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diff --git a/old/8684-h.htm.2021-01-26 b/old/8684-h.htm.2021-01-26 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5966c98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8684-h.htm.2021-01-26 @@ -0,0 +1,9591 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Conquest of America, by Cleveland Moffett + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Conquest of America, by Cleveland Moffett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Conquest of America + A Romance of Disaster and Victory + +Author: Cleveland Moffett + + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8684] +This file was first posted on August 1, 2003 +Last Updated: November 15, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CONQUEST OF AMERICA *** + + + + +Text file produced by Suzanne Shell, Beginners Projects, Mary Meehan +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE CONQUEST OF AMERICA + </h1> + <h3> + A Romance of Disaster and Victory: U.S.A., 1921 A. D. + </h3> + <h2> + By Cleveland Moffett + </h2> + <h4> + Based On Extracts From The Diary Of James E. Langston,<br /> War + Correspondent Of The “London Times” + </h4> + <h3> + 1916 + </h3> + <h5> + Author Of “Through The Wall,” “The Battle,” <br /> “Careers Of Danger And + Daring,” Etc., Etc. + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — I WITNESS THE BLOWING UP OF + THE PANAMA CANAL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — AMERICAN AEROPLANES AND + SUBMARINES BATTLE DESPERATELY AGAINST THE GERMAN FLEET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — GERMAN INVADERS DRIVE THE + IRON INTO THE SOUL OF UNPREPARED AMERICA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — INVASION OF LONG ISLAND AND + THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — GENERAL VON HINDENBURG TEACHES + NEW YORK CITY A LESSON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — VARIOUS UNPLEASANT HAPPENINGS + IN MANHATTAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — NEW HAVEN IS PUNISHED FOR + RIOTING AND INSUBORDINATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — I HAVE A FRIENDLY TALK WITH + THE GERMAN CROWN PRINCE AND SECURE A SENSATIONAL INTERVIEW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — BOSTON OFFERS DESPERATE AND + BLOODY RESISTANCE TO THE INVADERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — LORD KITCHENER VISITS AMERICA + AND DISCUSSES OUR MILITARY PROBLEMS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — HEROIC ACT OF BARBARA WEBB + SAVES AMERICAN ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF TRENTON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — REAR-ADMIRAL THOMAS Q. ALLYN + WEIGHS CHANCES OF THE AMERICAN FLEET IN IMPENDING NAVAL BATTLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. — THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE OF + THE CARIBBEAN SEA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. — PHILADELPHIA’S FIRST CITY + TROOPS DIE IN DEFENCE OF THE LIBERTY BELL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. — THRILLING INCIDENT AT + WANAMAKER’S STORE WHEN GERMANS DISHONOUR AMERICAN FLAG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. — AN AMERICAN GIRL BRINGS NEWS + THAT CHANGES THE COURSE OF THE MOUNT VERNON PEACE CONFERENCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. — THOMAS A. EDISON MAKES A + SERIOUS MISTAKE IN ACCEPTING A DINNER INVITATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. — I WITNESS THE BATTLE OF + THE SUSQUEHANNA FROM VINCENT ASTOR’S AEROPLANE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. — GENERAL WOOD SCORES ANOTHER + BRILLIANT SUCCESS AGAINST THE CROWN PRINCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. — THIRD BATTLE OF BULL RUN WITH + AEROPLANES CARRYING LIQUID CHLORINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. — THE AWAKENING OF AMERICA + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. — ON CHRISTMAS EVE BOSTON + THEILLS THE NATION WITH AN ACT OF MAGNIFICENT HEROISM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. — CONFESSIONS OF AN AMERICAN + SPY AND BRAVERY OF BUFFALO SCHOOLBOYS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. — NOVEL ATTACK OF AMERICAN + AIRSHIP UPON GERMAN SUPER-DREADNOUGHT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. — DESPERATE EFFORT TO RESCUE + THOMAS A. EDISON FROM THE GERMANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. — RIOTS IN CHICAGO AND GERMAN + PLOT TO RESCUE THE CROWN PRINCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. — DECISIVE BATTLE BETWEEN + GERMAN FLEET AND AMERICAN SEAPLANES CARRYING TORPEDOES </a> + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: ABOUT NOON ON THE DAY OF CAPITULATION, MAY 25, 1921, A + DETACHMENT OF GERMAN SOLDIERS MARCHED QUIETLY UP BROADWAY, TURNED INTO + WALL STREET, AND STOPPED OUTSIDE THE BANKING HOUSE OF J. P. MORGAN & + COMPANY.} + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <i>Thus saith the Lord, Behold, a people cometh from the north country; + and a great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the + earth. They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; + their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses; every one set + in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Zion</i>. + </p> + <p> + Jeremiah 6: 22, 23. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>They seemed as men that lifted up + Axes upon a thicket of trees. + And now all the carved work thereof together + They break down with hatchet and hammers. + They have set thy sanctuary on fire; + They have profaned the dwelling place of thy name even to the ground. + They said in their heart, Let us make havoc of them altogether: + They have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land</i>. + + Psalms 74: 5-8. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_ILL" id="link2H_ILL"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ILLUSTRATIONS (Not available in this edition) + </h2> + <p> + <br />ABOUT NOON ON THE DAY OF CAPITULATION, MAY 25, 1921, A DETACHMENT OF + GERMAN SOLDIERS MARCHED UNOBSERVED UP BROADWAY, <br />TURNED INTO WALL + STREET, AND STOPPED OUTSIDE THE BANKING HOUSE OP J. P. MORGAN & + COMPANY <br /> <br />AS THE GERMAN LANDING OPERATIONS PROCEEDED, THE NEWS OF + THE INVASION SPREAD OVER THE WHOLE REGION WITH THE SPEED OF <br />ELECTRICITY. + THE ENEMY WAS COMING! THE ENEMY WAS HERE! WHAT WAS TO BE DONE? <br /> <br />THEN, + FACING INEXORABLE NECESSITY, GENERAL WOOD ORDERED HIS ENGINEERS TO BLOW UP + THE BRIDGES AND FLOOD THE SUBWAYS THAT <br />LED TO MANHATTAN. IT WAS AS IF + THE VAST STEEL STRUCTURE OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE HAD BEEN A THING OF LACE. IN + SHREDS IT FELL, <br />A TORN, TRAGICALLY WRECKED PIECE OF MAGNIFICENCE + <br /> <br />THE PEOPLE KNEW THE ANSWER OF VON HINDENBURG. THEY HAD READ IT, + AS HAD ALL THE WORLD FOR MILES AROUND, IN THE CATACLYSM <br />OF THE + PLUNGING TOWERS. NEW YORK MUST SURRENDER OR PERISH! <br /> <br />GERMAN GUNS + DESTROY THE HOTEL TAFT <br /> <br />"YOU KNOW, MARK TWAIN WAS A GREAT FRIEND + OF MY FATHER’S,” SAID THE CROWN PRINCE. “I REMEMBER HOW MY FATHER LAUGHED, + ONE <br />EVENING AT THE PALACE IN BERLIN, WHEN MARK TWAIN TOLD US THE + STORY OF ‘THE JUMPING FROG.’” <br /> <br />AND ON THE MORNING OF JULY 4, TWO + OF VON KLUCK’S STAFF OFFICERS, ACCOMPANIED BY A MILITARY ESCORT, MARCHED + DOWN STATE <br />STREET TO ARRANGE FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN INDEMNITY PROM THE + CITY OF BOSTON OF THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS <br /> <br />"MY FRIENDS, + THEY SAY PATRIOTISM IS DEAD IN THIS LAND. THEY SAY WE ARE EATEN UP WITH + LOVE OF MONEY, TAINTED WITH A <br />YELLOW STREAK THAT MAKES US AFRAID TO + FIGHT. IT’S A LIE! I AM SIXTY YEARS OLD, BUT I’LL FIGHT IN THE TRENCHES + WITH MY <br />FOUR SONS BESIDE ME, AND YOU MEN WILL DO THE SAME. AM I + RIGHT?” <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE CONQUEST OF AMERICA + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS + </h2> + <p> + The purpose of this story is to give an idea of what might happen to + America, being defenceless as at present, if she should be attacked, say + at the close of the great European war, by a mighty and victorious power + like Germany. It is a plea for military preparedness in the United States. + </p> + <p> + As justifying this plea let us consider briefly and in a fair-minded + spirit the arguments of our pacifist friends who, being sincerely opposed + to military preparedness, would bring us to their way of thinking. + </p> + <p> + On June 10, 1915, in a statement to the American people, following his + resignation as Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan said: + </p> + <p> + Some nation must lead the world out of the black night of war into the + light of that day when “swords shall be beaten into plow-shares.” Why not + make that honour ours? Some day—why not now?