The Columbus journal., 1909-02-03

10 Japan seems successful Japan an
nounces intention to attack seaports:
and whole world becomes convinced that
United States has some powerful war
agency. England decides to send a fleet
20 American waters as a Canadian pro-
lection against what the British suppose
is a terrible submarine fiotilla- Hitler is
also sent 10 Canada to attempt To force
his way through American lines with
message TO the president in order that
protection for the fleet may be assured.
CHAPTER vIlI.-continued.
The people of England were much
divided in opinion as to the advisa-
biiity of the governments move when
il became public. A strong conserva-
tive element feared the danger of
Great Britain being involved in the
war through this action, while the lib
eral partiSanS and jingoes asserted
that il was the only method Of uphold
ing the country's 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 a feet 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 a 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 fleet commanders
had been called into council and
given positive instructions that they
were not 10 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
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 it was fully realized that
the flower of England's navy might
never return from its voyage into an
unknown danger.
The conservative press lent funere-
al attitude to the occasion in its treat
ment of the situation. one journal de-
claring that England is sending to
magnificent martyrdom men who had
better have been retained at home for
their country's good" Another paper
characterized it as a useless Sacri-
flee" This became the general pub
lie opinion within a few days. as re-
ports from Canada continued gloomy
and showed no prospect of rift with
in the clouds.
The music halls. always an index
10 the popular view, found their great
est hits in topical songs which were
SSHSlails VI tuS tSEOI tudt llS siedl
grand, glorious and gorgeous British
tar had sailed away to Go or die
with the accent On the die" 4 gen.
eral air of melancholy prevailed over
all England. and as the days went on
and the feet itself got beyond reach
of the wireless telegraph stations and
far out on deserted ocean. the SEN
timent was one of acute expectancy.
The admiralty was advised of the
arrival without incident of Hitler. and
apprised of the fact that he had de-
cided to make his attempt to cross
into the forbidden land unaided
There was a certain sense of Satisfac-
ton in the knowledge that good and
efficient man was on the ground with
at least chance for success in his
endeavors.
This beatific state of mind was dis
PEELED one bright afternoon. and Eng
land thrown into a furore that scarce
~ could have been greater had one
IF the mysterious submarines ap-
peared of its shores and begun bonn
harding the nearest city. 1t was like
an intinatiOn of disaster delivered in
advance of more terrible news.
The black hull of South American
tramp steamer hove irto sight beyond
Fastnet, and instituted a rapid inter-