Evening star., 1914-08-09


devised for Just that purpose
is fitted with the greatest and
most deadly collection of de-
fensive and offensive
chnery in the world not for use but rather dsuse not
for fighting but rather to prevent fight because the
powers of the world realize that it is impregnable.
Knowing that, the peace of tl} country is secure
AND yet spoke the dark stranger, almost for the
first time of the evening without being first spoken
to- 3before the fall over, might say shorter time
even, the Reservation will lie useless ncumbrance
the land such the changes and fortunes in this
theoretical paper warfare that is always going among
the nations"
They all turned and looked at him in astonishment.
He spoke quietly in CASUAL conversational tone,
unconscious that there anything startling in his
renark-and yet there something authoritative in
his manner.
4Why, what do you mean, sr97 demanded the Com
mandant hotly; for the Reservation object of
inordinate pride with him.
"Just that" the stranger said. although there is
booming of cannons, warfare is going among the
nations incessantythe warfare of theory, preparing
for the warfare of Deeds which is bound to And
in warfare there is nothing impregnable-not your
Reservation. Before the year out it will become SO
much beautiful scrap iron, just all equipment
eventually becomes scrap of the useless Sort
"You mad, Mani" cried the Commandant with
rising choler to hear his pet contemned. The Reserva
ton is the last word in military science,iti genera
ton aheaQ OF It's times. DO you know anything ABOUT
the Reservation"
@Well, yes in general way" he replied casually.
Gas understand it, the Reservation presents to the
eye the appearance of great series of public parks;
but this counterfeit of beauty mask to the great
guns and defenses that lie hidden amid peaceful
greenery The disposition of these defenses known to
except you who command them; in fact, as
derstand it, secrecy the main strength and defense
of the Reservation stronger than ramparts of stone for
the simple reason that no attacking fleet would know
where to drop its shells amid all that greenery to do
damage, whereas the attackers themselves, exposed
the open surface of the would fall easy prey to
your guns Secrecy-that is the strength of the Reser
walton, and no means, precautions overlooked
by you your government in maintaining it. Am
right in describing the design and purpose of the
structon and management of the Reservations he
ended with smile, in which there touch of the
sardonic, creasing his large deeply nodded features
"You understand and describe it well, said the Com
mandant, somewhat notified "And it is well that the
world should understand it. it is the greatest single
preventive of in the world
"And yet repeat the stranger said, 3that before
fall perhaps before this very week past the Reserva
ton will be open book,it will be shorn of its great
est strength,-its secrecy"
Nonsense cried the Commandant.
"Well, am of this the other replied, "that
willing to back my prophesy with wagcr-a
thousand dollars, more, less peases best your
taste
@Why, SIR the Commandant exclaimed, his choer
thoroughly aroused once more @ thought your words
worthy of serious consideration, l should have you
clapped into jail and investigated My government
considers it Of its most important duties to protect
that secret-and take it from anyone caught spying
would receive short shrft!'
"You could clap me into jail and cut again, and be
none the WISER investigate as hard you might, the
stranger said with careless laugh; for know nothing