—the nations will + learn that enduring peace cannot be built upon fear—that good-will + does not grow upon the stalk of violence. Some day the nations will place + their trust in love, the weapon for which there is no shield; in love, + that suffereth long and is kind; in love, that is not easily provoked, + that beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth + all things; in love, which, though despised as weakness by the worshippers + of Mars, abideth when all else fails. + </p> + <p> + These are noble words. They thrill and inspire us as they have thrilled + and inspired millions before us, yet how little the world has seen of the + actual carrying out of their beautiful message! The average individual in + America still clings to whatever he has of material possessions with all + the strength that law and custom give him. He keeps what he has and takes + what he can honourably get, unconcerned by the fact that millions of his + fellow men are in distress or by the knowledge that many of the rich whom + he envies or honours may have gained their fortunes, privilege or power by + unfair or dishonest means. + </p> + <p> + In every land there are similar extremes of poverty and riches, but these + could not exist in a world governed by the law of love or ready to be so + governed, since love would destroy the ugly train of hatreds, arrogances, + miseries, injustices and crimes that spread before us everywhere in the + existing social order and that only fail to shock us because we are + accustomed to a regime in which self-interest rather than love or justice + is paramount. + </p> + <p> + My point is that if individuals are thus universally, or almost + universally, selfish, nations must also be selfish, since nations are only + aggregations of individuals. If individuals all over the world to-day + place the laws of possession and privilege and power above the law of + love, then nations will inevitably do the same. If there is constant + jealousy and rivalry and disagreement among individuals there will surely + be the same among nations, and it is idle for Mr. Bryan to talk about + putting our trust in love collectively when we do nothing of the sort + individually. Would Mr. Bryan put his trust in love if he felt himself the + victim of injustice or dishonesty? + </p> + <p> + Once in a century some Tolstoy tries to practise literally the law of love + and non-resistance with results that are distressing to his family and + friends, and that are of doubtful value to the community. We may be sure + the nations of the world will never practise this beautiful law of love + until average citizens of the world practise it, and that time has not + come. + </p> + <p> + Of course, Mr. Bryan’s peace plan recognises the inevitability of quarrels + or disagreements among nations, but proposes to have these settled by + arbitration or by the decisions of an international tribunal, which + tribunal may be given adequate police power in the form of an + international army and navy. + </p> + <p> + It goes without saying that such a plan of world federation and world + arbitration involves universal disarmament, all armies and all navies must + be reduced to a merely nominal strength, to a force sufficient for police + protection, but does any one believe that this plan can really be carried + out? Is there the slightest chance that Russia or Germany will disarm? Is + there the slightest chance that England will send her fleet to the scrap + heap and leave her empire defenceless in order to join this world + federation? Is there the slightest chance that Japan, with her dreams of + Asiatic sovereignty, will disarm? + </p> + <p> + And if the thing were conceivable, what a grim federation this would be of + jealousies, grievances, treacheries, hatreds, conflicting patriotisms and + ambitions—Russia wanting Constantinople, France Alsace-Lorraine, + Germany Calais, Spain Gibraltar, Denmark her ravished provinces, Poland + her national integrity and so on. Who would keep order among the + international delegates? Who would decide when the international judges + disagreed? Who would force the international policemen to act against + their convictions? Could any world tribunal induce the United States to + limit her forces for the prevention of a yellow immigration from Asia? + </p> + <p> + General Homer Lea in “The Valour of Ignorance” says: + </p> + <p> + Only when arbitration is able to unravel the tangled skein of crime and + hypocrisy among individuals can it be extended to communities and nations, + as nations are only man in the aggregate, they are the aggregate of his + crimes and deception and depravity, and so long as these constitute the + basis of individual impulse, so long will they control the acts of + nations. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Charles W. Eliot, president emeritus of Harvard University and trustee + of the Carnegie Peace Foundation, makes this admission in <i>The Army and + Navy Journal:</i> + </p> + <p> + I regret to say that international or national disarmament is not taken + seriously by the leaders and thinking men of the more important peoples, + and I fear that for one reason or another neither the classes nor the + masses have much admiration for the idea or would be willing to do their + share to bring it about. + </p> + <p> + Here is the crux of the question, the earth has so much surface and to-day + this is divided up in a certain way by international frontiers. Yesterday + it was divided up in a different way. To-morrow it will again be divided + up in a new way, unless some world federation steps in and says: “Stop! + There are to be no more wars. The present frontiers of the existing + fifty-three nations are to be considered as righteously and permanently + established. After this no act of violence shall change them.” + </p> + <p> + Think what that would mean! It would mean that nations like Russia, Great + Britain and the United States, which happened to possess vast dominions + when this world federation peace plan was adopted would continue to + possess vast dominions, while other nations like Italy, Greece, Turkey, + Holland, Sweden, France, Spain (all great empires once), Germany and + Japan, whose present share of the earth’s surface might be only one-tenth + or one-fiftieth or one-five-hundredth as great as Russia’s share or Great + Britain’s share, would be expected to remain content with that small + portion. + </p> + <p> + Impossible! These less fortunate, but not less aspiring nations would + never agree to such a policy of national stagnation, to such a stifling of + their legitimate longings for a “greater place in the sun.” They would + point to the pages of history and show how small nations have become great + and how empires have fallen. What was the mighty United States of America + but yesterday? A handful of feeble colonies far weaker than the Balkan + States to-day. + </p> + <p> + “Why should this particular moment be chosen,” they would protest, “to + render immovable international frontiers that have always been shifting? + Why should the maps of the world be now finally crystallised so as to give + England millions of square miles in every quarter of the globe, Canada, + Australia, India, Egypt, while we possess so little? Did God make England + so much better than he made us? Why should the Russian Empire sweep across + two continents while our territory is crowded into a corner of one? Is + Russia so supremely deserving? And why should the United States possess as + much of the earth’s surface as Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, + Austria-Hungary, Denmark, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Roumania, Spain, + Norway, Sweden and Japan all together and, besides that, claim authority + to say, through the Monroe Doctrine, what shall happen or shall not happen + in South America, Mexico, the West Indies and the Pacific? How did the + United States get this authority and this vast territory? How did Russia + get her vast territory? How did England get her vast territory?” + </p> + <p> + The late Professor J. A. Cramb, an Englishman himself, gives us one answer + in his powerful and illuminating book, “Germany and England,” and shows us + how England, in the view of many, got <i>her</i> possessions: + </p> + <p> + England! The successful burglar, who, an immense fortune amassed, has + retired from business, and having broken every law, human and divine, + violated every instinct of honour and fidelity on every sea and on every + continent, desires now the protection of the police!... So long as + England, the great robber-state, retains her booty, the spoils of a world, + what right has she to expect peace from the nations? + </p> + <p> + In reply to Mr. Bryan’s peace exhortations, some of the smaller but more + efficient world powers, certainly Germany and Japan, would recall similar + cynical teachings of history and would smilingly answer: “We approve of + your beautiful international peace plan, of your admirable world police + plan, but before putting it into execution, we prefer to wait a few + hundred years and see if we also, in the ups and downs of nations, cannot + win for ourselves, by conquest or cunning or other means not provided for + in the law of love, a great empire covering a vast portion of the earth’s + surface.” + </p> + <p> + The force and justice of this argument will be appreciated, to use a + homely comparison, by those who have studied the psychology of poker games + and observed the unvarying willingness of heavy winners to end the + struggle after a certain time, while the losers insist upon playing + longer. + </p> + <p> + It will be the same in this international struggle for world supremacy, + the only nations willing to stop fighting will be the ones that are far + ahead of the game, like Great Britain, Russia and the United States. + </p> + <p> + We may be sure that wars will continue on the earth. War may be a + biological necessity in the development of the human race—God’s + housecleaning, as Ella Wheeler Wilcox calls it. War may