The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-14
CHAPTER viIi.-Continued.

message TO. the president in order that
protection for the fleet may be assured.
CHAPTER VIIl.-continued.
The people of England were much
divided in opinion as to the advlsa-
bility of the governments move when
it became public. A strong conserva-
tive element feared the danger OF
Great Britain being involved in the
war through this actica, while the lib
eraI partisans and jingoes asserted
that 1t was the only method of uphold
ing the countrys dignity, demonstrate
ing to America that England would
do her best, and at the same time as
surfing Canada that the mother coun-
try intended to support her in case OF
attack along her border line. That
Britannia still ruled the waves was
generally doubted; for If the Ameri-
cans had in their possession means
of so easily overcoming fleet as i'm
portant as that which Japan had lost
there was almost certainty that she
could conquer any adversary sent
against her on the water. 1t was no
longer question of warfare on land;
for all the transports in the world
would be powerless against such sub
marines as the nations now con-
coded the United States must pos
sess.
Before sailing, the feet commanders
had been called into a council and
given positive instructions that they
were not to permit themselves to be
drawn into action In any event before
reaching Canada. On their arrival
they were at once to cooperate with
the dominion government in whatever
way seemed advisable at that time,
and follow such orders as might be
given from London.
The clearance, however, unlike the
sailing of that feet from Japan, was not
accompanied by any gala demonstra
ton. 1t was rather with dire mis-
givings that the public witnessed this
departure, which were to a certain
extent shared in by those aboard the
vessels; and 1t was fully realized thai
the flower of England's navy might
never return from it's voyage into an
unknown danger.
The conservative press lent funere
al attitude to the occasion in it's treat
ment of the situation, one journal de
claring that England is sending tt
magnificent martyrdom men who hat
better have been retained at home fol
their country's good" Another papel
characterized it as a useless sacri
fee" This became the general pub
| lie opinion within few days, as re
ports from Canada continued gloom.
and showed no prospect of rift with
, In the clouds.
The music halls. always an indie,
to the popular view, found their great
est hits In topical songs which wer'
generally of the tenor that the great
grand, glorious and gorgeous British
tar had sailed away to do or die
with the accent on the "die." A ger
} eral air of melancholy prevailed owe
all England, and as the days went OF
and the fleet itself got beyond reacl
+ of the wireless telegraph stations ant
far out On deserted ocean, the sen
| timent was one of acute expectancy
. The admiralty was advised of tn
. arrival without incident of Hitler, an
apprised of the fact that he had dc
cided to make his attempt to eros
into the forbidden land unaidee
There was certain sense of satisfat
ton in the knowledge that good an
efficient man was on the ground wit
: at least chance for success in hi
endeavors.
: This beatific state of mind was dill
e PEELED one bright afternoon, and Emf
i land thrown into furore that scarc'
o ly could have been greater had on
of the mysterious submarines al
peared off it's shores and begun bon
e harding the nearest city. It was lih
/, an intimation of disaster delivered
!. advance of more terrible news.
= The black hull of a South America
tramp steamer hove into sight beyoT