The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-10-10

| when you realize that war is coming
coming as sure as guns, and then
consider our unpreparedness for lit
makes you glad it's Spain and not
someone else"
Il think the naYy's pretty fit, sir.
ventured Holton.
"Ah. the navy, And the army"
The words came out like bullets. THE
navy is all right, and the army, too,
what there is OF ii. The fighting men
OF both arms OF the service are the
best this world ever saw: getting
things started. that is the trouble.
Well, thank Heaven Deweys-" the
assistant secretary stopped short, and
craning his neck forward, character
istically thrust his square jaw close
TO the officers face. We've all got to
do the best we can and be sure that
when the blow comes it will come
from, and not toward US"
Holton nodded slightly.
Il liked your action in diving over
board and resCuing two OF your men
last summer" resumed Mr.. Roosevelt.
And | may say that study Of your
record has convinced me that just at
present little respite from duties
aboard the Scorpion will accrue to our
mutual advantage"
The assistant secretary paused, and
then as Holton made no reply, he con
tinued:
I'VE are not yet at war with Spain
not yet, and in the meantime | think
IL will be just as well for you to re-
main in fairly close touch with my Of
hve-personal touch. by the way,
there's a ball at the Willard tonight"
"a BALI" exclaimed Holton. Then
he caught himself. Yes, sir" he add
ed
yes. ball at the Willard. Here Is
card-youll note it is a personal is>
vitatlon to you"
Holton glanced at II.
81 see it, sir" He hesitated. Il am
merely, merely 10 so there and
dance? | mean-mean. sir, are there
any Instructions"
81 should keep my eyes and ears
open If were you"
Yes, sir, I'll do that. and | hope I'll
be able to be OF some service" he was
rising to go Unconstitutional I'm
afraid | lack-that is, and" Holton
paused and glanced irresolutely at his
chief
That you lack definite information"
said the assistant secretary, who seem
ed to have the faculty Of reading his
thoughts and expressing them before
Holton himself could frame them in
suitable. or. well say, diplomatic
terms.
why, yes, sir-I have feeling that
the situation is indefinite"
Yes. Sit down, Mr.. Holton." IIol-
ton resumed his chair and his chief
leaned forward. talking rapidly in
low tone.
Here is the nub of the situation"
he began. "In the first place we have
reason. excellent reasons. for suspect
ing that there are certain elements
among the Cubans, both in the United
States and in Havana. that are strong.
ly inclined 10 doubt the good faith of
the United States in this brewing trou-
bic with Spain"
Holton, thrilled by the promise Of
revelations which these opening words
conveyed. thrilled, also, by his Undue
tiou into the inner affairs of the gov
ernment mill, flushed and regarded the
eyeglasses turned toward him. with
unblinking eyes, impatient for the next
word
Naturally" continued Mr.. Roose-
velt" the Cubans are eager TO avail
themselves OF our armed forces afoat
and ashore, but after the work is all
done they want us to clear out. Which,
Of course, we shall do, having first es.
tablished some decent and stable sys-
tenn Of government down there"
II had not any idea our good faith
was in question" observed Holton
1T is" was the reply. "and 1t is