be a great soul + stimulant meant to purge mankind of evils greater than itself, evils of + baseness and world degeneration. We know there are blighted forests that + must be swept clean by fire. Let us not scoff at such a theory until we + understand the immeasurable mysteries of life and death. We know that, + through the ages, two terrific and devastating racial impulses have made + themselves felt among men and have never been restrained, sex attraction + and war. Perhaps they were not meant to be restrained. + </p> + <p> + Listen to John Ruskin, apostle of art and spirituality: + </p> + <p> + All the pure and noble arts of peace are founded on war. No great art ever + rose on earth but among a nation of soldiers. There is no great art + possible to a nation but that which is based on battle. When I tell you + that war is the foundation of all the arts, I mean also that it is the + foundation of all the high virtues and faculties of men. It was very + strange for me to discover this, and very dreadful, but I saw it to be + quite an undeniable fact. The common notion that peace and the virtues of + civil life flourished together I found to be utterly untenable. We talk of + peace and learning, of peace and plenty, of peace and civilisation; but I + found that these are not the words that the Muse of History coupled + together; that on her lips the words were peace and sensuality, peace and + selfishness, peace and death. I found in brief that all great nations + learned their truth of word and strength of thought in war; that they were + nourished in war and wasted in peace; taught by war and deceived by peace; + trained by war and betrayed by peace; in a word, that they were born in + war and expired in peace. + </p> + <p> + We know Bernhardi’s remorseless views taken from Treitschke and adopted by + the whole German nation: + </p> + <p> + “War is a fiery crucible, a terrible training school through which the + world has grown better.” + </p> + <p> + In his impressive work, “The Game of Empires,” Edward S. Van Zile quotes + Major General von Disfurth, a distinguished retired officer of the German + army, who chants so fierce a glorification of war for the German idea, war + for German Kultur, war at all costs and with any consequences that one + reads with a shudder of amazement: + </p> + <p> + Germany stands as the supreme arbiter of her own methods. It is of no + consequence whatever if all the monuments ever created, all the pictures + ever painted, and all the buildings ever erected by the great architects + of the world be destroyed, if by their destruction we promote Germany’s + victory over her enemies. The commonest, ugliest stone that marks the + burial place of a German grenadier is a more glorious and venerable + monument than all the cathedrals of Europe put together. They call us + barbarians. What of it? We scorn them and their abuse. For my part, I hope + that in this war we have merited the title of barbarians. Let neutral + peoples and our enemies cease their empty chatter, which may well be + compared to the twitter of birds. Let them cease to talk of the cathedral + of Rheims and of all the churches and all the castles in France which have + shared its fate. These things do not interest us. Our troops must achieve + victory. What else matters? + </p> + <p> + Obviously there are cases where every noble sentiment would impel a nation + to go to war. A solemn promise broken, a deliberate insult to the flag, an + act of intolerable bullying, some wicked purpose of self-aggrandisement at + the expense of weaker nations, anything, in short, that flaunted the + national honour or imperilled the national integrity would be a call to + war that must be heeded by valiant and high-souled citizens, in all lands. + Nor can we have any surety against such wanton international acts, so long + as the fate of nations is left in the hands of small autocracies or + military and diplomatic cliques empowered to act without either the + knowledge or approval of the people. Wars will never be abolished until + the war-making power is taken from the few and jealously guarded by the + whole people, and only exercised after public discussion of the matters at + issue and a public understanding of inevitable consequences. At present it + is evident that the pride, greed, madness of one irresponsible King, + Emperor, Czar, Mikado or President may plunge the whole world into + war-misery that will last for generations. + </p> + <p> + There are other cases where war is not only inevitable, but actually + desirable from a standpoint of world advantage. Imagine a highly civilised + and progressive nation, a strong prosperous nation, wisely and efficiently + governed, as may be true, some day, of the United States of America. Let + us suppose this nation to be surrounded by a number of weak and + unenlightened states, always quarrelling, badly and corruptly managed, + like Mexico and some of the Central American republics. Would it not be + better for the world if this strong, enlightened nation took possession of + its backward neighbours, even by force of arms, and taught them how to + live and how to make the best of their neglected resources and + possibilities? Would not these weak nations be more prosperous and happier + after incorporation with the strong nation? Is not Egypt better off and + happier since the British occupation? Were not the wars that created + united Italy and united Germany justified? Does any one regret our civil + war? It was necessary, was it not? + </p> + <p> + Similarly it is better for the world that we fought and conquered the + American Indians and took their land to use it, in accordance with our + higher destiny, for greater and nobler purposes than they could either + conceive of or execute. It is better for the world that by a revolution + (even a disingenuous one) we took Panama from incompetent Colombians and, + by our intelligence, our courage and our vast resources, changed a + fever-ridden strip of jungle into a waterway that now joins two oceans and + will save untold billions for the commerce of the earth. + </p> + <p> + Carrying a step farther this idea of world efficiency through war, it is + probable that future generations will be grateful to some South American + nation, perhaps Brazil, or Chile or the Argentine Republic, that shall one + day be wise and strong enough to lay the foundations on the field of + battle (Mr. Bryan may think this could be accomplished by peaceful + negotiations, but he is mistaken) for the United States of South America. + </p> + <p> + And why not ultimately the United States of Europe, the United States of + Asia, the United States of Africa, all created by useful and progressive + wars? Consider the increased efficiency, prosperity and happiness that + must come through such unions of small nations now trying separately and + ineffectively to carry on multiple activities that could be far better + carried on collectively. Our American Union, born of war, proves this, + does it not? + </p> + <p> + “United we stand, divided we fall,” applies not merely to states, counties + and townships, but to nations, to empires, to continents. Continents will + be the last to join hands across the seas (having first waged vast + inter-continental wars) and then, after the rise and fall of many + sovereignties, there will be established on the earth the last great + government, the United States of the World! + </p> + <p> + That is the logical limit of human activities. Are we not all citizens of + the earth, descended from the same parents, born with the same needs and + capacities? Why should there be fifty-three barriers dividing men into + fifty-three nations? Why should there be any other patriotism than world + patriotism? Or any other government than one world government? + </p> + <p> + When this splendid ultimate consummation has been achieved, after ages of + painful evolution (we must remember that the human race is still in its + infancy) our remote descendants, united in language, religion and customs, + with a great world representative government finally established and the + law of love prevailing, may begin preparations for a grand world + celebration of the last war. Say, in the year A.D. 2921! + </p> + <p> + But not until then! + </p> + <p> + If this reasoning is sound, if war must be regarded, for centuries to + come, as an inevitable part of human existence, then let us, as loyal + Americans, realise that, hate war as we may, there is only way in which + the United States can be insured against the horrors of armed invasion, + with the shame of disastrous defeat and possible dismemberment, and that + is by developing the strength and valiance to meet all probable assailants + on land or sea. + </p> + <p> + Whether we like it or not we are a great world power, fated to become far + greater, unless we throw away our advantages; we must either accept the + average world standards, which call for military preparedness, or impose + new standards upon a world which concedes no rights to nations that have + not the might to guard and enforce those rights. + </p> + <p> + Why should we Americans hesitate to pay the trifling cost of insurance + against war? Trifling? Yes. The annual cost of providing and maintaining + an adequate army and navy would be far less than we spend every year on + tobacco and alcohol. Less than fifty cents a month from every citizen + would be sufficient. That amount, wisely expended, would enormously lessen + the probability of war