The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-30

sought interviews: but. warned In "a.
vance by wireless telegraph, he de-
clined all conversation The wharf
was black With people. who anxiously
craned their necks to catch sight Of
the man who was expected to eluci-
date the greatest mystery of the age.
A guard of constables formed hollow
square round him and forced their
way up the long. tunnel-like shed lead.
ing to the train which was to CONVEX
him to London. "a
When he had gained his seat In
compartment reserved for his use. AMI
the train whirled away past neatly.
walled farms, prosperous villages and
great cities, he wondered at the
strange trend of events which had
thrown him SO prominently into the
foreground. He smiled in irony as he
reviewed his own actual knowledge of
the situation. and realized how little
he had in the way of information in
comparison with what he was ex-
pected to divulge.
At Euston station he was escorted
to a carriage, and whistled soft note
of surprise as he recognized on the
panels the prime minister's coat of
arms. Plainly he was to be subjected
to what in America he had heard
called the Third Degree" Surreptf
tious mods were interchanged by a
crowd of loungers, and such comments
as That's him." and "'E's the bloke
watts goin' to tell us abaout it,"
,iioated to him as the footman slammed
the door behind, mounted the box
and whipped the team into gallop.
: He was ushered into the sacred pre-
cincts of the prime minister's private
that important person but the foreign
secretary. and lord of the admiralty
IS well. The ponderously sealed
packet from his ambassador was torn
open and read aloud. 1t contained the
following startling statement from his
perturbed and irate superior:
Il have the honor to inform your
.ordship that 1 am in a country evil
IDENTIFY inhabited by maniacs. l have
painstakingly sought logical expla-
nation for the acts of this government.
and frankly admit that am unable to
understand either its attitude toward
his majesty's government, its proposed
plan of campaign, or what the effect
of this war will be upon other nations
l have been persistently refused any
intimation as to what has taken place
or is intended. In a personal inter.
view with his excellency. the presi-
dent of the United States, have been
positively informed that his country
will under no circumstances permit
any demonstration against Great Brit
ain, but that it may become necessary
to suspend intercourse for a time.
cannot tell what is meant by this, nor
would he give me further Information.
The attitude of the administration,
backed up by congress. is that of su-
preme egotism and self-sufficiency,
despite the position taken by the peo-
pie and the press, as shown in news
papers which are sent herewith. In
view of the uncertainty of the stiua-
ton, the enigma presented by the
United States governments attitude.
and the threat that within 4S hours all
exchange of communication will be
! deem it wise to suggest
that his majesty hold himself in readi- |
ness to make an overpowering naval
in these or Canadian
waters. if need should arise. l am
sending this by my secretary, who can
answer any questions of more peril |
nent nature as well as l could
The letter, written in the grabbed
hand of the ambassador, was slowly
read aloud, those present straining |
their hearing that no word might be |
lost, and at its conclusion they sat |
You were there, 1 believe" said the |
prime minister. slowly swinging back |
and forth in his swivel chair. and ad-
dressing the secretary. when the
news of the surrender of the Philip
pines was received"
Yes, your lordship."
What excuse had the government |
to make for such unwarranted &C.
tom"
None whatever"
DO you mean to say that they suf-
fered without protest or defense tho
surrender of fertilization which cost
millions of pounds. was adequately
equipped and able to repel successfully
the attack of such fleet as Japan
sent against So"
Yes, they even accepted it com.
placently."
From round the room came muir.
murs of amazement, while the rustic
II newspapers showed the anxiety of
hose present to CLEAN what informa-
ion they could be perusal. Losing
heir phlegmatic air of self possession
md casting Official dignity to the winds
hey bombarded Hitler with questions.
which, In the main he was unable to
answer. The voice Of the stately lord
II the admiralty rose above the others
n q sudden, insistent petulant ques.
Ion.
DO you know anything else worth
Rhile?" he asked.
NO." answered Hitler. Il have no