The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-23
ILLUSTRATED
j." IS
EMM

United States couched in almost the
same terms. .-f
AT the conclusion of his speech.
this fine old man sank back into his
chair with bowed head as if the dis.
grace of his country was his own.
There was more or less dignified dis
cussion participated in by the older
officers present: but interrupted now
and then by some of the younger men.
who favored totally ignoring the or
ders and defending the islands to the
death. The cooler heads among them
prevailed, and at last it was recog-
nized that there was no alternative
save absolute and unqualified surren.
der
Before the meeting could be official
ly dispersed the suiien boom of a gun
came heavily from the sea, reverberat.
ing through the room. The men
sprang to their feet and rushed to-
ward the exit, knowing that war was
upon them, but that their hands were
tied as hopelessly as though bound
with manacles of steel.
There, within range of their own
heavier guns, floated 4 formidable fleet
from japan. Even while their con-
ference was in progress. cruiser afte:
cruiser and floating forts OF steel had
crept up over the horizon. The jap
anese gunners were testing their
range: but no damage had been done.
l saw procession of crestfallen men.
going as if to a funeral, enter their
fortress gates and silently gather
round the great flagstaff, from which
fioated a hitherto unsUllied banner. A
grim old man grown gray in war and
scared with the marks of many bat
ties, walked to the halyards, gave
them a pull and brought fluttering to
the ground the flag under which he
had fought so valiantly. A colonel Of
his staff took from the hands of an
orderly cloth of white, the emblem
the world over of defeat with or with.
out honor. fastened it into the idle
loops and pulled it alOft.
The general, a warrior no longer,
but a heart-broken old man, turned
away from his colleagues, walked
across the parade. and the door of his
quarters closed upon him. Several
other members of his staff did like
wise. and still others stood silent Oh
the ramparts, watching the outcome
of this event The ships ceased firing,
and, as if perpleXed by this unwar
ranted outcome. seemed to be COM
municating with each other, dexter
Dusty wigwagging signal after signal.
A torpedo boat destroyer slowly seps
rated itself from the fiotilla and came
suspiciously nOsing its way toward the
land, winding in and out as if fearing
floating mines or sunken engines OF
destruction.
las it neared the shore. it was seen
that on its black deck stood the aG
miral of the fleet. together with ri:
staff They were met at the landing
by deputation of officers, both civil
and military, who escorted them tC
the fort. No one can depict the eX
pressions, half surprise and half in
quiry, which Overspread the coun.
tenances of this insignificant invading
force. A party of less than ten men
without arms was actually accom-
plishinS the most remarkable con
quest in all history.
AT the entrance to this city oil
masonry and steel. equipped with
silent monsters Of warfare, embOdyirc
all the latest and most formidable in
struments of Offense and defense.
built to withstand the onslaught of the
combined navies and armies of the
world, stood the sullen, shamefaced
officers of the vanquished garrison, the
gilt of their full dress uniforms I'm.
furnished by powder or smoke, and
shining garishly in a midday sun
There, drawn up in line, were mel
who would have fought to death and
gone exultantly out into another world
rather thar face the disgrace which
had been heaped upon them by an I'M
worthy clique of superiors in Office
THE japanese admiral advanced to
the sacrificed but not defeated gen.
eral and extended his hand, Offering
the commonplace courtesies of the
day. There was no need of an inter
prefer, the head of the victorious force
speaking the English he had learned
at the United States Naval academy,
in which he had been educated.
(TO BE CONTINCED)