and would allow the United States, if war came, to + face its enemies with absolute serenity. The Germans are willing to pay + the cost of preparedness. So are the French, the Italians, the Japanese, + the Swiss, the Balkan peoples, the Turks. Do we love our country less than + they do? Do we think our institutions, our freedom less worthy than theirs + of being guarded for posterity? + </p> + <p> + Why should we not adopt a system of military training something like the + one that has given such excellent results in Switzerland? Why not cease to + depend upon our absurd little standing army which, for its strength and + organisation, is frightfully expensive and absolutely inadequate, and + depend instead upon a citizenry trained and accustomed to arms, with a + permanent body of competent officers, at least 50,000, whose lives would + be spent in giving one year military training to the young men of this + nation, all of them, say between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three, so + that these young men could serve their country efficiently, if the need + arose? Why not accept the fact that it is neither courageous nor + democratic for us to depend upon hired soldiers to defend our country? + </p> + <p> + Does any one doubt that a year of such military training would be of + lasting benefit to the men of America? Would it not school them in + much-needed habits of discipline and self-control, habits which must be + learned sooner or later if a man is to succeed? Would not the open air + life, the physical exercise, the regularity of hours tend to improve their + health and make them better citizens? + </p> + <p> + Suppose that once every five years all American men up to fifty were + required to go into military camp and freshen up on their defence duties + for twenty or thirty days. Would that do them any harm? On the contrary, + it would do them immense good. + </p> + <p> + And even if war never came, is it not evident that America would benefit + in numberless ways by such a development of the general manhood spirit? + Who can say how much of Germany’s greatness in business and commerce, in + the arts and sciences, is due to the fact that <i>all</i> her men, through + military schooling, have learned precious lessons in self-control and + obedience? + </p> + <p> + The pacifists tell us that after the present European war, we shall have + nothing to fear for many years from exhausted Europe, but let us not be + too sure of that. History teaches that long and costly wars do not + necessarily exhaust a nation or lessen its readiness to undertake new + wars. On the contrary, the habit of fighting leads easily to more + fighting. The Napoleonic wars lasted over twenty years. At the close of + our civil war we had great generals and a formidable army of veteran + soldiers and would have been willing and able immediately to engage in a + fresh war against France had she not yielded to our demand and withdrawn + Maximilian from Mexico. Bulgaria recently fought two wars within a year, + the second leaving her exhausted and prostrate; yet within two years she + was able to enter upon a third war stronger than ever. + </p> + <p> + If Germany wins in the present great conflict she may quite conceivably + turn to America for the vast money indemnity that she will be unable to + exact from her depleted enemies in Europe; and if Germany loses or half + loses she may decide to retrieve her desperate fortunes in this tempting + and undefended field. With her African empire hopelessly lost to her, + where more naturally than to facile America will she turn for her coveted + place in the sun? + </p> + <p> + And if not Germany, it may well be some other great nation that will + attack us. Perhaps Great Britain! Especially if our growing merchant + marine threatens her commercial supremacy of the sea, which is her life. + Perhaps Japan! whose attack on Germany in 1914 shows plainly that she + merely awaits favourable opportunity to dispose of any of her rivals in + the Orient. Let us bear in mind that, in the opinion of the world’s + greatest authorities, we Americans are to-day totally unprepared to defend + ourselves against a first-class foreign power. My story aims to show this, + and high officers in our army and navy, who have assisted me in the + preparation of this book and to whom I am grateful, assure me that I have + set forth the main facts touching our military defencelessness without + exaggeration. C. M. + </p> + <h3> + WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY, 1916. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — I WITNESS THE BLOWING UP OF THE PANAMA CANAL + </h2> + <p> + In my thirty years’ service as war correspondent of the London <i>Times</i> + I have looked behind the scenes of various world happenings, and have + known the thrill of personally facing some great historic crises; but + there is nothing in my experience so dramatic, so pregnant with human + consequences, as the catastrophe of April 27, 1921, when the Gatun Locks + of the Panama Canal were destroyed by dynamite. + </p> + <p> + At that moment I was seated on the shaded, palm-bordered piazza of the + Grand Hotel at Colon, discussing with Rear-Admiral Thomas Q. Allyn of the + United States Navy the increasing chances that America might find herself + plunged into war with Japan. For weeks the clouds had been darkening, and + it was now evident that the time had come when the United States must + either abandon the Monroe Doctrine and the open door in China, or fight to + maintain these doctrines. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Langston,” the Admiral was saying, “the situation is extremely grave. + Japan intends to carry out her plans of expansion in Mexico and China, and + possibly in the Philippines; there is not a doubt of it. Her fleet is + cruising somewhere in the Pacific,—we don’t know where,—and + our Atlantic fleet passed through the Canal yesterday, as you know, to + make a demonstration of force in the Pacific and to be ready for—for + whatever may come.” + </p> + <p> + His hands closed nervously, and he studied the horizon with half-shut + eyes. + </p> + <p> + In the course of our talk Admiral Allyn had admitted that the United + States was woefully unprepared for conflict with a great power, either on + sea or land. + </p> + <p> + “The blow will be struck suddenly,” he went on, “you may be sure of that. + Our military preparations are so utterly inadequate that we may suffer + irreparable harm before we can begin to use our vast resources. You know + when Prussia struck Austria in 1866 the war was over in three months. When + Germany struck France in 1870 the decisive battle, Sedan, was fought + forty-seven days later. When Japan struck Russia, the end was foreseen + within four or five months.” + </p> + <p> + “It wasn’t so in the great European war,” I remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Why not? Because England held the mastery of the sea. But we hold the + mastery of nothing. Our fleet is barely third among the nations and we are + frightfully handicapped by our enormous length of coast line and by this + canal.” + </p> + <p> + “The Canal gives us a great advantage, doesn’t it? I thought it doubled + the efficiency of our fleet?” + </p> + <p> + “It does nothing of the sort. The Canal may be seized. It may be put out + of commission for weeks or months by landslides or earthquakes. A few + hostile ships of the <i>Queen Elizabeth</i> class lying ten miles off + shore at either end, with ranges exactly fixed, or a good shot from an + aeroplane, could not only destroy the Canal’s insufficient defences, but + could prevent our fleet from coming through, could hold it, useless, in + the Atlantic when it might be needed to save California or useless in the + Pacific when it might be needed to save New York. If it happened when war + began that one half of our fleet was in the Atlantic and the other half in + the Pacific, then the enemy could keep these two halves separated and + destroy them one by one.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you mean that we need two fleets?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we do—a child can see it—if we are to guard our two + seaboards. We must have a fleet in the Atlantic strong enough to resist + any probable attack from the East, and another fleet in the Pacific strong + enough to resist any probable attack from the West. + </p> + <p> + “But listen to this, think of this,” the veteran warrior leaned towards + me, shaking an eager fore-finger. “At the present moment our entire fleet, + if massed off Long Island, would be inferior to a fleet that Germany could + send across the Atlantic against us by many ships, many submarines and + many aeroplanes. And hopelessly inferior in men and ammunition, including + torpedoes.” + </p> + <p> + As I listened I felt myself falling under the spell of the Admiral’s + eloquence. He was so sure of what he said. These dangers unquestionably + existed, but—were they about to descend upon America? Must we really + face the horrors of a war of invasion? + </p> + <p> + “Your arguments are very convincing, sir, and yet—” I hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “You speak as if these things were going to happen <i>right now,</i> but + there are no signs of war, no clouds on the horizon.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral waved this aside with an impatient gesture. