River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-11-26


- 7th of October a messenger
sssNsS aroused Secretary of War
80 - Barrison and handed him a
wireless message in code. He turned
to his translation key and read it:
On Board Destroyer Hornet.
Secretary of War Barrison, Washington,
ID. c.:
sir-Tor Gods sake recall fleet from
Vera Cruz and order to intercept Japanese
fleet now reported in neighborhood of
Azores! Have definite information at
last Great trouble in getting to coast
explains delay.
Am certain of approach from west of
japanese fleet supposed to be in home
waters. Was modified at Yezo six weeks
ago and equipped to war footing. Sailed
by far northern route. Have reason to
believe it equipped at Yezo with new and
very potential weapon in nature OF aerial
bomb exact character unknown.
Fleet in Atlantic probably equipped with
new bomb before sailing last August.
Get Carton out of Mexico at earliest
possible moment. Mexican war a trick to
divert our forces to unfavorable positions.
H-Z NO. /.
Early as it was, he was determined
to wait upon the president at once and
lay this matter before him. He enter
ed his mOtOrcar, directed the driver to
the White House and settled back in
his seat his face grave and lined with
the import Of the message he carried.
1t was from his secret agent in the
City of Mexico The doorman at the
White House came back and informed
him that President ellison would see
him at once, turned and led him to the
sleeping apartments of the nations ex-
ecutive head
President Gibson had risen and
thrown a robe about his night gar
ments as Barrison came in.
Mr. President" said Barrison,
nothing short of great peril could
have brought me so early"
Peril" Gison's voice rose sharply.
YES" Barrison bowed and extend
ed his translation of the message from
H-Z No. l.
President ellison took it and read it
through in haste. When he had fin
ished he lifted amazed eyes to Barri-
sons face. So for a tense moment the
two men stood staring mutely. Then
the president spoke:
And you would adviser
Doing exactly what he suggests"
ellison handed back the message and
stood for moment wrapped in deep
thought. 1--WE had best get Secretary
Ryan and Secretary Manuels OF the
navy" he began at length. Il will join
you in ten minutes. You will breakfast
here and wait for Ryan and Manuels."
Alone in the presidents office. Barri-
son called up the cabinet members.
Ryan and Manuels. and conveyed the
need of their immediate presence.
Then he rang up Gethelds and told him
to get word to his board associates and
be ready to meet the three heads of de-
partments on call.
Secretary Ryan arrived after Barri-
son had joined ellison. Before the two
who had awaited his arrival could arise
from their places he cast another writ
ten slip of paper on the table between
them
I received that just before starting"
he began quickly. Read it. 1t is from
Jackson of California. as you will see.''
Barrison snatched it up and read it
aloud:
japanese throughout southern and west
ern parts of state believed to have risen
during night. All wire communication
with larger centers cut off.
JACKSON, Governor.
my God.' President ellison straight
ened in his chair
The secretary of the navy came in.
caught glimpse of the tense faces be
fore him and paused. Gibson spoke: