The Columbus journal., 1909-02-03
ILLUSTRATED
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HMzZ

UeCOUtS d IdSdSlAS Nlu uS'
populating the seas.
In the meantime, while all this con.
sternation prevailed and the heads OF
nations, fearful and trembling. specu-
lated as to the outcome, the sailor
from the DreadnOught was being
watched and cared for by the most
distinguished savants and specialists
of the old world. There lowered over
his bedside through every minute OF
the day men dispatched by every
European power. VINO were doing all
that science might suggest to bring
this lo2e and STRICKEN mariner back
to sanity. and let him give tongue to
what he knew Of this scourge of the
waters. Hourly bulletins CT his con.
dition We're posted en- street corners.
end round these stood men and Won
ca in suspense. His least word was
recorded as CT monumental impor.
lance, in the hope that from some
Granny CT his wrecked mind might
come some calculating phrase, how.
ever slight. The most important
thing that apparently could be relied
upon was that whatever the form Of
attack lad been, it was observed be-
fore the blow was struck. This was
shown by his repeatedly exclaiming:
Its coming! It's coming! It'll ge! US.
sure, ana We can't fight back"
And so the nations watched by the
bedside of a common sailor. From
Japan came long messages of con.
dolence to her ally, which were re-
ceiyed in a spirit of fellow suffering.
The pecuiiarities Of the situation
were in nowise lessened by reports
from Canada. where the troops still
maSsed along the border maintained
friendly spirit, committed no acts Of
encrcachment. showed no apprehcE.
sion Of war, and seemed as ignorant
of their own governments plans CT
what it had done as were the Cana
dams themselves. Indeed, their mys-
LITIGATION over the disappearance OF
the japanese and British fleets was as
complete as that of the most humble
farmer On the Canadian frontier. Their
officers, shocked by the terrific news,
FASTENED to give statements to the
effect that their instructions were to
avoid giving offensc, as the United
States had no intention of engaging in
war with Great Britain. Coupled with
the loss of the feet, these interviews
seemed singularly inconsistent, it be-
Ing impossible to reconcile annihila-
ton on the sea and cry for peace on
land.
1t was generally admitted in Eng.
land that Canada was now IL a help
less position and completely at the
mercy Of a weildrilled and we'll
equipped army alcng her borders,
which was undoubtedly within con.
slant reach OF supplies and reinforce.
nents. The futility Of any attempt
either to relieve or to aid her by
sending more men across the Atlantic.
now absolutely under the control OF
the Americans, was obvious. 1t began
to appear to the British government
that the United States was deliberate
ly planning to take the dominion OF
Canada whenever she deemed the time
opportune. That she could now do so
at her own convenience was unques
toned.
An exasperating condition was the
attitude of the Canadians themselves,
who, as far as appearances went. were
in a state Of the utmost placidity. In.
deed, the farmers along the border
were prosperous and thriving through
the increased demand for their sup
plies. which the American quarter
masters purchased literally, and for
which they invariably paid American
gold. 1t actually seemed as if an era
of good feeling was being established
across the boundary. The loss of the
fleet threatened a rupture for brief
time; but the province, now con.
WINGED of the hopelessness of taking
an active side either way, showed an
inclination to stand aloof and remain
absolutely neutral It was agreed be.
tween the officials of the dominion and
those of Great Britain that Canada
could do nothing but endeavor as best
she might to remain passive pending
further Developments.
This lack Of partisanship proved
anything but an assistance to Hitler
in his attempt to break through the
Gordon. and it was this as much as
anything else that hampered him in
his mission.