Evening star., 1925-07-22

I'D give in the neighborhood Of a
million dollars to see that dispatch"
Grant declared.
There was still great deal of noise
in the dining room ard in the passage.
Lord Yeovil walked to the door and
locked it. Then he came back to his
place. He spoke slowly and with the
air of one choosing his words.
''Slattery," ne said lit has been in
my mind for two years to propose
further invitation TO your country to
join the pact, because. in my opinion,
conditions during the last decade have
entirely altered, and the position of
your country outside the pact. even
though she may be considered the
greatest power in the world has be-
come anomalous and dangerous. She
has subscribed TO the limitation of
armaments which she herself inaug
urated. and has scrupulously carried
out her obligations With all her
power and wealth she is unable to
launch single battleship or put un-
der arms a single regiment Of sol
diers beyond the proportion allotted to
her by the other subscribing powers.
Yet although she is in this position.
she is not 4 member Of the pact That
is TO say. that, legally speaking. any
to the pact might attack America with
superior forces and the other members
Of the pact would he powerless.
You have placed the matter in
nutshell. sir Grant agreed. 1t was
the consideration of these things
which brought me TO Europe and
keeps me employed here. America.
when the great call came. rose mag
nificently TO her opportunities. She
CT - nd oh
indeed. others bore the brunt of the
burden. she ended the war Of 1914.
Since then. without doubt. she has
had a political relapse. Her states
men have lost certain measure Of in
sight and vision. She has sunk back
into the parochial. Politics have be
come more than ever a game and a
profession Her statesmen are 50
busy fighting over their own national
problems that they have never envis
aged the danger upon the horizon.
That has been my view. II is my view
today
60 on. Lord Yeovil invited. You
have not been in Europe during these
last twelve months for nothing"
Il am convinced. Grant declared,
that Germany and Japan have ar
rived at an understanding 10 strike al
America | am convinced for that
reason that they will oppose your in
vitation to America tomorrow. If they
do not and I have wasted my time,
then God he thanked for il. | shall
go back to polo and golf, hunt the
hounds at Pau. and never take my
self seriously again
The older man helped himself TO
cigarette and tapped it thoughtfully
upon the table without lighting it
There is just one thing. Slattery.
he said. Il have the greatest respect
and liking for Naga. I cannot some
how believe that he would oppose me
tomorrow unless he first gave me
some intimation of his intention. Be
sides, he isn't in the least bellicose.
believe him to he an honorable man,
and l can't imagine his being mixed
up in any TeutoniC plot
Grant nodded.
Il. too" he agreed. have a great
respect for Naga. At the same time,
with these orientalS. one has to re-
member il is their country first. their
country second, their country all the
time
There were warning sounds from
outside-the exodus of all the young
people into the hall. Insistent voices
called for Grant. He slipped across
and unlocked the door.
You had better go" his host ad-
vised. we understand one another
and there is nothing more to be done
at present. Tomorrow. after the meet
Ing of the conference. we shall know
where we stand.
ITS a private meeting, isn't it,
Yes Thank God, we've managed
TO keep the press out. Between you
and me. Grant. If there were no news
papers. all the nations of the world
would he sitting round in a family
party There would he no wars and
very few quarrels. 1t is the enlisht-
ened press Of this generation which
provides fuel for tragedy
The door was thrown open.
* to lead the ace of hearts and
make the grand SLANT Lady Susan
cried DO come along, Grant. What
ever do grand slams in print matter?
l have liqueurs on with Arthur that
we're in the club in twelve minutes.
Do YOU think your ROlls-Royce Is
equal to it?''
Nine and a half is my time Grant
replied. Nine, if YOU run up the
stairs. Come on
-T,loa cd of