The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-03-17

that station Of the orient, spoke the
language thoroughly well. understood
the people. and above all was no
alarmist. He gave it as his final opin-
ion that within six months. Japan. her
navy completed, her soldiers drilled to
perfection. and her Treasury well sup
piled with gol0. would find pretext
for declaration Of war. The only
means of preventing this deplOrable
event. in his Judgment, was to place
the American navy in such state OF
pronounced superiority that it would
stay the warlike Japanese and hold
them in the leash Of awe.
The president read the last clause
again. and with sigh of discomfort
leaned back in his chair. Hour after
hour he broOded over the complexities
of the situation. and late at night came
TO the conclusion that he must lose
no time in calling together his most
trusted advisers, lay the report be-
fore them, and then by consultation
and discussion decide which would be
the most promising policy to pur-
sue in SO grave q crisis. Before
ne retired the orders were given to
his secretary which resulted in the
first meeting of that coterie of men
who were to assume the full RESPONSE
bility for the conduct Of war which
afterwards fulfilled the experts pre-
diction.
They gathered informally ON the fol-
lowing night, nor could it have been
observed by their demeanOr that they
were to discuss a situation of vital
| Importance to the nation; but, fore
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
if 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. What have
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 could
with dignity and 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 few watch logs
of the treasury Nho succeeded in de-
fsat:as everything attempted"
The president ioosed at hia, reprov-
ingly, but said noting. The others
gave him silent sympathy. knowing
that in case of disastrous war he
would be the one to stand liz the lime
light and defend himself for not work
ing miracles unaided. The gratitude
of kings was no more open to sarcasm
than the gratitude Of republics.
1.-The report says" continued the
secretary. gloomily. that war may be
anticipated in six months at the
furthest, and that cur only safeguard
is to bring our navy up to a formid-
able force before that time. Well,
We can't do it! With all the facilities
at our command We can't build ships
In night, nor drill men to man them