The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1908-01-21

tallatiun; but England, rich, mighty
and powerful, felt herself without
means OF appeasing It. 1t was wei
enough to talk Of revenge when the
means were at hand; but the country
in the face Of this dread enemy was
helpless, and so 1t. was that the bit
terness of defeat gave way to the
hopelessness Of terror when calmer
and more judicial spirit prevailed. II
was beginning to be comprehended &c
the full that not only Great Britain In
all her strength, but the combined
forces of the world, would stand nc
chance of conducting even a defensive
war against the United Statesmen
become a swordfish ravaging and de
populating the seas.
In the meantime, while all this con
sternation prevailed and the heads Of
nations, fearful and trembling, specu
lated as to the outcome, the sailor
from the Dreadnought was being
watched and cared for by the most
distinguished savants and specialists
of the old world. There lowered over
his bedside through every minute Of
the day men dispatched by every
European power, who were doing all
that science might suggest to bring
this lone and stricken mariner back
to sanity and let him give tongue to
what he knew of this scourge Of the
waters. Hourly bulletins Of his con
dition were posted on street corners
and round these stood men and won
en- in suspense. His least word was
recorded as of monumental impor
lance, in the hope that from some
Granny of his wrecked mind might
come some calculating phrase, how
ever slight The most important
thing that apparently could be relied
upon was that whatever the form Of
attack had been, 1t was observed be
fore the blow was struck. This was
shown by his repeatedly exclaiming;
ITS coming! It's coming! It'll get US,
sure, and We can't fight back!"
And SO the nations watched by the
bedside Of common sailor. From
Japan came long messages of con
dolence to her ally, which were re
ceived in spirit of fellow suffering
The peculiarities of the situation
were in nowise lessened by reports
from Canada, where the troops still
massed along the border maintained a
friendly spirit, committed no acts Of
encroachment, showed no apprehen.
sion of war, and seemed as ignorant
of thair own pnUarnp1ant'c plana 0r
what 1t had done as were the Cana.
dams themselves. Indeed, their mys'
LITIGATION over the disappearance OF
the Japanese and British fleets was as
complete as that of the most humble
farmer on the Canadian frontier. Their
officers, shocked by the terrific news,
fastened to give statements to the
effect that their instructions were to
avoid giving offense, as the United
States had no intention OF engaging In
war with Great Britain. Coupled with
the loss of the feet, these interviews
seemed singularly inconsistent, 1t be.
ing impossible to reconcile annihila.
ton on the sea and cry for peace on
land.
1t was generally admitted In Eng.
land that Canada was now In help.
less position and completely at the
mercy of well-drilled and well,
equipped army along her borders,
which was undoubtedly within con.
slant reach Of supplies and reinforce.
ments. The futility of any attempt
either to relieve or to aid her by
sending more men across the Atlantic.
now absolutely under the control oil
the Americans, was obvious. 1t began
to appear to the British government
that the United States was deliberate
| ly planning to take the dominion OF
| Canada whenever she deemed the time
opportune. That she could now do SO
at her own convenience was unques,
| toned.
An exasperating condition was the
attitude of the Canadians themselves
who, as far as appearances went, were
in state of the utmost placidity. In
decd, the farmers along the border
were prosperous and thriving through
the increased demand for their sup
plies, which the American quarter
masters purchased literally, AMI fol
which they invariably paid American
gold. 1t actually seemed as II an era
of good feeling was being established
across the boundary. The loss of the
feet threatened rupture for brlei
time; but the province, now con
vinced OF the hopelessness of taking