both
countries-they had always considered
it far too brief-and now as the friend
ship of the two nations officially neared
its end, these men sought to safeguard
the future by absorbing the remnant
of the old treaty in new one"
He paused for moment as if waiting
for Pelham, but the latter was too spell
bound by what he had heard to speak.
"FOr this purpose" continued his ex.
cellency, "a son Of our Emperor came
to England. Ostensibly the visit had
little political significance, but in real
ity its object was to discuss and, il pos
sible, settle certain aspects of the agree
ment. And in the wake of the prince
came, secretly and alone, an old watch
dog of the Empire"
''This old watch dog" resumed his
his youth in England, and it was to his
that the Emperor now confided the final
decision of Japan. This decision is
the last issue, centred round question
of English public opinion, and thanks
to your aid in the matter, Mr.. Pelham,
my course has been made an easy and
an obvious one. At any rate" he con-
cluded with smile, Il had sufficient
faith in our experiment to sign new
treaty this afternoon between England
and Japan"
"But your excellency, no one dreams?"
mot one! The secret has been mar
vellously we'll kept, and outside our
selves and the statesmen Immediately
concerned, few in England and Japan
have any idea of the momentous dOcu-
ment signed this afternoon. For your
part in the affair, my friend" he went
on, "the Japanese government-indeed
l may say the two governments-are
deeply grateful; and although they can
not of course take official cognizance of
the matter, they have deputed me to
make the following proposal, in the
hope that it may redeem any injury
your newspaper may have suffered.
Here" and hebrew document from
his pocket, sis rough draft of the
salient clauses in the new treaty, and 1
am at liberty to offer you the choice of
publishing it twenty-four hours ahead
of all your rivals"
Pelham's face was very white and his
voice, when he spoke, uncertain.
"Your excellency means?"
Il mean, my friend, that the govern
ments of England and Japan have
agreed to withhold the official an
nouncemen. of the new treaty for a
period of twenty-four hours" said his
excellency. 'tIn the meantime they
offer you the privilege of publishing
the news, without reserve. You will
not only be the first to announce pub
licly the greatest political secret of
modern times, but even the actual
terms of the document now place un-
reservedly at your disposal. No, no,
my friend" as Pelham would speak,
edo not thank me, rather the gods, who
have once more proved their ability to
take care of the principles And now.
my FRIEND" as he rose to go, 1--WE must
say farewell. My country has more
work for me to do out there" pointing
to the East, land 1 go tonight. We
may not meet again on this sphere, for
l am old and my body is growing tired;
but souls that are akin have a place OF
meeting-somewher We will not say
'good-by,' then-let it be, till we meet
again"
He held out his hand as he spoke and
for moment they stood i'll silence-the
East and the West-the one man young
and strong, the other old and tired; but
the spirit in the eyes of both was the
same. 1t knew neither Youth nor Age,
but eternally works for Freedom, Right
and Progress; it was the spirit that pros
pered the growth of England and fires
the heart of New apan.-Biack and
White.