The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-19
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By ". H0h Wh'fs.



palace had been half-sullen and halt'
enthusiastic. Strong had been con
scious OF this. although far too oecu'
pied 10 note individual or even collee-
/ tive expressions ot feeling among MS
subjects.
( And this very preoccupauon s'oou
him in good stead. for II had imparteu
/ 10 him a certain aloofness or manner
which. II It did not exactly appeal 10
the people OF Bomberg. al least I'M
pressed them
He had need 10 be preoccupied Tor
| his time had oeen so fully taken UP
! with many matters al the palace thal
until he mounted his horse he hau not
had a moment in which 10 think out
what re should say 10 the representa-
tiyes OF the nation which he had stolen
against is will
There had come 10 him. however. an
inspiration. Now, without a moment
thought. he acted upon the prompiihgs
of his heart.
lie rose up from his seat and al
dressed the house before him In tones
that were quiet. almost placid. out
which none the more conveyed To MS
and strength OF purpose.
M. Stalvan and gentlemen ne
said II stand as an allen monarch
amid a halfhostile people Since
returned TO Bomberg | have ALREADY
seen sufficiently into the workings Oh
nv peoples minds 10 realize thls-
that IL only could gain their entire
confidence all would be well, but tna'
al the present moment | am In secre.
regarded as half mounteback ana
half a bully who seeks to take advan-
tage OF people who are helpless.
at is my most earnest desire that
all my subjects should rid themselves
OF this impression. | say my SUI
iects advisedly, because those people
whom one controls must OF necessity
he subject 10 one And ! wish IL 10
be distinctly and clearly understood
that | control you. have already In
timated 10 my people what my designs
are towards them and towards the rest
OF the world. Those designs are good.
Though | have waded TO the throne
through blood, my aim is the last great
peace of all.
II shall achieve this whether | meet
with opposition or not. II will be bet
ter for you and for me, II opposition
Is not forthcoming. | leave that mat
ter in your hands.
Whether | meet with opposition or
not. the end will be the same. and In
the achieving OF II | shall consider
neither principalities nor powers. nor
individual states. nor individual cities.
Herewith, and with the knowledge
and therefore the firm conviction that
can prove my words. | declare my
self dictator OF the world!
Il have already. as the result or A
deputation from the civic authorities
OF this city. perceived that II is aoso-
lutely necessary for me TO give myself
some qualification and title. VIII
teach Bahama TO despise great pow
ers-I will teach you TO think little OF
the name OF emperor and king.
choose for myself. and hereby declare
myself to be Dictator And the mode
OF address which | require OF you Is
that OF your mightiness.
And here | must say that, while |
have condescended To meet the elected
re representatives. OF the people here.
must now refuse to regard you any
longer as the representatives OF the
people. TIL have been able to re-
store peace to the world, and To clear
ly lay the foundations OF the millen-
ium, elect 10 rule alone. NV word is
law, and will be law SO long as there
Is breath In my body. And | would
implore you for your own sakes not
10 imagine that the courtesy | now ex-
tend to you Is recognition OF any
rights which you may claim. | am
dictator, and you will and that rule
alone"
For moment Strong paused 10
letsurely enjoy the looks OF stupefac-
ton and resentment with which his
speech was greeted.
And while he paused the little rat
faced Mayor Schaur sprang to his feet
and had he not been checked would
have burst into a torrent OF protesta
ton and abuse. But Strong, such was
the influence that his sheer audacity
exerted over the assembly, checked
him with an uplifted hand.
BE silent" he cried. BE silent
Your duties as representative OF tho
people OF Bahama are at an end. This
parliament is dissolved. | rule alone
am dictator"
He lifted his hand and buried his
face In his brass helmet. His attitudc
conveyed the idea OF his devotion t.
the over-awed men. who stared al hin
with a new comprehension in theil
eyes.
fTo ne Co,fiuuedl