The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-07

ma been spending nearly q hundred
rufIiions a year upon their army and
thstr feet. Squadrons of dreadnoughts
costing 100000 each had been
launched. They had spent enormous
sums upon cruisers, and both their tor
pedo and their submarine sQuadrone
vore exceptionally strong. They wore
also by no means weak IN their aerial
power, especially in the matter OF ny
dsoplanes. Besides all this. their army
vns very efficient IN spite OF its lin
ftod numbers, and II was the most cx-
pmsfve IN Europe. Yet when the day
ok trial came all this imposing force
vas Of no use whatever and might as
wuri have not existed. Their ruin could
not have been moro complete or more
rapid II they had not possessed an iron
Glad or O regiment. And all this was
accomplished by me, Capt, John Sirius,
belonging to tho navy Of ono Of the
smallest Powers In Europe and having
under my command a fiotilla of eight
vessels, the collective cost OF which
was f1,S00,000. No one has a better
rtxht to tell the story than L
viii not trouble you about tho dis
pute concerning the colonial frontier.
embittered. as II was, by the subse-
qucnt death OF the two missionaries.
A naval officer has nothing to do with
politics. ] only came upon the scene
after the ultmatum had been actually
received. Admiral Horli had been sum
moned to the Presence, and he asked
that I should be allowed to accompany
him, because he happened to know
that / had some clear ideas as to the
weak points of England and also some
scheme as to how to take advantage
of them. There were only four OF us
present at this meeting-the King. the
Foreign Secretary, Admiral Horh and
myself. The time allowed by the ultl-
matum expired in forty-eight hours.
/ am not breaking any confidence
when | say that both the King and
the Minister were in favor of a sur
render. They saw no possibility OF
standing up against the colossal power
of Great Britain. The Minister had
drawn up an acceptance Of the British
terms, and the King sat with It before
him on the table. saw the tears of
anger and humiliation run down his
cheeks as ne looked at II.
81 fear that there is no possible al
tentative, sire" said the Minister
"Our envoy in London has just sent
this report. which shows that the pub
lie and the press are more united than
he has ever known them. The feeling
is intense, especially since the rash act
of Malort in desecratlng the flag. We
must give way"
The King looked sadly at Admiral
Horli.
What is your effective fleet, Ad-
miral?" he asked.
Two battleships, four cruisers,
twenty torpedo boats and eight sub
Marines" said the Admiral
The King shook his head.
at would be madness to resist"
said he.
And yet, sire" said the Admiral,
"before you come to a decision l
should wish you to hear Capt. Sirius.
who has a very definite plan OF cam
paign against the English
Absurd" said the King impa-
tently. What is the use? Do you
imagine that you could defeat their
vast armada"
Sire" 1 answered, II will stake my
life that II you will follow my advice
you will within a month or six weeks
at the utmost bring proud England to
her knees" There was an assurance
in my voice which arrested tho atten-
t1om OF tho King.
You seem self-confident, Capt.
Sirius"
"I have no doubt at all, sire"
what then would you adviser"
y would advise, sire, that the whole
feet be gathered under the forts OF
Blankenberg and be protected from at
tack by booms and piles. There they
can stay till the war is over. The
eight submarines, however, you will
leave in my charge 10 use as l think
fit."
"Ah, you would attack the English
battleships with submarlnes?"
Sire, / would never go near an Eng
fish battleship."
"And why not?"
because they might injure me,
sire"
What, a sailor and afraid?"
any life belongs to the country, sire.
II is nothing. But these eight ships
everything depends upon them. could
not risk them. Nothing would induce
me to fight"
"Then what will you do?"
81 will tell you. sire"
And / did so. For half an hour
spoke. was clear and strong and
definite, for many an hour on a lonely
watch | had spent in thinking out
every detail. I held them enthralled,
The King never took his eyes from my
face. The Minister sat as II turned to
stone.
Are you sure of all this?"
Perfectly, sire
The King rose from the table
-Send no answer to the utimatum,"
said he. Announce In both houses
that We stand firm in the face of men
ace. Admiral IIorli, you will in all
respects carry out that which Capt.
Sirius may demand in furtherance of
his plan. Capt Sirius, the field is
clear. Go forth and do as you have
said. A grateful King win know how
TO reward you"
l need not tropbc you by telling