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you the blow will come suddenly. Were there any clouds on the + European horizon in July, 1914? Yet a few persons knew, just as I have + known for months, that war was inevitable.” + </p> + <p> + “Known?” I repeated. + </p> + <p> + Very deliberately the grizzled sea fighter lighted a fresh cigar before + replying. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Langston, I’ll tell you a little story that explains why I am posing + as a prophet. You can put it in your memoirs some day—if my prophecy + comes true. It’s the story of an American naval officer, a young + lieutenant, who—well, he went wrong about a year ago. He got into + the clutches of a woman spy in the employ of a foreign government. He met + this woman in Marseilles on our last Mediterranean cruise and fell in love + with her—hopelessly. She’s one of those devilish sirens that no + full-blooded man can resist and, the extraordinary part of it is, she fell + in love with him—genuinely in love. + </p> + <p> + “Well—it was a bad business. This officer gave the woman all he had, + told her all he knew, and finally he asked her to marry him. Yes. He + didn’t care what she was. He just wanted her. And she was so happy, so + crazy about him, that she almost yielded; she was ready to turn over a new + leaf, to settle down as his wife, but—” + </p> + <p> + “But she didn’t do it?” I smiled. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “He was a poor man—just a lieutenant’s pay and she couldn’t give up + her grand life. But she loved him enough to try to save him, enough to + leave him. She wrote him a wonderful letter, poured her soul out to him, + gave him certain military secrets of the government she was working for—they + would have shot her in a minute, you understand, if they had known it—and + she told him to take this information as a proof of her love and use it to + save the United States.” + </p> + <p> + I was listening now with absorbed interest. + </p> + <p> + “What government was she working for?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral paused to relight his cigar. + </p> + <p> + “Wait! The next thing was that this lieutenant came to me, as a friend of + his father and an admiral of the American fleet, and made a clean breast + of everything. He made his confession in confidence, but asked me to use + the knowledge as I saw fit without mentioning his name. I did use it and”—the + Admiral’s frown deepened—“the consequence was no one believed me. + They said the warning was too vague. You know the attitude of recent + administrations towards all questions of national defence. It’s always + politics before patriotism, always the fear of losing middle west pacifist + votes. It’s disgusting—horrible!” + </p> + <p> + “Was the warning really vague?” + </p> + <p> + “Vague. My God!” The old sea dog bounded from his chair. “I’ll tell you + how vague it was. A statement was definitely made that before May 1, 1921, + a great foreign power would make war upon the United States and would + begin by destroying the Panama Canal. To-day is April 27, 1921. I don’t + say these things are going to happen within three days but, Mr. Langston, + as purely as the sun shines on that ocean, we Americans are living in a + fool’s paradise. We are drunk with prosperity. We are deaf and blind to + the truth which is known to other nations, known to our enemies, known to + the ablest officers in our army and navy. + </p> + <p> + “The truth is that, as a nation, we have learned nothing from our past + wars because we have never had to fight a first-class power that was + prepared. But the next war, and it is surely coming, will find us held in + the grip of an inexorable law which provides that nations imitating the + military policy of China must suffer the fate of China.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral now explained why he had sent for me. It was to suggest that I + cable the London <i>Times</i>, urging my paper to use its influence, + through British diplomatic channels, to avert another great war. I pointed + out that the chances of such intervention were slight. Great Britain was + still smarting under the memory of Americans’ alleged indifference to + everything but money in 1918 when the United States stood by, + unprotesting, and saw England stripped of her mastery of the sea after the + loss of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. + </p> + <p> + “There are two sides to that,” frowned the Admiral, “but one thing is + certain—it’s England or no one. We have nothing to hope for from + Russia; she has what she wants—Constantinople. Nothing to hope for + from France; she has her lost provinces back. And as for Germany—Germany + is waiting, recuperating, watching her chance for a place in the South + American sun.” + </p> + <p> + “Germany managed well in the Geneva Peace Congress of 1919,” I said. + </p> + <p> + The veteran of Manila threw down his cigarette impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “Bismarck could have done no better. They bought off Europe, they crippled + England and—they isolated America.” + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” continued the Admiral, “I must show you some things in my + scrap book. You will be astonished. Wait a minute. I’ll get it.” + </p> + <p> + The old fellow hurried off and presently returned with a heavy volume + bound in red leather. + </p> + <p> + “Take it up to your room to-night and look it over. You will find the most + overwhelming mass of testimony to the effect that to-day, in spite of all + that has been said and written and all the money spent, the United States + is totally unprepared to defend its coasts or uphold its national honour. + Just open the book anywhere—you’ll see.” + </p> + <p> + I obeyed and came upon this statement by Theodore Roosevelt: + </p> + <p> + What befell Antwerp and Brussels will surely some day befall New York or + San Francisco, and may happen to many an inland city also, if we do not + shake off our supine folly, if we trust for safety to peace treaties + unbacked by force. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty strong words for an ex-President of the United States to be + using,” nodded the Admiral. “And true! Try another place.” + </p> + <p> + I did so and came upon this from the pen of Gerhard von + Schulze-Gaevernitz, professor of political economy at the University of + Freiburg and a member of the Reichstag: + </p> + <p> + Flattered and deftly lulled to sleep by British influence, public opinion + in the United States will not wake up until the ‘yellow New England’ of + the Orient, nurtured and deflected from Australia by England herself, + knocks at the gates of the new world. Not a patient and meek China, but a + warlike and conquest-bound Japan will be the aggressor when that day + comes. Then America will be forced to fight under unfavourable conditions. + </p> + <p> + The famous campaigner’s eyes flashed towards the Pacific. + </p> + <p> + “When that day comes! Ah! Speaking of Japan,” he turned over the pages in + nervous haste. “Here we are! You can see how much the Japanese love us! + Listen! This is an extract from the most popular book in Japan to-day. It + is issued by Japan’s powerful and official National Defence Association + with a view to inflaming the Japanese people against the United States and + preparing them for a war of invasion against this country. Listen to this: + </p> + <p> + “Let America beware! For our cry, ‘On to California! On to Hawaii! On to + the Philippines!’ is becoming only secondary to our imperial anthem!... To + arms! We must seize our standards, unfurl them to the winds and advance + without the least fear, as America has no army worthy the name, and with + the Panama Canal destroyed, its few battleships will be of no use until + too late. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Mr. Langston,” pursued the Admiral, “we Americans are to-day + the most hated nation on earth. The richest, the most arrogant, the most + hated nation on earth! And helpless! Defenceless! Believe me, that’s a bad + combination. Look at this! Read this! It’s a cablegram to the New York <i>Tribune</i>, + published on May 21, 1915, from Miss Constance Drexel, an American + delegate to the Woman’s Peace Conference at The Hague: + </p> + <p> + “I have just come out of Germany and perhaps the predominating impression + I bring with me is Germany’s hatred of America. Germany feels that war + with America is only a matter of time. Everywhere I went I found the same + sentiment, and the furthest distance away I found the war put was ten + years. It was said to me: ‘We must settle with England first, but then + will come America’s turn. If we don’t make war on you ourselves we will + get Japan into a war with you, and then we will supply arms and munitions + to Japan.’” + </p> + <p> + At this point, I remember, I had turned to order an orange liqueur, when + the crash came. + </p> + <p> + It was terrific. Every window in the hotel was shattered, and some scores + of labourers working near the Gatun Locks were killed instantly. Six + hundred tons of dynamite, secreted in the hold of a German merchantman, + had been exploded as the vessel passed through the locks, and ten thousand + tons of Portland cement had sunk in the tangled iron wreck, to form a huge + blockading mass of solid rock on the floor of the narrow passage. + </p> + <p> + Needless to say, every man on the German ship thus sacrificed died at his + post. