The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-05-15
The time advanced until the japan.

44OAOAuAuS WAClS lAOy WSl0 W lOpOAL,
coal and prepare for the final struggle.
The cable between Hawaii and Japan,
now in possession of the mikado's
operators, continued It's daily reports
Of most favorable weather; but still
no squadron hove in sight.
One day, two days, and three, passed
before Japan felt anxiety, or the world
began its discussion as to the cause
Of the long delay. Then, when the
fleet was more than a week overdue
it became almost a certainty that
some disaster had overtaken 1t, al
though from no section of the sea had
there been a typhoon reported or any
thing but excellent barometric condi-
lions. Ten days passed in this same
way, and on the last the report from
Honolulu was identical with that
which had been made on all those
previous: Nothing in sight, and moth
ing arrived" ....
Once more the world stood in ex-
pectancy, and vainly sought the So
luton for the latest enigma. Storms
were eliminated; for no tempest could
have wiped out such a magnificent
body Of ships so effectually, as to leave
none to bear the sad tidings to the
nearest port. And then, as a full reali-
cation of what must have happened
dawned upon the watching powers, a
shudder of dread passed through them
all. 1t was plain that America had
some new and terrific naval strength,
some unheard of monster of the deep,
that gave it the mastery of the seas
The evolution of submarines had been
rapid; but no one had knowledge of a
craft that could steam such a distance
as would have been necessary to in
tercept the Japanese before they
reached Honolulu, engage them and
either destroy them completely or cap
ture and convey them to an American
port.
1t must have been total destruction,
the world argued, because in case of
capture great battle ships themselves
would scarcely have been able to
make the complete trip to a Pacific
coast on the supply of coal they car
ried in their bunkers. Forced drafts
required great expenditure of fuel,
and never at any time had there been
any other intention than of replenisn-
ing at Hawaii. It seemed impossible
that a civilized nation should have
chosen deliberately to exterminate it's
enemies by wholesale; and yet there
was no other conclusion tenable.
How terrific must have been that
onslaught, coming up out Of the wa
tiers of the sea, and how remorselessly
executed! All losses of life in previ-
GUS naval engagements sank into in
significance when compared with this
sudden and swift o%bliteration of a
fleet of warships, transports and COL
liers. It would be nearly impossible
to spare lives in such a battle, and
it seemed a certainty that the great
steel monsters that had sailed away
to easy conquest had become mere
metal collins for those who manned
them, and were nov resting some
where on the floor of the needless Pa
ci1c. If such was the case, it was
time the United States ceased to ex.
list as a nation, when peopled by in
human monsters who calmly slew
their adversaries when threatened.
Japan was left a helpless little u.s.
land in the sea, without ships to as
sail an enemy or to defend herself.
Shorn of power and pride, she was
plunged as deeply in mourning as
only a few weeks before she had been
exalted in glory. She plaintively be-
walled the barbarities of her enemy,
and proudly pointed to her W high
state Of civilization, which made such
warfare impossible. She asserted
that had she possessed such monsters
of destruction as were evidently owned
by the United States, she would have
scorned to use them without notify.
ing the whole world of her power. It
was a country Of desolation.
There was hardly a prominent home
in Japan which had not contributed
some member of it's family to that
splendid navy which had sailed SO
proudly away when early June was
spreading its flowers I've the empire;
now there were sobs Of bereavement
and voc
Across the ancient lands of the
Pharaohs and up through the prov
inces of kings there swept a unani-
nous desire for an explanation. It
could come from only one source
this land of mystery which had cut
itself of from all the world and stood
silent. guarding its secret and sud-
denly grown ominous in its possibil.
ties and potentialities.
Japan, hopeless and driven to ex.
tremities, appealed to her ally, Great
Britain, for news. She showed no
cowardly spirit by asking for aid Of
arms, and sought the assistance of her
closest friend only that she might gain
information. And Great Britain after
due consideration responded. i
The premier Of the dominion Of
canada was asked in the interests Of
to pass a communication to
the soldiers on the border, asking for
particulars of the destruction Of the
japanese feet. 1t was duly accepted
and forwarded, and back came the
reply:
"The United States has no report
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