Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-10

come the word that the Browns have
fired the first shot-as they must
when We cross the frontier-that thew
have bean killing our soldiers. This
VIII make the racial spirit of every
man reaDond. Having decided for
war. every plan is worthy that helps
10 victory"
1T seems fiendisk!" exclaimed the
premier In answer to a thought eddy
ing in the powerful current Of his
brain. 'Fiendish with calculation,
but merciful, as you say"
"a fast. terrific campaign! A ready
machine taking the roadi" westerling
declared. LESS suffering than If we
went to war oarelessly for long oam-
paisn-than u we allowed sentiment
to intexSere With intellect"
II like 9Uszr energy. your whit" said
the premier adn1izingiy. "And about
the declaration OF war7 We shall
time that to your purpose"
Declarations Of war before strik-
ing, by nations taking the aggressive,
are a disadvantage" westerling ex-
planned. They are going out of prac-
tice. Witness the examples of japan
against Russia and the Balkan allies
against Turkey. In these days deo-
larations are not necessary ~ a warn
ing of what is going to happen. They
belong to the etiquette of fencers."
Yes, exactly. The declaration of
var and the ambassadors passports
win be prepared and the wire that
fighting has begun will release them"
agreed the premier
yet IL we did lose! II when l had
given you all you ask your plans went
wronsi II our army were broken to
pieces on the frontier and then the
nation, kept In ignorance of events,
learned the truth"-the premier enun-
ciated slowly and pointedly while he
locked glances with WesterlIng-"that
is the end for US both You would
hardly want to return to the capital
to face public wrath"
I'VE must win though we lose a
million men!" he answered. "T stake
my lifei" he cried hoarsely, striking
his fist on the table.
You stake your life!" repeated the
premier with slow emphasis.
Il dol" said Westerling. "Yes, my
life. We cannot fall"
Then 1t will be war, II the people
want it," said the premier. 81 shall
not resist their desire!" he added in
his official manner, at peace with his
conscience
Partow was great brain set on an
enormous body Partow's eyes had
the fire of youth at sixty-fve, but the
pendulous flesh of his cheeks was
pasty. Jealousy and faction had en-.
deavored for years TO remove him
from his position at the head of the
army on account of age. New govern
ments decided as they came In that he
must go, and they went out with him
still in the saddle.
Let officers apply themselves with
conspicuous energy and they heard
from genial Partow; let officers only
keep step and free of courts martial.
and they heard from a merciless task.
master. Peculiarly human, peculiarly
dictatorial, dynamic, and inscrutable
wRs Partow, who never asked any one
under him to work harder than him.
self.
Lanstron appeared in the presence
Of Jove shortly after eight o'clock the
next morning after he left La Tir.
Jove rolled his big head on his short
neck IN a nod and said:
"Late!"
"The train was late, SIR" Lanstron
replied, "and have some news about
our thousandth chance"
Hmm! What is it," asked Partow.
When Lanstron had told his story,
Partow worked his lips in a way he
had IL he were struck by passing re-
Election which might or might not have
a connection with the subject in hand.
Strange about her when you consider
who her parents were!" he said. But
you never know. Hmm! Why don't
you sit down, young man."
"The way that the Grays gave out
our dispatch convinces me Of their in
tentions," Partow said. Their peo-
pie are rising to 1t and ours are rising
in answer. The Grays have been trans
ferring regiments from distant prov
inces to their frontier because they
will fight better in an invasion. We
are transferring home regiments to
our frontier because they will f1ght
for their own property. By Thursday
you will find that open mobilization on
both sides has begun"
my department is ready" said
Lanston, "all except your decision
about press censorship"
"a troublesome point" responded
Partow. Il have procrastinated be
cause two definite plans were fully
worked out. 1t is a matter of choice
between them: either publicity or COM
plete secrecy. You know l am no be-
lever In riding two horses at once.
My mind is about made up; but let me
hear your side again Sometimes get
conviction by probing another mans"
Lanstron was at his best, for his
own conviction was intense.
"Of course they will go In for Sc
crecy; but our case Is different" he
began.
Partow settled himself to listen with
~.