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral stared in dismay when the news was brought to him. + </p> + <p> + “Germany!” he muttered. “And our fleet is in the Pacific!” + </p> + <p> + “Does it mean war?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course. Unquestionably it means war. We have been misled. We were + thinking of one enemy, and we have been struck by another. We thought we + could send our fleet through the Canal and get it back easily; but—now + we cannot get it back for at least two months!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — AMERICAN AEROPLANES AND SUBMARINES BATTLE DESPERATELY + AGAINST THE GERMAN FLEET + </h2> + <p> + A week later—or, to be exact, on May 4, 1921—I arrived in New + York, following instructions from my paper, and found the city in a state + of indescribable confusion and alarm. + </p> + <p> + War had been declared by Germany against the United States on the day that + the Canal was wrecked, and German transports, loaded with troops and + convoyed by a fleet of battleships, were known to be on the high seas, + headed for American shores. As the Atlantic fleet had been cut off in the + Pacific by that desperate piece of Panama strategy (the Canal would be + impassable for months), it was evident that those ships could be of no + service for at least eight weeks, the time necessary to make the trip + through the Straits of Magellan; and meanwhile the Atlantic seaboard from + Maine to Florida was practically unguarded. + </p> + <p> + No wonder the newspapers shrieked despairingly and bitterly upbraided + Congress for neglecting to provide the country with adequate naval + defences. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Roosevelt came out with a signed statement: + </p> + <p> + “Four years ago I warned this country that the United States must have two + great fleets—one for the Atlantic, one for the Pacific.” + </p> + <p> + Senator Smoot, in a sensational speech, referred to his vain efforts to + secure for the country a fleet of fifty sea-going submarines and + twenty-five coast-defence submarines. Now, he declared, the United States + would pay for its indifference to danger. + </p> + <p> + In the House of Representatives, Gardner and Hobson both declared that our + forts were antiquated, our coast-defence guns outranged, our artillery + ridiculously insufficient, and our supply of ammunition not great enough + to carry us through a single month of active warfare. + </p> + <p> + On the night of my arrival in Manhattan I walked through scenes of + delirious madness. The town seemed to reel in a sullen drunkenness. + Throngs filled the dark streets. The Gay White Way was no longer either + white or gay. The marvellous electrical display of upper Broadway had + disappeared—not even a street light was to be seen. And great + hotels, like the Plaza, the Biltmore, and the new Morgan, formerly so + bright, were scarcely discernible against the black skies. No one knew + where the German airships might be. Everybody shouted, but nobody made + very much noise. The city was hoarse. I remembered just how London acted + the night the first Zeppelin floated over the town. + </p> + <p> + At five o’clock the next morning, Mayor McAneny appointed a Committee of + Public Safety that went into permanent session in Madison Square Garden, + which was thronged day and night, while excited meetings, addressed by men + and women of all political parties, were held continuously in Union + Square, City Hall Park, Columbus Circle, at the Polo Grounds and in + various theatres and motion-picture houses. + </p> + <p> + Such a condition of excitement and terror necessarily led to disorder and + on May 11, 1921, General Leonard Wood, in command of the Eastern Army, + placed the city under martial law. + </p> + <p> + And now on every tongue were frantic questions. When would the Germans + land? To-day? To-morrow? Where would they strike first? What were we going + to do? Every one realised, when it was too late, the hopeless inadequacy + of our aeroplane scouting service. To guard our entire Atlantic seaboard + we had fifty military aeroplanes where we should have had a thousand and + we were wickedly lacking in pilots. Oh, the shame of those days! + </p> + <p> + In this emergency Rodman Wanamaker put at the disposal of the government + his splendid air yacht the <i>America II</i>, built on the exact lines of + the <i>America I</i>, winner of across-the-Atlantic prizes in 1918, but of + much larger spread and greater engine power. The America II could carry a + useful load of five tons and in her scouting work during the next + fortnight she accommodated a dozen passengers, four officers, a crew of + six, and two newspaper men, Frederick Palmer, representing the Associated + Press, and myself for the London <i>Times.</i> + </p> + <p> + What a tremendous thing it was, this scouting trip! Day after day, far out + over the ocean, searching for German battleships! Our easy jog trot speed + along the sky was sixty miles an hour and, under full engine pressure, the + <i>America II</i> could make a hundred and twenty, which was lucky for us + as it saved us many a time when the slower German aircraft came after us, + spitting bullets from their machine guns. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of May 12, a perfect spring day, circling at a height of + half a mile, about fifty miles off the eastern end of Long Island, we had + our first view of the German fleet as it ploughed through smooth seas to + the south of Montauk Point. + </p> + <p> + We counted eight battle cruisers, twelve dreadnoughts, ten + pre-dreadnoughts, and about sixty destroyers, in addition to transports, + food-ships, hospital-ships, repair-ships, colliers, and smaller fighting + and scouting vessels, all with their full complement of men and equipment, + moving along there below us in the pleasant sunshine. Among the troopships + I made out the <i>Kaiserin Auguste Luise</i> and the <i>Deutschland,</i> + on both of which I had crossed the summer following the Great Peace. I + thought of the jolly old commander of the latter vessel and of the capital + times we had had together at the big round table in the dining-saloon. It + seemed impossible that this was war! + </p> + <p> + I subsequently learned that the original plan worked out by the German + general staff contemplated a landing in the sheltered harbour of Montauk + Point, but the lengthened range (21,000 yards) of mortars in the American + forts on Fisher’s Island and Plum Island, a dozen miles to the north, now + brought Montauk Point under fire, so the open shore south of East Hampton + was substituted as the point of invasion. + </p> + <p> + “There’s no trouble about landing troops from the open sea in smooth + weather like this,” said Palmer, speaking through his head-set. “We did it + at Santiago, and the Japs did it at Port Arthur.” + </p> + <p> + “And the English did it at Ostend,” I agreed. “Hello!” + </p> + <p> + As I swept the sea to the west with my binoculars I thought I caught the + dim shape of a submerged submarine moving slowly through the black depths + like a hungry shark; but it disappeared almost immediately, and I was not + sure. As a matter of fact, it was a submarine, one of six American + under-water craft that had been assigned to patrol the south shore of Long + Island. + </p> + <p> + The United States still had twenty-five submarines in Atlantic waters, in + addition to thirty that were with the absent fleet; but these twenty-five + had been divided between Boston Harbour, Narragansett Bay, Delaware Bay, + Chesapeake Bay, and other vulnerable points, so that only six were left to + defend the approaches to New York City. And, of these six, five were + twenty-four hours late, owing, I heard later, to inexcusable delays at the + Brooklyn Navy Yard, where they had been undergoing repairs. The + consequence was that only the K-2 was here to meet the German invasion—one + lone submarine against a mighty fleet. + </p> + <p> + Still, under favourable conditions, one lone submarine is a force to be + reckoned with, as England learned in 1915. + </p> + <p> + The K-2 attacked immediately, revealing her periscope for a minute as she + took her observations. Then she launched a torpedo at a big German + supply-ship not more than a thousand yards away. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, ship!” said Palmer, and we watched with fascinated interest the + swift white line that marked the course of the torpedo. It struck the + vessel squarely amidships, and she sank within five minutes, most of the + men aboard being rescued by boats from the fleet. + </p> + <p> + It now went ill with the K-2, however; for, having revealed her presence, + she was pursued by the whole army of swift destroyers. She dived, and came + up again two miles to the east, bent on sinking a German dreadnought; but, + unfortunately, she rose to the surface almost under the nose of one of the + destroyers, which bombarded her with its rapid-fire guns, and then, when + she sank once more, dropped on her a small mine that exploded under water + with shattering effect, finishing her. + </p> + <p> + As I think it over, I feel sure that if those other five submarines had + been ready with the K-2, we might have had another story to tell. Possibly + the slowness of the Brooklyn Navy Yard—which is notorious, I + understand—may have spoiled the one chance that America had to + resist this invasion. + </p> + <p> + The next day the five tardy submarines arrived; but conditions were now + less favourable, since the invaders had had time to prepare their defence + against this under-water peril. As we flew over East Hampton on the + following afternoon, we were surprised to see five fully inflated + air-ships of the nonrigid Parseval type floating in the blue sky, like + grim sentinels guarding the German fleet. Down through the sun-lit ocean + they could see the shadowy underwater craft lurking in the depths, and + they carried high explosives to destroy them. + </p> + <p> + “How about our aeroplanes?” grumbled Palmer. