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

to take the risk of meeting tnose te
rible submarines, which were capaDle
in a night of destroying the most CON-
nlete flotilla that ever had beeEmoDll'
lied and sent away? If they my
knew what form these monsters tooK'
what dire warning they gave as tney
advanced to the attack, there might
he some means of offsetting them or
perhaps repelling them. That 1n1or'
nation, at any cost, must be gained
In it's reaching out for anything which
might suggest a way. the BRUSH HILL
istry sent for Hitler.
Guy. sleepless and worn from nignts
and days of anxiety, responded to tne
call, l~istlessly wondering what furtner
information he could give as to the slt'
uation in America, or what IT any duty
could be expected of him when the
ministry itself was unable to accom-
plish anything.
He was ushered into the room
where on several previous occasions
he had answered questions, and found
there the same men who had met him
on the day of his arrival In ondon
but there was a different attitude this
time, however, and the officials before
him seemed anxious and Ill at ease.
Plainly they were ready for any sug
gestion he might offer, or any measure
that might seer possible.
"Mr. Hitler" the lord of the ad-
miralty began, Gin all the time you
were in Washington did any rumors
or stories or information reach you re-
garding some new form of submarine
boat projected, or being experimental
with, by the United States govern
ment?"
At first, on impulse, he almost an
swered NO." but before his lips could
formulate the m~onosyllable there sud
denly returned to his memory several
conversations he had had with DR..
Roberts on this subject, and also he
r%ecollected that in n of these talks
Norma had participated. There was
no reason so far as he could think
why he should conceal this knowl-
edge.
EYES," he replied, II do know some
thing of the subject, but nothing tan
gible or of value. That which recurs
to me is a conversation I had a few
months ago with a scientific inventor
who is a friend of mnie."
"And his name, pray"
"Dr. William Roberts,"
Every man in the room gave a
start and looked at his .neighbor. The
mention of the name seemed to have
affected them. The prime minister
repeated it as an exclamation. THAT
is the man," he said, "who is supposed
to have gone insane, but who at M
time, according to secret reports,
was working on some electrical dis
covery which might be utilized for an
improved submarine. What do you
know of it?"
II know only this" he said, that
DR.. Roberts told me he believed it
perfectly feasible so to use electricity
through metal as to change its struc-
ture and at the same time lessen the
resistance, or skin friction, through
the water of a boat so constructed"
"Were you at the time discussing
subnaarines?"
eyes, we were. The subject arose
through his describing certain ex-
per1ments in which he and his daugh-
ter were then engaged. Ills contention
was that a submarine could never be
made totally effective unless it gained
a speed so far beyond anything known
that it could traverse great distances
and maneuver with such rapidity that
it would be practically immune from
attack"
This then must be the solution! and
;le read in the faces of his i%nterroga-
tors that they so accepted it. There
was a chorus of questions which he
could not answer. He admitted his lack
of technical enlightenment, and also
that he had no knowledge of what
success had resulted from the expert.
ments. Nothing of a valuable nature
had been given to him at the time of
that or any other conversation. But
he had made 1t certain in the minds
of his superiors that, though they
might not know the secret of the sub.
marines which had destroyed the
Japanese feet, they at least were
aware what form Of attack might be
expected in case of war. In the nature
Of things it could afford no solace; but
might assist in obviating danger.
He listened to the discussion, and
felt that he should be given leave to
60, now that he had told all he knew;
but he was again brought to the fore
by q question.
I'VE understand you are personally
on very pleasant and friendly terms
with the president Of the United
States?"
Yes, l think So"
DO you believe that IL you were
In Washington you could gain an
audience with him through his friend.
ship and deliver into his W hands a
message from our governments"
Eyes, II I was in Washington: but
It now seems inaccessible"
The prime minister, to whom the
others looked, reached over and picked
up a paper knife with which he idly
tapped on the table where lay a map.
'Mr. Hitler" he said, I'VE are about
TO send you on q very important Jour.