The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1911-05-18

turn to France, for an arrangement
there would involve the recognition OF
Russian interests. Therefore, we
sought an alliance with Germany.
'The German ambassador and my
self drafted treaty last month, with
the proviso that it must be signed
within certain period which, as you
know, will expire within few min5
utes. My Illness followed, and with it
the necessity of coming to our home,
here. I had expected to return to
Washington last week, but as Doctor
Allison forbade me to travel for a
while longer, | had the drafts of the
treaty sent on, and urged the German
ambassador to pay me a long-deferred
visit He and his suite have been
here several days, in multi.
Now, Mr. Orme, this treaty con-
Germs two important relations-a just
balance of power in the Pacific and
Just arrangement by which the coun-
tries of South America can be made
to live up to their obligations. | can
not go into details, and it will be some
months before the treaty will be made
public-but Japan must not dominate
our Pacific trade routes, and the Mon
roe doctrine must be applied in such
a manner that it will not shelter evil
doors You understand now why AL
catrante and the Japanese minister
were working together"
1T is quite clear" said Orme. L
don't wish you to tell me any more
than is advisable, but the Japanese
minister said that, if the new treaty
should lapse, the German government
would not renew it"
Very true" said the secretary.
THE German ambassador is pleased
with the treaty. After it had been
drafted, however, and after his nome
government had agreed to the terms,
Japan brought pressure to bear IN
Germany. The result of this Japa-
nese effort-which contained counter
proposition for the isolation OF RUSSIA
was that the German government
weakened--not to the point OF dlSa-
vowing the arrangement with US, but
in the event of redrafting OF the
treaty, to the adoption of a less ia
vorable basis of negotiations, or, pos
sibly, even to the interposition OF such
obstacles as would make a treaty I'M
possible. You can see how essential
these papers were to US. There was
not time to provide new copies, for
the lost drafts carried certain seals
and necessary signatures which couid
not be duplicated on short notice.
did the German ambassador know
of the loss?" Orme was encouraged
to ask questions by the secretary's
obvious desire to explain as fully as
he could.
mo one knew of it, Mr.. Orme, ex-
cepting my daughter and myself-that
is, no one besides the South Ameri-
cans and the Japanese. 1t seemed
wise to say nothing. There were no
secret sevice men at hand, and even
if there had been, l doubt if they
would have acted as efficiently as you
have acted. The police, 1 know, would
have bungled, and, above all else. pub
licity mad to be avoided.
"As things have turned out, l am
glad that Poritol set his burglar on
us When he did; otherwise Maku
would have got the treaty at the last
moment. AlcatraEte's desire to Sc
cure a diplomatic advantage over the
Japanese was really the saving Of US"
The secretary paused His face
lighted up with a rare smile. Above
everything else, Mr.. Orme. I thank
you"
He arose and rang for a servant,
And now" he continued, Il know
you will excuse me if l return to my
guests. My daughter will bring you
in presently, so that we may have the
pleasure of making you acquainted
with them And, of course, you will
remain with US till tomorrow" He
smiled again and went slowly from
the room on the arm of the servant.
Orme turned to the girl. Her face
was rosy and her eyes were fixed on
the arm of her chair.
Girl, DEAR" he said, Il can hardly
believe that it is all true"
She did not answer, and while he
gazed at her, surprised at her ST.
lence. failing to understand her sud-
den embarrassment, Bessie Walling-
ham appeared in the doorway and
stood Lesitant.
Am | still rot wanted?" said Bes-
sic, roguery in her voice. Sure, yell
find me a faithful servant. l minds
me own business and asks no ques-
| tons"
The girl rushed over to her friend.
''Oh, Bessie" she cried, with a lit
tie laugh-"Oh, Bessie, won't you
please come in and"
Orme began to understand And
wait for US a little longer" he broke
in.
Masterfully he led the girl out
through the doorway to the hall
Bessie Wallingham looked after
their retreating figures. We'll.
! neyerI" she exclaimed