The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-06-12

warned by the presidents call, they
expected news Of distressing import,
and therefore were not surprised in
the least at the tenor Of the statement
Which was read to them. They lis
tened attentively, and remained silent
when the last words were spoken, each
waiting for the other to express an
opinion. The president. grave and
calm, looked from one to the other as
IT inviting freedom Of speech, and
then turned to the secretary Of the
navy, a crusty man who was given to
open expression.
"Mr. Sessions" he said, you are
probably better informed than any
other man of the possibilities of bring
ing the navy to a point where it may
be regarded as resistless. Whafhase
you to say?"
The latter showed signs Of i'll tenn
per. He wiped the shining dome of his
head and stared across the tops Of his
horn bowed glasses at his colleagues.
For three years now" he replied, bit.
terly, Il have endeavored to get ap.
preparations consistent with the needs
of the country; did everything I could
with dignity and q little more; tried
to get friends to pass bills. and gave
them statistics showing Just what our
position would be in this event: but
there were always a few watch dogs
of the treasury who succeeded In de.
feating everything attempted"
The president looked at him reprov.
ingly. but said nothing. The others
gave him silent. sympathy. knowing
that In cas- Of disastrous war he
would be the n to stand IN the lime.
light and defend himself for not work.
ing miracles unaided. The gratitude
of kings vas no more open to sarcasm
than the gratitude Of republics.
"The report says" continued the
secretary, gloomily, that war may be
anticipated IN elk months at the
furthest. and that our only safeguard
Is to bring our navy up to a tormid.
able force before that time. Well,
we can't do II! With all the facilities
at u command we can't build. ships
in q night, nor drill men to ma them
in a day. We shout about our re.
sources. and we have them: but 1t
takes time to utilize them"
His outspoken pessimism loosened
his hearers tongues; but the most
optimistic could find nothing encour-
aging to say. 1t was obvious that the
country in any event would be I'M
prepared. They were discussing
emergency plans, when the presidents
secretary appeared in the doorway.
They turned to him, wondering what
could claim the chief executives atten-
ton at that time of the night. The
secretary walked over to the president
and addressed him in a low tone. They
caught scraps of the conversation.
"Says he wants to see me tonight"
eyes, and l didn't like to refuse a
nan Of his prominence, or one who is
so closely your friend"
won't he talk to you?"
mot much! Just laughed, and said
he wanted to see you personally"
well go tell him I would be glad
to e him ordinarily; but that I am in
a conference of great Importance with
friends. Ask him to say what hour he
prefers to see me tomorrow"
The secretary bowed and left the
room, and the conversation was re-
sumed. 1t continued only a moment
before he again appeared, and the
president turned toward him. :.
"Dr. Roberts seems a little an.
noyed," the secretary apologized, "and
insisted On my coming back to tell
you that he wanted to see you now"
The president and others in the