Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-10-18
CHAPTER xvn-(coNTINuED>

an ironical smile, rs Of one who
disdaincd heroics.
"For the decision as to La Lib
crtc," he said, II assume full re-
sponsibility. 1t was | who sug-
gcsted it; it was | who showed
that no other proof could be con-
elusive it was | who arranged for
it. | have no regrets. You have
your part of the bargain accom-
plished, Mr.. Yard" he added.
ellis highncss and myself are here
to accomplish ours. We are ready
to discuss the details of the
treaty"
81 think that first, perhaps, l
should look at your credentials"
Ward suggested.
"That is just and Pachmann,
getting out his pocketbook, took
from it the envelope sealed with
the black seal, and handed it to
Yard.
Ward took it, glanced at the
seal, and hesitatcd, just as the cap
tain of the Ottilie had done.
81 am to open it," he asked.
Pachmann nodded.
cit contains my credentials"
he said.
A careful inspection of the seal
would have disclosed the fact that
the envelope had already been
opened once-perhaps nor than
once-but Ward made no such in
spection Instead, he broke the
seal with nervous fingers, and
drew out the stiff sheet blazing
with the royal insignia. This is
the English of what he read:
Herewith do 1 grant to the bearer of
this paper. Admiral III. Pachmann, pow
or extraordinary as my representative,
treaties, and to sign the same; and l
do further declare that I shall consider
myself bound by sue agreements n
signatures as though l myself had
made them: and, finally, i command all
members of my family, all officers of
my army and navy, all members of my
diplomatic corps. and all good Ger
same obedience they would yield to mo-;
all this for the good of my empire.
(Signed) William, K. /.
Wilhelmshohe, September 81, 1911.
Ward re-read this extraordinary
paper, then replaced it in it's en-
velope and silently returned it to
its owner. Again that ironical
smile flashed across Pachmann's
lips, as he restored it to his pock-
etbook
"You find it ample, do you
not?" he asked.
Ward nodded, and glanced curl
ously at the prime, wondering if
that young man was aware of the
exact wording of this remarkable
document, especially of the clause,
call members of my family"
And now," proceeded Pach-
mann, adjusting himself to an
easier posture, eve shall be glad
to hear the further details of your
proposal"
Ward paused for a moment to
collect his thoughts.
"There is one thing l would un-
derstand first" he said. "From
that paper, l infer that the en-
peror alone is concerned in this
that his cabinet is not aware of
it,"
"No member of the cabinet ex-
cept one-whom I will not name,"
assented Pachmann. 81 will not
conceal from you that the emperor
is DESTROYS of reaping for himself
the full glory of this achievement.
He realizes that the man who
brings about world peace will be
the most famous man in history.
He has his ambitions, as you
doubtless know"
Eyes, I have heard So" said
Ward, with an ironic smile. "Well,
let him have the glory-I do not
object; besides, he will deserve it.
And now for my proposal. 1t is
this: the nations of the world, with
Germany and Russia as the first
signatories, shall enter into a
treaty providing for the immedi-
ate disbanding of their armies, dis
mantling of their forts, and disin-
tegrating of their fleets. Only
such troops shall be retained as
are needed to provide garrisons
TOR such outposts as may be nec-
essary to protect the Christian
world from the incursion Of bar
barous or nomadic tribes, and only
such warships as are needed to as
sist in this work. The exact num-
Der each nation shall maintain will
be decided by a general court of
adjudication, and all such troops
and warships shall be in common I;
and al expenditures for what are
uHllnllv known M military mr..