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” I answered, pointing toward the Shinnecock Hills, where some tiny + specks appeared like soaring eagles. “They’re coming!” + </p> + <p> + The American aeroplanes, at least, were on time, and as they swept nearer + we counted ten of them, and our spirits rose; for ten swift aeroplanes + armed with explosive bombs can make a lot of trouble for slower and + clumsier aircraft. + </p> + <p> + But alas for our hopes! The invaders were prepared also, and, before the + American fliers had come within striking distance, they found themselves + opposed by a score of military hydroplanes that rose presently, with a + great whirring of propellers, from the decks of the German battle-ships. + Had the Americans been able to concentrate here their entire force of + fifty aeroplanes, the result might have been different; but the fifty had + been divided along the Atlantic coast—ten aeroplanes and five + submarines being assigned to each harbour that was to be defended. + </p> + <p> + Now came the battle. And for hours, until night fell, we watched a strange + and terrible conflict between these forces of air and water. With + admirable skill and daring the American aeronauts manoeuvred for positions + above the Parsevals, whence they could drop bombs; and so swift and + successful were they that two of the enemy’s air-ships were destroyed + before the German aeroplanes really came into the action. After that it + went badly for the American fliers, which were shot down, one by one, + until only three of the ten remained. Then these three, seeing destruction + inevitable, signalled for a last united effort, and, all together, flew at + full speed straight for the great yellow gas-bag of the biggest Parseval + and for certain death. As they tore into the flimsy air-ship there came a + blinding flash, an explosion that shook the hills, and that brave deed was + done. + </p> + <p> + There remained two Parsevals to aid the enemy’s fleet in its fight against + American submarines, and I wish I might describe this fight in more + detail. We saw a German transport torpedoed by the B-1; we saw two + submarines sunk by rapid-fire guns of the destroyers; we saw a + battle-cruiser crippled by the glancing blow of a torpedo; and we saw the + K-1 blown to pieces by bombs from the air-ships. Two American submarines + were still fighting, and of these one, after narrowly missing a + dreadnought, sent a troop-ship to the bottom, and was itself rammed and + sunk by a destroyer, the sea being spread with oil. The last submarine + took to flight, it seems, because her supply of torpedoes was exhausted. + And this left the invaders free to begin their landing operations. + </p> + <p> + During four wonderful days (the Germans were favoured by light northeast + breezes) Palmer and I hovered over these East Hampton shores, watching the + enemy construct their landing platforms of brick and timbers from + dynamited houses, watching the black transports as they disgorged from + lighters upon the gleaming sand dunes their swarms of soldiers, their + thousands of horses, their artillery, their food supplies. There seemed no + limit to what these mighty vessels could carry. + </p> + <p> + We agreed that the great 50,000-ton <i>Imperator</i> alone brought at + least fifteen thousand men with all that they needed. And I counted twenty + other huge transports; so my conservative estimate, cabled to the paper by + way of Canada,—for the direct cables were cut,—was that in + this invading expedition Germany had successfully landed on the shores of + Long Island one hundred and fifty thousand fully equipped fighting-men. It + seemed incredible that the great United States, with its vast wealth and + resources, could be thus easily invaded; and I recalled with a pang what a + miserable showing England had made in 1915 from similar unpreparedness. + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: AS THE GERMAN LANDING OPERATIONS PROCEEDED, THE NEWS OF THE + INVASION SPREAD OVER THE WHOLE REGION WITH THE SPEED OF ELECTRICITY. THE + ENEMY WAS COMING! THE ENEMY WAS HERE. WHAT WAS TO BE DONE?} + </p> + <p> + As the German landing operations proceeded, the news of the invasion + spread over the whole region with the speed of electricity, and in every + town and village on Long Island angry and excited and terrified crowds + cursed and shouted and wept in the streets. + </p> + <p> + The enemy was coming! + </p> + <p> + The enemy was here! + </p> + <p> + What was to be done? + </p> + <p> + Should they resist? + </p> + <p> + And many valorous speeches in the spirit of ‘76 were made by farmers and + clerks and wild-eyed women. What was to be done? + </p> + <p> + In the peaceful town of East Hampton some sniping was done, and afterward + bitterly repented of, the occasion being the arrival of a company of + Uhlans with gleaming helmets, who galloped down the elm-lined main street + with requisitions for food and supplies. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a shot was fired from Bert Osborne’s livery stable, then another + from White’s drug store, then several others, and one of the Uhlans reeled + in his saddle, slightly wounded. Whereupon, to avenge this attack and + teach Long Islanders to respect their masters, the German fleet was + ordered to shell the village. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later George Edwards, who was beating up the coast in his + trim fishing schooner, after a two weeks’ absence in Barnegat Bay (he had + heard nothing about the war with Germany), was astonished to see a German + soldier in formidable helmet silhouetted against the sky on the eleventh + tee of the Easthampton golf course, one of the three that rise above the + sand dunes along the surging ocean, wigwagging signals to the warships off + shore. And, presently, Edwards saw an ominous puff of white smoke break + out from one of the dreadnoughts and heard the boom of a twelve-inch gun. + </p> + <p> + The first shell struck the stone tower of the Episcopal church and hurled + fragments of it against the vine-covered cottage next door, which had been + the home a hundred and twenty years before of John Howard Payne, the + original “home sweet home.” + </p> + <p> + The second shell struck John Drew’s summer home and set it on fire; the + third wrecked the Casino; the fourth destroyed Albert Herter’s studio and + slightly injured Edward T. Cockcroft and Peter Finley Dunne, who were + playing tennis on the lawn. That night scarcely a dozen buildings in this + beautiful old town remained standing. And the dead numbered more than + three hundred, half of them being women and children. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — GERMAN INVADERS DRIVE THE IRON INTO THE SOUL OF + UNPREPARED AMERICA + </h2> + <p> + The next week was one of deep humiliation for the American people. Our + great fleet and our great Canal, which had cost so many hundreds of + millions and were supposed to guarantee the safety of our coasts, had + failed us in this hour of peril. + </p> + <p> + Secretary Alger, in the Spanish War, never received half the punishment + that the press now heaped on the luckless officials of the War and the + Navy Departments. + </p> + <p> + The New York <i>Tribune</i>, in a scathing attack upon the administration, + said: + </p> + <p> + The blow has fallen and the United States is totally unprepared to meet + it. Why? Because the Democratic party, during its eight years’ tenure of + office, has obstinately, stupidly and wickedly refused to do what was + necessary to make this country safe against invasion by a foreign power. + There has been a surfeit of talking, of explaining and of promising, but + of definite accomplishment very little, and to-day, in our extreme peril, + we find ourselves without an army or a navy that can cope with the + invaders and protect our shores and our homes. + </p> + <p> + Richard Harding Davis, in the <i>Evening Sun</i>, denounced unsparingly + those Senators and Congressmen who, in 1916, had voted against national + preparedness: + </p> + <p> + For our present helpless condition and all that results from it, let the + responsibility rest upon these Senators and Congressmen, who, for their + own selfish ends, have betrayed the country. They are as guilty of treason + as was ever Benedict Arnold. Were some of them hanged, the sight of them + with their toes dancing on air might inspire other Congressmen to consider + the safety of this country rather than their own re-election. + </p> + <p> + The New York <i>World</i> published a memorable letter written by Samuel + J. Tilden in December, 1885, to Speaker Carlisle of the Forty-ninth + Congress on the subject of national defence and pointed out that Mr. + Tilden was a man of far vision, intellectually the foremost democrat of + his day. In this letter Mr. Tilden said: + </p> + <p> + The property exposed to destruction in the twelve seaports, Portland, + Portsmouth, Boston, Newport, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, + Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Galveston and San Francisco, cannot be + less in value than five thousand millions of dollars.... While we may + afford to be deficient in the means of offence we cannot afford to be + defenceless. The notoriety of the fact that we have neglected the ordinary + precautions of defence invites want of consideration in our diplomacy, + injustice, arrogance and insult at the hands of foreign nations. + </p> + <p> + To add to the general indignation, it transpired that the American reserve + fleet, consisting of ten predreadnoughts, was tied up in the docks of + Philadelphia, unable to move for lack of officers and men to handle them. + After frantic orders from Washington and the loss of precious days, some + two thousand members of the newly organised naval reserve were rushed to + Philadelphia; but eight thousand men were needed to move this secondary + fleet, and, even if the eight thousand had been forthcoming, it would have + been too late; for by this time a German dreadnought was guarding the + mouth of Delaware Bay, and these inferior ships would never have braved + its guns. So here were seventy-five million dollars’ worth of American + fighting-ships rendered absolutely useless and condemned to be idle during + the whole war because of bad organisation. