The daily Alaskan., 1915-05-18
.AnAnlerican Messenger . He Carried a Dispatch In the European War.
By GEORGE Y. LARNED

Italy when he was twenty years old and was so delighted with the coun- try, the climate. the historical asSoc!- ations. thas he found 1t hard to get away. Finally be settled in Rome and became a foreign resident of that in terssting city. Several years passed, during which Delano became intimate with many Italian citizens of promi- hence and was Invited to social func- lions In the royal circle. On several occasions he met the king, who seem ed to take a great fancy to him. - Then like bolt from heaven came the great European war. Italy found herself in a very equivocal position. l A member of the triple alliance with Germany and Austria, a bitter hatred existing on the part of Italians against the Austrians, unprepared to enter the fray on either side, the government was in a quandary. Nevertheless the sympathies of both the government and the people were strongly in favor of the allies.
 One day when Cyrus Delano was walking idly down the Via Rationale watching the knots of people discuss ing the advance of the German troops into Belgium, he felt a tap on his shoulder Turning, he saw gentle man he did not remember to have seen l coi1 tn him.
 "Signor Delano, will you please ac' company me. The minister of foreign affairs wishes to speak to you"
 Wondering what in the world so dis tinguished Hunctionary wished with him, Delano accompanied the man to the foreign office and without any de lay whatever was uShered into the office of the secretary. There was an ! other person present whom DeIano recognized as the French ambassador. The former asked the American to be seated and then began to interrogate him. When he had finished the queS- tons he said:
 "Mr. Delano, thls Is the ambassador !
 very important message to bis govern ment at Paris. In this I am equally interested on behalf of the Italian gov ernment. We are beset by spies II we send an Italian or Frenchman he l is liable to be waylald by secret ems' saries of the members of the triple al llance. An American will have far better chance to get through with the message than one of different nation ality. Besides, you Americans are fer tile in expedients. Indeed, you are a very bright people"
 Delano, though he had no preference for either side, was quite pleased with the idea of such service and at hay ing been chosen for 1t. He accepted the mission and was told that the dis patch would be sent to him the same afternoon and 1t was desirable that he depart at the earliest possible moment afterward.
 However" said the secretary, i've have decided to intrust you with a knowledge of what the message con talns. If you are waylaid and robbed of the document you can in that case proceed and deliver your message orally We shall send a person known to be in our confidence to con. firm what you say. What We desire to Impart to the French government is this: As members of the triple alliance We are expected to threaten France in the south while she Is attacked In the north. All the French troops will be needed on the northern border. We are sending word by you that we have no intention whatever of attacking France. For the present at least We shall remain neutral
 "I confess, your excellency, said De lano. that l feel highly Battered at having been chosen to carry message of such vital importance.
 I Delano was then furnished with funds for his journey and given in structions as to the different routes be might pursue. Then he took his de } parture and began preparations for his ]
 journey.
 The shortest route from Rome to French territory Is by way of Genoa. ! Therefore if spies were on Delanos track they would naturally expect him to proceed by this route. It was there , fore decided that he should go by Switzerland, passing through Lucerne' Berne and Neuchatel.
 Having received the dispatch, whicf u WAS written in as small compass as II possible. Delano called cab and was driven to the railway station. Walk Ing back and forth ou the platform was lady whom he had met at tunc lions at the Quirlnal palace, Mime Tatianl a Greek, who he had un tlerstood was distantly related to thu nueen of that country. The lady or seeing Delano smiled graciously, thougl he did not remember to have been pre- sented to her.
 "Oh. Signor Delano! Are you goin! , on inc train? Yes? I am so glad. dislike travelling very much and sha'
 be glad of your company"
 Delano said that he was going u
 Switzerland, since he could no iohEe