The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-05-21

q secret code which has never gone
beyond the hands Of the most conf
Dental men In my department. and 10
my surprise received absolute con-
frmation. To you Of the army | will
say that before this verifcation was
received. your general and here he
turned TO his white-haired confrere.
had been the recipient OF a command
from the secretary Of war Of the
United States couched In almost the
same terms
AT the conclusion Of his speech
this hne old man sank back into his
chair with bowed head as II the dis
grace OF his country was his own.
There was q more or less dignified dis
cussion participated In by the older
officers present; but interrupted now
and then by some Of the younger men.
who favored totally ignoring the or
ders and defending the islands to the
death. The cooler heads among them
prevailed and at last IL, was recos-
nized that there was no alternative
save absolute and unqualified surren-
der.
Before the meeting could be Official
ly dispersed the sullen boom Of gun
came heavily from the sea. reverberat-
ing through the room. The men
sprang 20 their feet and rushed to
ward the exit, knowing that war was
upon them. but that their hands were
tied as hopelessly as though bound
with manacles of steel.
There. within range OF their OWE
heavier guns. foated q formidable feet
from Japan. Even while their con-
ference was in progress. cruiser after
cruiser and floating forts OF steel had
crept up over the horizon. The Jap
anese gunners were testing their
range: but no damage had been done.
| saw a procession Of crestfallsn men.
going as IL TO a funeral. enter their
fortress gates and silently gather
round the great flagstaff. from which
nosted a hitherto unsullied banner. A
grim old man grown gray In war and
SCARED with the marks OF many bat
ties. walked to the halyards. gave
them pull and brought nuttering 70
the ground the flag under which be
had fought so valiantly. A colonel Of
his stan took from the hands Of an
orderly a cloth Of white. the emblem
the world over OF defeat with or with
out honor. fastened IL into the Idle
loops and pulled II aloft-
The general a warrior no longer.
but a hesrt-broken old man. turned
away from his colleagues. walked
across the parade. and the door II his
quarters closed upon him. Several
other members Of his stan did ike
wise. and still others stood silent on
the ramparts. watching the outcome
Of this event. The ships ceased firing.
and. as II perpieIed BY this unNar-
ranted outcome. seemed 10 be com
municating with each other. dexter
ously wigwagging signal after signal
A torpedo boat destroyer slowly seps
rated itself from the hOtills and came
suspicicEsly Messing It's way toward the
land. winding IN and out as II fearing
coating mines or sInken engines o.
destruction.
AS IL nesred the shore. It vas seen
that on its black deck stood the sd-
m.rzl Of the feet. together with mis-
st2f. They were met az the landing
BY a deputstion u officers. both civil
and military. who escorted them 70
the fort. No one can depict the ex-
yressiOns. half surprise and half In
guiry. which oyerspread the coun-
tenances Of this Insignificant invading
force. A party Of legs than ten men
without arms was actually accom-
yliEhing the most remarkable con
quest in all history.
AT the entrance to this city OF
masonry and steel. equipped with
silent monsters Of warfare. embodyirg
all the latest and most formidable In
struments % ofense and defense.
built TO Withstand the onslaught OF the
combined naYies and armiez- Of the
world. stood the sallen, shamefaced
officers Of the yanquished garrison, the
gilt OF their full dress uniforms un.
furnished by powder or smoke. and
shining garishly In a midday sun
There. drawn up In line, were men
who would have fought TO death and
gone eKultantiy out into another world
rather than face the disgrace which
had been heaped upon them by an un.
worthy clique OF superlors In Office.
The Japanese admiral advanced 20
the sacrificed but not defeated gen
eral and extended his hand. Offering
the commonplace courtesies OF the
day. There was no need OF an inter
prefer, the head Of the victorious force
speaking the English he had learned
At the United States Naval academy.
In which he had been educated.
Am ! right. SIR he said. in con.
strung that white flag you raised as a
sign Of truce? And II that 10 so,
should like 20 be Informed as to why
at the same time you lowered the
United States nag from the peak7'
THE general. choked with mortifica.
ton. hesitated for a moment. and then
found himself unable to express his
REIMBURSEMENT In words. He slowly
withdrew his sword from its belt
hooks. and held 1t. hilt formost. to
yafl r. sdpifal. Who seemed vnabls