Evening star., 1915-05-23
CONTINUED From Fourth Page.o


North of the city. the army began
marching through the borough of the
Bronx toward the Harlem river. Before
noon guns were posted along the Har-
lem heights. on University heights, at
High bridge. and down past the mouth
of the Harlem river. The Long Island
railroad brought guns to the high
ground behind Newton creek, to the
summit of Eastern parkway, and to the
Prospect Park slope.
Through He'll Gate into the East river
came a motley feet-sound and river
steamers captured at New Haven and
Bridgeport. wall-sided freighters and
lighters, side wheelers and screw pro-
pellers and f1otilla of motor boats, the
pick of the beautiful little navy of
pleasure that filled all the sound har-
borS.
This feet anchored in long line be-
low BlackWells Island close under the
Manhattan shore. All the larger yes
sells had guns on their forward and
upper decks. AS soon a s the craft had
swung to the tide. the weapons were
pointed at the city.
Then the telephone bell in the city
hall called the mayor again. The corps
commander. speaking from temporary
quarters in the University of New York
buildings. announced that he wished
to send commissioners into the city to
treat with the authorities for the terms
of capitulation. He desired that the
mayor SenU an escort 10 meet Ine1n dt
the Lenox avenue bridge over the Har-
lem.
None of the people in the streets real
lied that the automobiles that sped
down LenoX avenue few hours later,
through Central Park and down Broad
way, were bearing enemy soldiers The
population had become accustomed to
men in field uniforms hurrying through
the city.
Arrived in the city hall. the commits
a demand signed hv
the commander. for unconditional sur
render of the city. The mayor and his
advisers read it, and turned to the
soldiers.
What does this mean" asked the
mayor, pointing to "A clause that called
for the surrender of all Notifications
with troops and munitions of war. we
possess no fortifications.'
1T means Forts Hamilton and Wads-
worth, on the Narrows," answered the
chief commi ssoner.
But those are United States prop
erty." said the mayor. I'VE have no
authority over them.
Then l should advise you to consult
with the commandants of these places
at once" answered the commissioner
Their surrender is an indispensable
condition in the terms of capitulation.
The mayor reached for the telephone
stop all other business, however i'm
portant," he said to the operator. Con
meet me with tbe commandant at Fort
Hamilton"
His conversation with that officer
was brief. He declines absolutely to
surrender any part of the defenses or
other government property" he re-
ported
Then. SIR said the officer, rising II
regret to inform you that we shall
shell the city. We are authorized to
give you twentyfour hours. Precisely
at the end of that time. we shall order
the firing to begin. l call your at
tention to the fact that our artillery,
as at present placed, commands the
Borough of Manhattan to about 59th
command a great part of the most
valuable sections of that borough. You
will take note, also. that guns on the
vessels anchored in the river can sweep
both the New York and Broolxlvp
streets"
But" exclaimed an old Judge, who
was on the citizens committee. I'VE
are willing to surrender the city with
OUT opposition. AS a matter of fact,
1t dies wide open to your entrance. You
cannot possibly mean to lombard an
undefended and unfortified town.
Without hesitation the officer drew a
paper from his pocket and presented
having Forts Hamilton and Wadswortb
not only within it's harbor limits, but
actually within it's municipal limits. is
plainly fortified place under ali ac-
cepted definitions. Also, while troops
occupy these forts the town clearly
falls under the definition of a defend
ed place." under the clause that a
place is occupied by a military force is
a defended place .'"i7
With bow he handed the paper to
the mayor.
I'VE shall lombard the city within
twenty-four hours" he repeated
The New York men looked at each
other I'VE are quite helpless. SIR
said the old Judge, then. I'VE cannot
force United States officers to surren-
der l propose to my colleagues that a
deputation shall go to Washington at
once to lay your terms before the
President as chief of the
army and navy. 1 assure you that we
shall represent to him. most strongly,
the advisability Of yielding. Will you.
for your part. give US more timer
Il cannot go beyond my orders and
swered the officer. ''Twenty-four hours,
~ "A town surrounded by detached forts is
considered jointly with such forts an indi-
visible whole. as defended place. place
that Is occupied by Il military force through
which such force is passing: is defended
place" Bomharimcnts. Assaults and SieSes,
Rules of Land Warfare, L. s. 4.