The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-08-02
A Maker of History.

sideration of facts which need one
thing only to justify our course of ac-
ton. Evidence is brought to us that
a secret meeting took place between
the car of Russia and the emperor
| of Germany. From all the Informal
ton which we have collected that
meeting was possible. l personally be-
lieve that it took place. A treaty is
| said TO have been drawn up between
them, having for it's object the embroil-
ment of England with Russia, and an
alliance of Germany with Russia so
far as regards her quarrel with Eng
land. We knowfthat Germany is Sc
cretly mobilizing men and ships. We
know that the ambition of the emperor
| is to possesse himself of the colonies
tof Great Britain, If not actually to
| hold his court in London. We know
that his jealousy of King Edward
| amounts to disease. We know that
he is a man of daring and violent tenn
per. with an indomitable will and an
unflinching belief in his own infallibil-
ity and the infallibility of his army
and navy. We know that he has at
least a dozen schemes for a sudden at
tack upon England, and mighty though
the navy of Great Britain is, it is not
in our opinion strong enough to protect
her shore from the combined Baltic
and German fleets and also protect the
ship, has been warned. She proposes
with most flattering alacrity the only
possible counter-stroke-an alliance
with ourselves. We must decide with
in twelve hours. The treaty lies upon
my desk there. Upon us must
rest the most momentous deci-
sion which any Friedman within our
recollection has been called upon to
make. What have you to say. gentle
men?"
There was a short silence. Then the
man who sat at Monsieur Grissons
right hand spoke.
The issues before u.s. he said slow
ly, ARE appalling. Every Frenchman's
blood must boil at the thought of Ger
many greedily helping herself to the
mighty wealth and power of Great
Notwithstanding by this single mas
ter stroke the strongest nation on
earth. able to dictate even to us, and to
send her word unchallenged throughout
the world. 1t is hideous picture, 1t
must mean the abandonment forever of
the hope of every true Frenchman.
Every minute will become a menace to
us. Wilhelm, the arrogant, with Brit
ish gold and British ships at his back,
will never forget to flaunt himself be-
fore us TO our eternal humiliation"
You are taking it for granted his
neighbor remarked, that Germany
will be successful
THE odds are in her favor" was the
quiet reply. 1.-THE navy of Great Brit
ain is immense, but her sea front, so to
speak, is enormous. She is open TO be
the prey of a sudden swift attack, and
the moment has never been more IA
vorable.'
Let all these things be granted" the
third man said. Even then. we are
free to enter into this alliance with
England? Our treaty with Russia re-
mains. We have no proof that she has
broken faith with us. If this secret
treaty between Russia and Germany
really exists, it is. of course, another
matter. But does it? We have moth
ing but the word of an English boy.
The rest is all assumption The whole
affair might be nightmare We might
sign this treaty with England, and
find afterward that we had been the
victim of trick. We should be per-
jured before the face of all Europe. and
our great financial interest in Russia
would at once be placed in a perilous
position"
A telephone upon the table rang
softly. Monsieur Grisson held the re-
ceiver to his ear and listened. Then
he rose to his feet.
OOuHl NOH Muncnen desires a word
with me-" he announced. He pledges
himself not to keep me more than five
minutes. I had better receive him. Ex-
cuse me. gentlemen"
The two men were left alone. The
elder and stouter of the two busted
himself with an inch rule and an atlas
He seemed to be making calculations
as to the distance between Cherbourg
and certain spot in the North sea.
What is the chiefs own mind?" his
companion asked Does anyone
known"
The other shook his head.
Who can say? Our ties Of friend
ship with England are too recent to
make this matter of sentiment. I be-
lieve that without proof he fears to
accept this statement. And yet above
all things he fears Germany. There
was some talk of a missing page of the
actual treaty between Russia and Ger
many. If this could be found 1 believe