The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-12-25

| from his position at lne uedu Vi lue
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 a genial Partow; let officers only
keep step and free Of courts martial,
and they heard from merciless task
master. Peculiarly human, peculiarly
dictatorial, dynamic, and inscrutable
was 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 nod and said
Late"
"The train was late, sir" Lanstron
replied, and have some news about
OuI LuOuSduutu CuduCS.
Hmm! What Is it?" asked Partow.
When Lanstron had told his story,
Partow worked his lips in way he
had II he were struck by a 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 it 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 tc
our frontier because they will fight
for their own property. BY Thursday
you will find that open mobilization or
both sides has begun"
"My department is ready" sale
Lanston, "all except your decision
about press censorship"
"a troublesome point" responded
Partow. 81 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
the gift of the organizer who draws
from his informant the brevity of es-
sentials.
Il should take the people into our
confidence" Lanstron proceeded. 81
should make them feel that we we're
one family fighting for all we hold
/ dear against the invader. If our losses
are heavy, if we have a setback, then
the inspiration of the heroism Of those
who have fallen and the danger of
their own homes feeling the foot of
the invader next will impel the living
to greater sacrifices. For the Grays
are in the wrong. The moral and the
legal right is with U.s."
And the duty Of men like you and
me, chosen for the purpose" said Par
tow, is worthily to direct the cour
age that goes with moral right. The
overt act of war must come from them
by violating our frontier, not in the
African jungle but here. Even when
the burglar fingers the window-sast
we shall not fire-no, not until he en-
tiers our house. When he does, you
would have a message 60 out to oul
people that will set them quiverins
with indignation?"
Yes, and l would let the names o.
our soldiers who fall first be known
and how they fell, their backs to theil
frontier homes and their faces to the
foe"
Our very liberality In giving news
will help US to cover the military
secrets which we desire to preserve,
Partow said. with slow emphasis. 1--WE
shall hold back what we please, con
fident of the peoples trust Coco
policy that, yes! But enough! You
orders are ready, In detail / believe
You have nothing to add?"
mo. sir. nothing; at least, not until
war begins"
Every we'll. We shall have the or
ders issued at the proper moment,
concluded Partow. And Wsstsrlins