The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-07
CHAPTER vIl.-continued.


One day, two days, and three, passed
before Japan felt anxiety, or the world
began it's discussion as to the cause
of the long delay. Then, when the
fleet was more than week overdue
it became almost certainty that
some disaster had overtaken it, al
though from no section of the sea had
there been typhoon reported or any
thing but excellent barometric condi-
tons. 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 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. It 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 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.
It 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 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 1t 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 obliteration of a
feet of warships, transports and col
liers. 1t would be nearly impossible
to spare lives in such battle, and
1t seemed certainty that the great
steel monsters that had sailed away
to easy conquest had become mere
metal coffins for those who manned
them, and were now resting some.
where on the floor of the needless Pa.
/ cific. If such was the case, it was
] time the United States ceased to ex.
list as nation, when peopled by in.
human monsters who calmly slew
their adversaries when threatened.
Japan was left a helpless little is
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 few weeks before she had been
exalted in glory. She plaintively be-
walled the barbarities of her enemy
and proudly pointed to her own 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. Il
J was country of desolation.
There was hardly prominent home
Il
In Japan which had not contributed
some member of its family to thai
splendid navy which had sailed sc
proudly away when early June wa.
spreading its flowers over the empire;
now there were sobs of bereavement
and woe.
Across the ancient lands of The
Pharaohs and up through the prov
inces Of kings there swept unani
nous desire for an explanation. |
could come from only one source
this land Of mystery which had Gu
itself off from all the world and stoot
j silent, guarding its secret, and sud
j denly grown ominous In its possibili
ties and potentialities.