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war breathed easier； but those who must direct the war breathed harder。 It
was indeed a time for hard breathing； but the great mass of the people
perceived no reason why this should be。 Money there was in vast
abundance。 In every State well…drilled men； by thousands； stood ready for
the word to march； and the military experience and knowledge given by a
great war was yet strong upon the nation。
To the people at large the plan of the war appeared a very obvious and
a very simple one。 Canada had given the offence； Canada should be made
to pay the penalty。 In a very short time； one hundred thousand； two
hundred thousand； five hundred thousand men； if necessary； could be
made ready for the invasion of Canada。 From platform； pulpit； stump； and
editorial office came the cry： 〃On to Canada！〃 At the seat of Government；
however； the plan of the war did not appear so obvious； so simple。
Throwing a great army into Canada was all well enough； and that army
would probably do well enough； but the question which produced hard
breathing in the executive branch of the Government was the immediate
protection of the sea…coast； Atlantic； Gulf； and even Pacific。 In a storm of
national indignation war had been declared against a power which at this
period of her history had brought up her naval forces to a point double in
strength to that of any other country in the world。 And this war had been
declared by a nation which； comparatively speaking； possessed no naval
strength at all。 For some years the United States navy had been steadily
improving； but this improvement was not sufficient to make it worthy of
reliance at this crisis。 As has been said； there was money enough； and
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
every ship…yard in the country could be set to work to build ironclad men…
of…war： but it takes a long time to build ships； and England's navy was
afloat。 It was the British keel that America had to fear。 By means of the
continental cables it was known that many of the largest mail vessels of
the British transatlantic lines； which had been withdrawn upon the
declaration of war； were preparing in British ports to transport troops to
Canada。 It was not impossible that these great steamers might land an
army in Canada before an American army could be organized and
marched to that province。 It might be that the United States would be
forced to defend her borders； instead of invading those of the enemy。 In
every fort and navy…yard all was activity； the hammering of iron went on
by day and by night； but what was to be done when the great ironclads of
England hammered upon our defences？ How long would it be before the
American flag would be seen no more upon the high seas？ It is not
surprising that the Government found its position one of perilous
responsibility。 A wrathful nation expected of it more than it could perform。
All over the country； however； there were thoughtful men； not connected
with the Government； who saw the perilous features of the situation； and
day by day these grew less afraid of being considered traitors； and more
willing to declare their convictions of the country's danger。 Despite the
continuance of the national enthusiasm； doubts； perplexities； and fears
began to show themselves。 In the States bordering upon Canada a
reactionary feeling became evident。 Unless the United States navy could
prevent England from rapidly pouring into Canada； not only her own
troops； but perhaps those of allied nations； these Northern States might
become the scene of warfare； and whatever the issue of the contest； their
lands might be ravished； their people suffer。 From many quarters urgent
demands were now pressed upon the Government。 From the interior there
were clamours for troops to be massed on the Northern frontier； and from
the seaboard cities there came a cry for ships that were worthy to be called
men…of…war； ships to defend the harbours and bays； ships to repel an
invasion by sea。 Suggestions were innumerable。 There was no time to
build； it was urged； the Government could call upon friendly nations。 But
wise men smiled sadly at these suggestions； it was difficult to find a nation
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
desirous of a war with England。 In the midst of the enthusiasms； the fears；
and the suggestions； came reports of the capture of American
merchantmen by fast British cruisers。 These reports made the American
people more furious； the American Government more anxious。 Almost
from the beginning of this period of national turmoil； a party of gentlemen
met daily in one of the large rooms in a hotel in New York。 At first there
were eleven of these men； all from the great Atlantic cities； but their
number increased by arrivals from other parts of the country； until at last
they； numbered twenty…three。 These gentlemen were all great capitalists；
and accustomed to occupying themselves with great enterprises。 By day
and by night they met together with closed doors； until they had matured
the scheme which they had been considering。 As soon as this work was
done； a committee was sent to Washington； to submit a plan to the
Government。 These twenty…three men had formed themselves into a
Syndicate； with the object of taking entire charge of the war between the
United States and Great Britain。 This proposition was an astounding one；
but the Government was obliged to treat it with respectful consideration。
The men who offered it were a power in the land；a power which no
government could afford to disregard。 The plan of the Syndicate was
comprehensive； direct； and simple。 It offered to assume the entire control
and expense of the war； and to effect a satisfactory peace within one year。
As a guarantee that this contract would be properly performed； an
immense sum of money would be deposited in the Treasury at Washington。
Should the Syndicate be unsuccessful； this sum would be forfeited； and