The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-12-24

the man who was expected to eluci. |
date the greatest mystery of the age.
A guard of constables formed hollow |
square round him and forced their |
way up the long, tunnel-like shed lead |
ing to the train which was to convey |
him to London.
When he had gained his seat In a
compartment reserved for his use, and
the train whirled away past neatly
walled farms, prosperous villages and
great cities, he wondered at the
strange trend of events which had
thrown him so prominently into the
foreground. He smiled in irony as he
reviewed his own actual knowledge OF
the situation, and realized how little
he had in the way of information in
comparison with what he was ex-
pected to divulge.
At Euston station he was escorted
to a carriage, and whistled soft note
of surprise as he recognized on the
panels the prime minister's coat OF
arms. Plainly he was to be subjected
to what in America he had hearo
called the Third Degree" Surreptl-
tious mods were interchanged by a
crowd of loungers, and such comments
rs That's him!" and "'E's the blOke
watts goin' to tell us abaout it,"
loa&ed to him as the footman slammed
he door behind, mounted the box
and whipped the team into gallop.
He was ushered into the sacred pre-
cincts of the prime minister's private
chamber, and found awaiting not only
hat important person but the foreign
secretary, and lord of the admiralty
Is well. The ponderously sealed
packet from his ambassador was torn
open and read aloud. 1t contained the
ollowing startling statement from his
)erturbed and irate superior:
Il have the honor to inform your
ordship that l am in country evi.
lently inhabited by maniacs. l have
painstakingly sought logical expla'
nation for the acts of this government,
and frankly admit that am unable to
understand either its attitude toward
his majestys government, its proposed
plan of campaign, or what the effect
of this war will be upon other nations
| have been persistently refused any
intimation as to what has taken place
or is intended. In personal inter.
view with his excellency, the presi-
dent of the United States, have been
positively informed that his country
will under no circumstances permit
any demonstration against Great Brit
ain, but that it may become necessary
to suspend intercourse for a time.
cannot tell what is meant by this, nor
would he give me further information.
The attitude of the administration,
backed up by congress, is that of SUI
preme egotism and self-sufficiency,
despite the position taken by the peo-
pie and the press, as shown in news
papers which are sent herewith. In
view of the uncertainty of the stiua-
ton, the enigma presented by the
United States governments attitude.
and the threat that within 48 hours all
exchange of communication will be
suspended, l deem it wise to suggest
that his majesty hold himself in readl'
ness to make an overpowering naval
demonstration in these or Canadian
waters. if need should arise. l am
sending this by my secretary, who can
answer any questions Of a more peril
nent nature as well as | could"
The letter, written in the grabbed
hand of the ambassador, was slowly
read aloud, those present straining
their hearing that no word might be
lost and at it's conclusion they sat
dumbfounded.
You were there, believe" said the
prime minister, slowly swinging back
and forth in his swivel chair, and ad'
dressing the secretary, when the
news of the surrender of the Philip
pines was received"
Yes, your lordship."
"What excuse had the government
| to make for such unwarranted ac'
tion?"
| NOuS "lldISNSl'
"Do YOU mean to say that they suf,
fered without protest or defense the
surrender of fortification which cost
millions of pounds, was adequately
equipped and able to repel successfully
the attack of such fleet as Japan
sent against it?"
"Yes, they even accepted 1t com
placently."
From round the room came mur
murs of amazement, while the rustic
of newspapers showed the anxiety OF
those present to CLEAN what informa
ton they could be perusal. Losing
| their phlegmatic air of self possession
and casting official dignity to the winds
thew bombarded Hitler with questions
which in the main he was unable tc
answer. The voice of the stately lord
of the admiralty rose above the others
in a sudden, insistent petulant Ques
| ton.
DO YOU know anything else worth
while?" he asked.
"No," answered Hitler, Il have nc
knowledge other than that which
have given to you, which in itsel
was gathered elsewhere than from ar
absolutely silent and secretive gov
ernment."
(To BE CONTINUED)