River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-01-08


| ronized by gentlemen who dabble in
what Nikolai called high finance"
The police had gathered in a score
and more of the fraternity and sent
them out OF the country; but those
were the bunglers at their trade. We
passed as wealthy Americans, and
hoped TO reap harvest
But my companions thoughts few
high above the common swindling
knew that when he announced his
coup, it would be something worthy
Of his fantastic mind. On the third
evening, while we sat together upon
the esplanade, watching the yachts
swing past, flags OF all nations fiutter-
ing at the mast heads, Nikolai breach
ed his plan.
These Germans are giving England
hard fight for the supremacy OF the
ocean," he said, as the kaiser yacht,
having defeated her English antagon-
ist. passed to the salutation of ten
thousand threats. And they're not
so far behind in actual war material
either. England would give fortune
for the plans Of the new German sub
marine"
He handed me the Daily Telegraph
of two days previous. which he had
purchased at the Casino. I had not
seen a paper for the past week Turn
ing to the column indicated by my
companion, | discovered that the
German war scare had assumed new
phase.
The column, which was headed in
black type, dealt with the maneuvers
OF mysterious submarine ship, which
had been seen at various points along
the British coast, sometimes as half
submerged body that cut through the
water at an astonishing speed, at
others merely as the periscope,
the eye Of such craft, which alone was
visible above the waves. 1t was
obviously engaged in taking soundings
and spying upon the English naval
defenses.
From these various statements OF
those who have seen this craft the
newspaper went on to say, 1T is evil
dent, in spite Of official denials, that it
is none other than the new German
submarine, about which so much spec
ulation is rife. It's ability to trav-
ell such a distance from it's base
demonstrates the fact clearly, for no
other type of submarine vessel has
more than very limited sphere of
action. The British government
would, doubtless, pay handsomely for
plan Of this craft. Meanwhile it
is reported that warships are search
ing for it-and Messieurs, il you come
within the limits Of our territorial
waters look out for broadside,"
1.-The British government would,
doubtless, pay handsomely for plan
Of this craft, Nikoiai quoted, read
ing over my shoulder We'll, why
shouldn't we earn the reward Sum-
mers?'
How could we get the plans?" l
asked
We won't" replied Nikolai. What
do you say to taking the craft itself
and steering it into Portsmouth har-
Dor? 1t might be piracy on the high
seas, but+-wouId England let it go be-
fore she had inspected it? And the re-
ward would be big.
"Ycu have never. seen a submarine
of the newer type, Summers Nikolai
went on hastily, before l could inter
pose any objection. Within those
shells one man, and certainly two, can
hold the entire crew at bay. How?
Well. stick of dynamite. retained in
proximity to the steering gear. is
powerful aid. There are few sailors
who would choose certain death by
suffocation at the bottom Of the sea in
preference to life with a modicum Of
dishonor Then, again, they keep no
arms except couple Of pistols or
So A submarine is not an offensive
craft. One man, III fact, could easily
overpower the entire crew.
Now, Summers, once We are
aboard, this shall be your task. Mean
while, l shall assume charge of the
steering apparatus and bring the YES
sci safely into Portsmouth harbor.
| There we deliver her to the authori
! ties All are arrested and detained
pending the courts decision. In the
end the vessel is released, we are con-
| demned to hang for piracy-and some
and grateful government pensions
us. Do you understand"
It's risky" I suggested
But it's sure, said Nickolai And
the audacity of the scheme makes its
| fulfillment easy"
Sat s.I 70
proved no formidable obstacle. We
| knew that the Kiel naval yards must
| be the headquarters of the mysterious
craft. There was no difficulty in dis
| covering the slip at which she berth
ed after each return from the English
| coast, The streets were full OF Ger
man sailors: discipline, never so dras-
tic in the navy as in the army. was a
tribe lax during the regatta week;
there was nc difficulty in gaining adj
mittanoe to the slip.
| Niko1ai, in the uniform of a naval
| captain. and |, attired as his orderly
| did, in fact, penetrate the dockyard
| many times during the ensuing week.
We soon discovered that the Hertha,
as the submarine was called, set forth
| twice each week, for her explorations
| of the North sea, returning to dock at
| three-day intervals TO replenish hel
| fuel. The crew consisted of picked
/ men, veterans of the service, who
| were commanded by tis0 same officer
on each occasion. So .tEach we learn.
ed-or rather, Nikoia. learned-dur-
| ing these nightly visits Of ours. Nj
| loIa; smoke German as his mother