River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-11-19


CITY.
Oakland, TOO" gasped Jackson.
In the graz of the morning they came
to Mare island and found such vessels
of war as were gathered there, trailing
long streamers of smoke from their
stacks. their crews stripping them for
action.
Something doing pretty soon, Jack
said Stuart. nodding to the vessels
The two men went ashore and asked
for Commandant Raymond's quarters
without delay.
And while the gray dawn broke the
city awoke to surprising situation.
Throughout the major portion of the
city there had been but little disturb
ance Many knew nothing of it till
morning. The Japanese slipped out of
their boarding houses singly and by
twos and threes and slid silent as
ghosts to their rendezvous. Only in
the downtown sections, where the con-
gestion made their movements incapa-
BILE of concealment, was there any
trouble.
Thus it was that the city awoke to
find herself dominated by the guns of
the very Notifications built to defend
her and a messenger waiting at the
doors of her mayor with an ult1matum
demanding her surrender. His honor
read the communication in a voice
which shook and broke:
To the Mayor and the Civic Government.
Who Have Until the Present Day Adj
ministered the Affairs of the City of
San Francisco:
Most Honorable and Ilustrious Excel
lencies-It is with the deepest sympathy
for your position that you are hereby
called upon to surrender your city to over
whelming circumstances. You can see at
a glance that, having in our possession
the forts of your harbor, We are in a po-
sition to spare or destroy.
We are therefore inspired from a desire
to obviate needless slaughter to suggest
that if no resistance is made we will
guarantee property and life of all citizens
preserving order. The alternative we do
not wish to contemplate, as it involves
destruction and an appalling loss of life.
We would suggest further that you re-
main in office until such time as our fleet
arrives, which we expect at latest to-
night, and that in the meantime all public
services and utilities be operated as here
tofore
Upon the arrival of the commander of
our armies with the fleet martial law will
be proclaimed for time and all public
services taken over by our corps of eff
cient engineers. Therefore for the sake
of the people intrusted to your care we
demand instant and unconditional sur
render. ITO SAMATA,
Commanding Forces at Preside Forts.
Gentlemen, 100000 lives depend
l1o oh
ed. God knows what it means to ad
wise it, but | see nothing for us save
compliance. AS you know, we are cut
off from all outside communication by
rail, by wire or boat In the name OF
humanity, what can we do but submit
and await for the nation to which we
belong to deliver the final answer
AS Stuart and Jackson preferred
their request for an interview with
Commandant Raymond an aeroplane
darted up with roaring motor, rising
from the navy yard grounds and Gid
ing off to the south and west, an air
scout going forth to feel the position
in advance of the warships. waiting
orders to sail. A moment found them
in the presence of the assembled Off
GERS of the several vessels and Ray
mond himself. Raymond spoke at
once What word do you bring?"
''The Japs hold the Preside. They
beached schooner full of their men
and rushed the garrison in the dark.
A lot of Japs from the city have joined
them. Oakland was burning as we
came up, and all the wires are down
on our side
1.-The story will be confirmed or dis
proved soon now," said Colonel GotZ,
who was present lone of our men
just started on scout flight by my or
ders. When he returns we will know
about the FORTS
Raymond brought fist down upon
his desk.
"We've got to get them back" he
growled with savage avOwal. I'VE can
attack them from the land with our
marines and what men in the city will
volunteer to follow, and there'll be
lot. We can attack after the feet has
engaged from the water.
He whirled on Jackson and Stuart
"Will one or both of you return and
bear message from me to the mayor.
asking him to call for volunteers, and
in his inability to communicate with
the governor of this state to request
the national guardsmen in the city to
act in conjunction with our marines?
And, gentlemen'-to the ships officers
return to your vessels and be ready
to move as soon as the scout returns"
Quite gfavely the men about the
room inclined their heads. The chal-
lenge of the sentry at the door broke
the quiet Instantly mans voice was
heard shouting the name OF Gotz.
Orderly. open the door," directed the
colonel.
There appeared on the threshold a
lieutenant of the aviation corps. who
brought his hand to salute. Colonel"
he cried quickly as he strobe forward.
..Farrel is coming back, think Two