The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-04-17

insistent demands for official news
from the government, coupled with re-
quests for detailed accounts Of the de-
feat. 1.-THE administration replied with
the brief statement that no verified
report of the action In the Philippines
could be given out at that time. 1t
did state, however, that the official
declaration Of war had been duly re-
ceived, that the Japanese ambassador
had been withdrawn, the legation
closed and that the officials would
leave New York for their own country
that evening, sailing by way of LIVER
pool.
Public clamor gave way to popular
indignation. The country was aflame
with war spirit. Guardsmen gath
cred in their armories, awaiting Of
fetal bulletins and the expected call
to arms; and yet nc orders came.
The governors of several states tele-
graphed to the wal department for
advice; but their only satisfaction was
in the following message sent broad
cast by the secretary Of state:
"The government, recognizing the
patriotism and readiness of the Ma
tional Guard of the United States,
does not at this immediate. moment
desire it's services. 1t is we'll to bear
in mind, however, that a sudden call
may be issued at a later date and to
be prepared for emergencies. It
wishes to further that in its
judgment there will be no necessity
for fighting on land, and that the stu
alton is completely under control. So
far there have been nc casualties re-
ported from the Philippines"
Whatever may have been the state
Of the public mind. before the issuance
of this declaration, the country now
gasped with amazement. Some of the
more violent and outspoken journals
demanded of. the men at Washington
a statement of what they purposed to
do in this emergency, and the most
radical intimated in no uncertain
terms that incompetent administra-
lions were subject to impeachment.
But to all Of this outburst the govern
ment officials most directly interested
p1CSCAIOu OAAJ IAIO III N0AA4, pA0SAA
and Indifferent front. There was moth
ing to be detected in their demeanor
to indicate that any action whatever
had been taken.
The various members of the diplo-
matte corps, ever to the highest of the
foreign ambassadors, gathered no new
information. They were invariably
%~1l E,.% xLo+ 41@ TT~;%oI -Cto%0c
knew there had been a declaration of
war; second, that the United States
knew that the Philippines had been
surrendered; third, that no orders had
been issued up to that hour for the
sailing Of any fleet, but that it was ex-
pected orders would be given before
the day was over. The men of the
foreign representation M and all felt
a gentle rebuff tantamount to being
told that the United States was at
tending strictly to its own business
and desired neither to be advised o
to be compelled to answer questions.
None felt this more keenly than the
members of the British legation, and
Guy Hitler in particular. His meet
ing of the night before with Miss
Roberts had not terminated satisfac-
torily, but had come to an abrupt
close when he babe her good night at
the door of her home, and with all
his questions unanswered. Since that
moment there had been little time for
him either to brood over the situation
or to conjecture over her strange at
titude.
Throughout the early morning he
hurried this way and that, receiving
visitors and answering requests for in
formation from Great Britain. His
superior, heated and exasperated,
broke in upon him almost as he was
starting to call up Miss Roberts resi-
dence.
Guy" the ambassador said, 1--WE are
in a country of lunatics. There is
something in this governments atti-
tude that is inexplicable. It can't be
that they are all towards, and yet I
have something to show you"
The ambassador drew a handker-
chief from his sleeve and wiped the
perspiration from his forehead, after
which he reached a large pudgy finger
yer to the secretary's desk, pressing
there on a %pearl-topped electric button.
"Walters," he said to the usher.
who came into the room in answer to
the summons, neither MI. Hitler nor
myself is here, and we won't be back
for an hour; that is what you are to
say without exception" Then as the
attendant bowed himself out he beck
oned the secretary to follow him into
the s~eclusion Of his private Office.
"Hillier," he began, throwing q
paper. on the desk before the secre.
tary, who had seated himself on the
opposite side, "read that"
The secretary saw before him q
code telegram neatly interpreted be.
tween the lines. 1t was evidently an
Official order addressed to q feet COM
mander at Callao, Peru.
What do you make Of that" he
asked in q tone of great disgust. and
then, as Hitler started to question
him. put up his hand for silence. mo.
1t doesn't matter where I got It, or
how I had It decided; 1t is genuine. all
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