The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-04-28

deemed that all risk of discovery
should be obviated, even though other
methods of transportation were COM
paratively snaillike.
And SO the months went on with ac-
tivity at the key, placidity in the ad-
ministration, and preparations for an
onslaught IN Japan. AS the work of
construction advanced, Norma found
respite to make occasional brief visits
to Washington, where her time was
monopolized by Hitler. who did not
dream of his forthcoming trip to Lon
don; but ''Old Bill Roberts came no
more to the capital.
Now began that series of orders
which subjected the men at the head
of the government to their greatest
trial. Work was stopped on all forth
fications. beginning with those in the
Philippines. It was accepted by the
public as a foolish curtailment of ex-
pense. Before this had ceased to
rankle in the public mind construction
ceased in nearly all the navy yards;
but the clamor then arose to such a
pitch that outwardly 1t was resumed,
being done for appearances sake only
and to prevent a revolution.
So dangerous was the pitch Of in
dignation that some of the presidents
advisers quailed before the show of
wrath, and feared that an army of
Americans might march on Washing
ton. They besought the president to
alter his plans and make broadcast an
nouncement of the state of defense;
but he, his Americanism exceeded only
by his humanitarianism, stood stead
fast. His answer was characteristic:
If our secret becomes known,
there will be no war, and war is a ne
cessity for our purpose. In our hands
has been given by a miracle the most
deadly engine ever conceived, and we
should be delinquent in our duty If we
failed to use 1T as means for con-
trolling and thereby ending wars for
all time. Let us bear with fortitude
whatever reproaches may be heaped
upon us, for We are the instruments of
God. and the trial will last only a lit
tie longer. Let no man speak,"
His eyes famed with inspiration,
and, like a prophet of old, he led his
followers in his own footsteps. In
those trying times he was very near to
the God in whom he believed, and
only the walls of his room knew how
often he appealed for light and guild
ance, trembling in spiritual agony.
and. like the martyrs of all ages, cru
CITED by his fellows.
Events began to move with light
ming like rapidity as May approached.
Secret orders had been given to all
the principal ships in Pacific waters to
withdraw into neutral harbors. 1t be.
ing the wish of the men who were
playing the stern game that all pos.
sible loss of life through accidental
meetings might be obviated. Pacific
commerce withdrew from the western
seas. believing itself unprotected and
the administration mad. From all
sources of information came the Ger
tain reports that Japan was about to
attack. Her communications became
daily more insolent; but were invari-
ably treated with suave contempt.
And then came a day which brought
the most portentous news.
The first was a message from the
key that DR.. Roberts had broken
down. 1t was from Brockton. who
made pitiful appeal to the secretary
of the navy to find Norma and either
give permission for her to be brought
back by a radioplane. or to have her
sent at once by special train to Mi
ami. inasmuch as she, being the sole
sharer of her fathers secret, was now
the only one who could be depended
upon for the metamorphosis of the