Gilpin observer., 1916-02-24

.-
The grand duke. who had played %
ker in America and fan-tan In China
and. roulette in Monte Carlo. and a.
the other games throughout the world
smiled With his impressive big eyes
and put his hand up under his beard.
"The matter then seems to resolve
itself into q question Of price," he
commented.
mo; protection" responded Allison
IF we're buying these railroads out
right, should expect my property IN
terests to be guarded. even II l had to
appeal to international equity; but
am not"
mo" admitted the grand duke.
They cannot be purchased"
THE proposition resolves itself then
into matter of virtual commercial
seizure" Allison pointed out
The grand duke. still with his hand
in his beard. chuckled. as he regarded
Allison amusedly.
81 shall not mind II you call 1t pi
racy," he observed. I'VE. in Russia.
must collect our revenues as we can.
and We are as frank as Americans
about It. Returning to your matter OF
protection. Il shall admit that the
only agreement upon which we car
secure what you want, would not hold
in international equity; and. in conse
quence the only protection can give
you is my personal word that you will
not be molested in anything which you
wish to do. providing 1t is pleasant to
myself and those represent"
Then we'll make 1t an annual pay
ment." decided Allison. putting away
some figures he had prepared We'll
make 1t sliding scale. increasing
each year with the earnings"
The grand duke considered that
proposition gravely. and offered an
amendment.
After the first year." he said. I'VE
shall begin with a large bonus. how
ever"
Allison again put out of his mind
certain figures he had prepared to sug.
gest. Apparently the grand duke need.
ed large supply of immediate cash,
and the annual payments thereafter
would need to be decreased accord
ingly. with still another percentage de-
Quoted for profit on the dukes neces.
stiles.
Let US first discuss the bonus" pro-
posed Allison. and quite amicably they
went into the arrangement. whereby
Ivan Strolesky hlched the only valu
able railroad lines in his country from
the control OF its present graft-ridden
possessors. and handed 1t over to the
International Transportation company
by the way" said Allison. How
soon can we obtain possession7"
Ivan Strolesky put his hand in his
beard again. and reflected.
There is only one man who stands
in the way" he calculated. He will
be removed Immediately upon my re-
turn"
There was something so uncanny
about this that even the practical
and then he laughed.
1--WE have still much to learn from
your country" he courteously con
fessed.
When Ivan Strolesky had gone. ALI.
son went to his globe and drew q
bright red line across the land of the
frozen seas.
There came famous diplomat. a
heavy blond man with a red face
and big spectacles and high. wide,
round forehead.
Il do not know what you want"
said the visitor. regarding Allison with
stolid stare. II have come to see.
Il merely wish to chat international
politics." returned Allison. There is
an old-time feud between you and your
neighbors to the west"
THAT is history" replied the visitor
noncommittally. I'VE are now at
peace"
Never peace" denied Allison.
There will never be friendship be-
tween phlegmatism and mercurialism.
You might rest for centuries with your
neighbors to the west. but rest is not
peace"
Excuse me. but what do you mean?"
and the otsitor stared stolidly.
I'm your affairs of mutual relation
ship with the land to the west. there
are not less than dozen causes upon
which war could be started without
difficulty" went on Allison. I'm fact.
you require perpetual diplomacy to
prevent war with that country"
The visitor locked his thick fingers
quietly together and kept on stolidly
staring.
"You are about to have a war;" ALI.
son advised him.
mo. II is not true" and the visitor
went so far. In his emphasis. as to un-
lock his fingers and rest one hand on
the back OF the other.
II think l am very fair prophet"
said Allison easily. 81 have made
money by my prophecy. have more
money at my command at the present
ttr,o than anv man In tho wOr1d Tim N