Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-02-02

SGSSY permitted temporarily to oc'
cupy under the terms OF the
Berlin treaty. 1t will be remembered
that, following upon Turkeys success
full rebellion against Abdul Hamid and
his deposition. Count o Aerenthal.
the Austrian foreign secretary. effect
ed this coup d'etat in the race or Ser
Wan and Russian remOnstrances, and
nearly provoked a European war.
For several weeks the situation was
critical. England and France promised
Russia material support should she
dxaw the sword against the Austrian.
Then Germany stepped to Austria's
side and flung down her gauntlet in
the face of Europe. And Russia yield
ed, threw over the western powers
with their proffered assistance and rat
flied Austria in her high-handed action.
Nothing had created so great a sensa-
ton in a couple of decades. Why,
with France and England backing her,
did Russia play the craven? l think
l can for the first time supply the an
swer to the mystery.
l was living In my chambers in Half
Moon street, P~iccadilly, awaiting a
summons from the government, when
n morning, SO early that the shops
had scarcely taken down their shut
ters, a messenger came dashing up my
stairs demanding my Immediate pres
nee at Buckingham palace, where the
king was then in residence. l hurried
thither in a taxicab, and was ushered
into the royal library. There l found
King Edward and Sir Edward Grey,
the foreign secretary, together. Sir
Edward Grey was dishevelled and his
features had the haggard aspect one
looks for in a man of middle life who
has been up all night. The king, al
though immaculate as he always is.
seemed almost as distressed. When |
entered, his majesty came cordially
toward me.
Captain Adams" he began, this is
a problem which even you will hardly
solve, l fear. Nevertheless, If you can
suggest n possible solution, l shall
be indebted vastly to you. Now
these are the facts:
LAS you are of course aware, Eng
land and France have offered Russia
armed support in the event of her ia
king up arms against the German and
Austrian pretensions and champfoning
Servia, who claimed the reversion
Of the two provinces which Austria
has occupied. FOR several weeks the
affair has hung fire. But Austria has
brought it to an issue. An ultimatum
has been sent to Servia, demanding
that she withdraw all claim to the two
provinces within seventy-two hours.
Servia has been t~elegraphing frantical-
ly to st. Petersburg, asking whether
Russia will support her in her defiance
of the Austrians. The ultimatum ex-
pires on Tuesday evening at six
o'clock. THAT day at noon the car
meets his counsellors to debate his an
swer. The answer means peace or
war for Europe.
I'VE consider it of the utmost conse-
quence that Nicholas defy the Ger
mans and announce to Servia his I'M
qualified support Of her demands. 1t
will mean war; but war is better than
acquiescence in a contemplate act Of
s%poliation. Will the car declare for
wal dAo oSSSPS Jul ~ So yoo
know, Captain Adams, his mind is al
most that of a simpleton-I only say
what you are doubtless we'll aware of.
He falls, during such times as these,
into a state Of profound m~elancholia,
in which, unable to speak, barely to
recognize those around him, he obeys
automatically the command of his ad-
visers.
Who are his advisers? Philippe,
the magician and medium who pre-
tends to summon up the spirit of his
father, Alexander I'LL, really a plant
tool in the hands of the grand dukes,
Michael, Alexis and the rest-all Ger
manophile. General Kaulbars leads the
pro-German party; General Linievitch
Is almost the sole advocate Of our
claims. Nevertheless, at present LIME
witch is in the ascendency. 1t is be-
lieved the ear will urge Servia to defy
Germany.
Nov we come to the point. To pre-
vent Nicholas from assisting Servia,
Philippe and Kaulbars and the grand
dukes have entered into a conspiracy.
Unless he telegraphs an affirmative re-
Spouse to Servia's plea on Tuesday
morning she will surrender to Austria
and all will be lost. To prevent this
response from being given, the car
is to be put out of the way for twenty
four hours. On Monday afternoon,
when he goes for his accustomed drive
in his steei coach, which was built to
protect him against assassination, the
doors will be bolted and the horses
urged at a furious pace into the depths
of the forest, where Nicholas will be
marooned, left lost and stranded, to
find his way back too late Tor action,
apparently the victim Of circum-
stances. Now, how can we prevent
this? We cannot acquaint hin with
the plot; his creatures stand too near
the throne to allow our approach in
private"
Even while the king talked a thought
had taken root in my mind. Yet. sc
daring was 1t, l hardly dared give
tongue to it. At last said:
"If we could substitute a double for
the car, to appear in council on
Tuesday morning and send the dis
patch to Servia in his
who is there?" cried the ) king
winciag, l thought. But / had gone too
far to hesitate.
His royal highness, the Prince Of
Wales" , answered.