The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-03-20
TheLast Shot
FREDERIC PALMER



I'VE must win though We lose
million men!" he answered. Il stake
my life," he cried hoarsely. striking
his fist on the table.
You stake your life" repeated the
premier with slow emphasis
Il do," said Westerling Yes. my
life. We cannot fail"
Then 1t will be war, IL the people
want it," said the premier. Il shall
not resist their desire," he added In
his official manner. at peace with his
conscience.
Partow was a great brain set on an
enormous body. Partow's eyes had
the fire of youth at sixty five, but the
pendulous flesh OF his cheeks was
pasty. Jealousy and faction had en-
deavored for years to remove him
from his position at the head OF the
army on account of age. New govern
ments decided as they came in that he
must go, and they went out with him
still In the saddle.
Let officers apply themselves with
from a genial Partow; let officers only
keep step and free OF courts martial,
and they heard from a merciless task
master. Peculiarly human. peculiarly
dictatorial. dynamic. and inscrutable
was Partow, who never asked any one
under him to work harder than him
self
Lanstron appeared in the presence
OF Joye shortly after eight o'clock the
next morning after he left La Tir,s
Jove rolled his big head on his short
neck in nod and said:
Late"
The train was late, sir" Lanstron
replied, and ! have some news about
our thousandth chance"
Hmm, What is it," asked Partow,
When Lanstron had told his story,
Partow worked his lips in way he
had If he were struck by passing re-
fiection which might or might not have
connection with the subject in hand,
Strange about her when you consider
who her parents were," he said. But
you never know. Hmm, Why don't
You sit down. young man.
The way that the Grays gave out
our dispatch convinces me Of their in
tentions." Partow said Their peo-
pie are rising to it and ours are rising
in answer. The Grays have been trans
ferring regiments from distant prov
inces to their frontier because they
will fight better in an invasion. We
are transferring home regiments to
our frontier because they will fight
for their own property. BY Thursday
you will find that open mobilization on
both sides has begun"
My department is ready said
Lanston. all except your decision
about press censorship
"A troublesome point" responded
Partow. Il have procrastinated be-
cause two definite plans were fully
worked out 1t is a matter OF choice
between them: either publicity or COM
plete secrecy. You know | am no be-
lever in riding two horses at once.
My mind is about made up; but let me
hear your side again. Sometimes ! get
conviction By probing another man s.
Lanstron was at his best for his
own conviction was intense.
"Of course they will 60 in for Sc
crecy: but our case is different" he
began.
Partow settled himself to listen with
the gift OF the organizer who draws
from his informant the brevity OF es-
sentials.
Il should take the people into our
confidence" Lanstron proceeded. Il
should make them feel that We were
one family fighting for all we hold
dear against the invader. If our losses
are heavy, ii We have setback, then
the inspiration of the heroism of those
who have fallen and the danger OF
their own homes feeling the foot of
the invader next will impel the living
to greater sacrifices. For the Grays
are in the wrong. The moral and the
legal right is with US
And the duty Of men like you and
me, chosen for the purpose" said Par
tow, is worthily to direct the cour
age that goes with moral right. The
overt act OF war must come from them
by violating our frontier, not in the
African jungle but here. Even when
the burglar fingers the windowsash
we shall not fire-no, not until he en-
ters our house. When he does, you
would have a message go out to our
people that will set them quiveriug
with Indignation"
Yes, and l would let the names Of
our soldiers who fall first be known
and how they fell, their backs to their
frontier homes and their faces to the
foe"
Our very liberality in giving news
will help us to cover the military
secrets which we desire to preserve" "
Partow said. with slow emphasis. We
shall hold back what we please, con-
fident OF the peoples trust. Good