按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
THE GREAT WAR
SYNDICATE
FRANK R。 STOCKTON
Author of 〃The Lady or the Tiger；〃 〃Rudder Grange；〃 〃The Casting
Away of Mrs。 Lecks and Mrs。 Aleshine；〃 〃What Might Have Been
Expected；〃 etc。； etc。
1
… Page 2…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE。
In the spring of a certain year； not far from the close of the nineteenth
century； when the political relations between the United States and Great
Britain became so strained that careful observers on both sides of the
Atlantic were forced to the belief that a serious break in these relations
might be looked for at any time； the fishing schooner Eliza Drum sailed
from a port in Maine for the banks of Newfoundland。 It was in this year
that a new system of protection for American fishing vessels had been
adopted in Washington。 Every fleet of these vessels was accompanied by
one or more United States cruisers； which remained on the fishing grounds；
not only for the purpose of warning American craft who might approach
too near the three…mile limit； but also to overlook the action of the British
naval vessels on the coast； and to interfere； at least by protest； with such
seizures of American fishing boats as might appear to be unjust。 In the
opinion of all persons of sober judgment； there was nothing in the
condition of affairs at this time so dangerous to the peace of the two
countries as the presence of these American cruisers in the fishing waters。
The Eliza Drum was late in her arrival on the fishing grounds； and having；
under orders from Washington； reported to the commander of the
Lennehaha； the United States vessel in charge at that place； her captain
and crew went vigorously to work to make up for lost time。 They worked
so vigorously； and with eyes so single to the catching of fish； that on the
morning of the day after their arrival； they were hauling up cod at a point
which； according to the nationality of the calculator； might be two and
three… quarters or three and one…quarter miles from the Canadian coast。 In
consequence of this inattention to the apparent extent of the marine mile；
the Eliza Drum； a little before noon； was overhauled and seized by the
British cruiser； Dog Star。 A few miles away the Lennehaha had perceived
the dangerous position of the Eliza Drum； and had started toward her to
warn her to take a less doubtful position。 But before she arrived the
capture had taken place。 When he reached the spot where the Eliza Drum
had been fishing； the commander of the Lennehaha made an observation
2
… Page 3…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
of the distance from the shore； and calculated it to be more than three
miles。 When he sent an officer in a boat to the Dog Star to state the result
of his computations； the captain of the British vessel replied that he was
satisfied the distance was less than three miles； and that he was now about
to take the Eliza Drum into port。 On receiving this information； the
commander of the Lennehaha steamed closer to the Dog Star； and
informed her captain； by means of a speaking…trumpet； that if he took the
Eliza Drum into a Canadian port； he would first have to sail over his ship。
To this the captain of the Dog Star replied that he did not in the least
object to sail over the Lennehaha； and proceeded to put a prize crew on
board the fishing vessel。
At this juncture the captain of the Eliza Drum ran up a large American
flag； in five minutes afterward the captain of the prize crew hauled it down；
in less than ten minutes after this the Lennehaha and the Dog Star were
blazing at each other with their bow guns。 The spark had been struck。 The
contest was not a long one。 The Dog Star was of much greater tonnage and
heavier armament than her antagonist； and early in the afternoon she
steamed for St。 John's； taking with her as prizes both the Eliza Drum and
the Lennehaha。 All that night； at every point in the United States which
was reached by telegraph； there burned a smothered fire； and the next
morning； when the regular and extra editions of the newspapers were
poured out upon the land； the fire burst into a roaring blaze。 From lakes to
gulf； from ocean to ocean； on mountain and plain； in city and prairie； it
roared and blazed。 Parties； sections； politics； were all forgotten。 Every
American formed part of an electric system； the same fire flashed into
every soul。 No matter what might be thought on the morrow； or in the
coming days which might bring better under…standing； this day the
unreasoning fire blazed and roared。 With morning newspapers in their
hands； men rushed from the breakfast…tables into the streets to meet their
fellow…men。 What was it that they should do？ Detailed accounts of the
affair came rapidly； but there was nothing in them to quiet the national
indignation； the American flag had been hauled down by Englishmen； an
American naval vessel had been fired into and captured； that was enough！
No matter whether the Eliza Drum was within the three…mile limit or not！
3
… Page 4…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
No matter which vessel fired first！ If it were the Lennehaha； the more
honour to her； she ought to have done it！ From platform； pulpit； stump；
and editorial office came one vehement； passionate shout directed toward
Washington。 Congress was in session； and in its halls the fire roared louder
and blazed higher than on mountain or plain； in city or prairie。 No member
of the Government； from President to page； ventured to oppose the
tempestuous demands of the people。 The day for argument upon the
exciting question had been a long weary one； and it had gone by in less
than a week the great shout of the people was answered by a declaration of
war against Great Britain。 When this had been done； those who demanded
war breathed easier； but those who must direct the war breathed