The Columbus journal., 1909-05-26

time of justification approaching. His
hour of triumph was at hand, and his
prayers were being answered.; but the
task was not yet done.
The unqualified victory over the
japanese fleet made the outcome of
the war a certainty: hence it was with
patience that the administration
waited for the next move in the far
east, which must OF necessity come
China. There was no doubt that she
would assist her ally. At first this
seemed an imminent action; but sew
eral days passed bringing through the
secret service no news save that her
fleet, huge and we'll manned, was
making preparations to sail. The
president. knowing that for the accom-
plishment OF his purpose oriental
power mus. be broken. INDUCED in the
fervent hooe that the attack might
come sool. .
There was less trouble internally,
as the people were beginning to have
faith in the administration, though
they were specializing as to what
course of procedure was being fol-
lowed. 1t was while affairs were in
this condition that the sailing of the
through secret channels of informa-
ton. The cOterie saw before it the
necessity Of either abandoning the
hone of teaching China drastic lesson
and announcing its secret to the world
or meeting the British squadrons and
Of peace They chose the latter alter
native, and thereby was caused the
strangest chapter in the history OF war
Like that other sally outward to the
western seas. this one was timely. It
was made when the British fleet might
be met beyond the reach of wireless
telegraph communication. and the Pc
parture from the key was also under
cover of darkness. Again there was a
resemblance to the Japanese affair,
in, that the appearance of the radio
planes created surprise and consterna-
ton on the warships. Here, however,
the similarity ended. The Anglo
Saxon mind knows no such thing as
surrender when once it is stirred to
the depths of its stubbornness. 1t can
read only two answers to the riddle
CT conflict-victory or death-as has
been attested by many hard-fought
battle on land and sea.
The armada of Great Britain had
sailed with apprehensicns, being fully
cogniZant that it was invading a terri
tory of mystery and danger, and the
vigilance of its watch. therefore, was
caused by the first sight of the aerial
feet was Immediately followed by a
hurried clearing of the decks for &C.
ton. although defeat in a battle
against such overpowering odds was a
foregone conclusion. No gun was
fired, however. and all stood expec-
family awaiting declaration of intent
from the monsters of the air which
had come upon them in the full glare
of the afternoon sun.
With slow and stately majesty the
radioplanes approached, each flying
the flag of the United States and be-
meath it the emblem of truce. The
Dreadnought, answering sluggishiy
to the swell and hurting great cascades
Of water from its bow, was in the
heart of the formation, and in its pom
derous might seemed fearless of any
thing afloat. Toward it the foremost
radioplane directed its course. drop
ping steadily down until full abreast
and on level with the great fighting
tops. while the officers of the battle
ship watched with amazement its
splendid control. Not till then was
there visible display of life aboard
it. A port opened and into the black
mes: Of its frame Bevins emerged,