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the Germans were marching along the Motor Parkway toward New + York City with an army of a hundred and fifty thousand, against which + General Wood, by incredible efforts, was able to oppose a badly organised, + inharmonious force of thirty thousand, including Federals and militia that + had never once drilled together in large manoeuvres. Of Federal troops + there was one regiment of infantry from Governor’s Island, and this was + short of men. There were two infantry regiments from Forts Niagara and + Porter, in New York State. Also a regiment of colored cavalry from Fort + Ethan Allen, Vermont, a battalion of field artillery from Fort Myer, + Virginia, a battalion of engineers from Washington, D. C., a battalion of + coast artillery organised as siege artillery from Fort Dupont, Delaware, a + regiment of cavalry from Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, two regiments of + infantry from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, one regiment of field artillery + from Fort Sheridan, Illinois, one regiment of horse artillery from Fort + Riley, Kansas, one regiment of infantry and one regiment of mountain guns + from Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. + </p> + <p> + I may add that at this time the United States army, in spite of many + efforts to increase its size, numbered fewer than 70,000 men; and so many + of these were tied up as Coast Artillery or absent in the Philippines, + Honolulu, and the Canal Zone, that only about 30,000 were available as + mobile forces for the national defence. + </p> + <p> + As these various bodies of troops arrived in New York City and marched + down Fifth Avenue with bands playing “Dixie” and colours flying, the + excitement of cheering multitudes passed all description, especially when + Theodore Roosevelt, in familiar slouch hat, appeared on a big black horse + at the head of a hastily recruited regiment of Rough Riders, many of them + veterans who had served under him in the Spanish War. + </p> + <p> + Governor Malone reviewed the troops from the steps of the new Court House + and the crowd went wild when the cadets from West Point marched past, in + splendid order. At first I shared the enthusiasm of the moment; but + suddenly I realised how pathetic it all was and Palmer seemed to see that + side of it, too, though naturally he and I avoided all discussion of the + future. In addition to such portions of the regular army as General Wood + could gather together, his forces were supplemented by infantry and + cavalry brigades of militia from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, + Connecticut, and Massachusetts, these troops being more or less unprepared + for battle, more or less lacking in the accessories of battles, notably in + field artillery and in artillery equipment of men and horses. One of the + aides on General Wood’s staff told me that the combined American forces + went into action with only one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery + against four hundred pieces that the Germans brought. + </p> + <p> + “And the wicked part of it is,” he added, “that there were two hundred + other pieces of artillery we might have used if we had had men and horses + to operate them; but—you can’t make an artillery horse overnight.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor a gun crew,” said I. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — INVASION OF LONG ISLAND AND THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN + </h2> + <p> + To meet this desperate situation and the enemy’s greatly superior forces, + General Wood decided not to advance against the Germans, but to intrench + his army across the western end of Long Island, with his left flank + resting on Fort Totten, near Bayside, and his nine-mile front extending + through Creedmore, Rosedale, and Valley Stream, where his right flank + would be guarded from sea attack by the big guns of Fort Hancock on Sandy + Hook, which would hold the German fleet at a distance. + </p> + <p> + Any military strategist will agree that this was the only course for the + American commander to pursue under the circumstances; but unfortunately + popular clamour will often have its way in republics, and in this case a + violent three days’ gale—which arrived providentially, according to + some of the newspapers—gave an appearance of reason to the general + demand. + </p> + <p> + This gale interfered seriously with the German landing operations,—in + fact, it wrecked one of their supply-ships,—and, in consequence, + such strong political pressure was brought to bear upon the President that + orders came from Washington to General Wood that he advance his army + against the invaders and drive them into the sea. The General made a few + remarks not for publication, and obeyed. As he told me afterward, it is + doubtful whether the result would have been different in any event. + </p> + <p> + In throwing forward his forces, General Wood used the three lines of + railroad that cross Long Island from west to east; and on May 17 his + battleline reached from Patchogue through Holtsville to Port Jefferson. + Meantime, the Germans had advanced to a line that extended from East + Moriches to Manorville; and on May 18 the first clash came at daybreak in + a fierce cavalry engagement fought at Yaphank, in which the enemy were + driven back in confusion. It was first blood for the Americans. + </p> + <p> + This initial success, however, was soon changed to disaster. On May 19 the + invaders advanced again, with strengthened lines, under the support of the + big guns of their fleet, which stood offshore and, guided by aeroplane + observers, rained explosive shells upon General Wood’s right flank with + such accuracy that the Americans were forced to withdraw. Whereupon the + Germans, using the famous hook formation that served them so well in their + drive across northern France in the summer of 1914, pressed forward + relentlessly, the fleet supporting them in a deadly flanking attack upon + the American right wing. + </p> + <p> + On May 20 von Hindenburg established his headquarters at Forest Hills, + where, less than a year before, his gallant countryman, the great + Fraitzheim, had made an unsuccessful effort to wrest the Davis cup from + the American champion and ex-champion, Murray and McLoughlin. + </p> + <p> + But that was a year ago! + </p> + <p> + In the morning General Wood’s forces continued to retreat, fighting with + dogged courage in a costly rear-guard action, and destroying railroads and + bridges as they went. The carnage wrought by the German six- and + eleven-inch explosive shells with delayed-action fuses was frightful + beyond anything I have ever known. Ten feet into the ground these + projectiles would bury themselves before exploding, and then—well, + no army could stand against them. + </p> + <p> + On May 22 General Wood was driven back to his original line of defences + from Fort Totten to Valley Stream, where he now prepared to make a last + stand to save Brooklyn, which stretched behind him with its peaceful + spires and its miles of comfortable homes. Here the Americans were safe + from the hideous pounding of the German fleet, and, although their losses + in five days amounted to more than six thousand men, these had been + replaced by reinforcements of militia from the West and South. There was + still hope, especially as the Germans, once they advanced beyond Westbury + and its famous polo fields, would come within range of the heavy mortars + of Fort Totten and Fort Hamilton, which carried thirteen miles. + </p> + <p> + That night the German commander, General von Hindenburg, under a flag of + truce, called upon the Americans to surrender in order to save the Borough + of Brooklyn from destruction. + </p> + <p> + General Wood refused this demand; and on May 23, at dawn, under cover of + his heavy siege-guns, von Hindenburg threw forward his veterans in + terrific massed attack, striking simultaneously at three points with three + army divisions—one in a drive to the right toward Fort Totten, one + in a drive to the left toward Fort Hamilton, and one in a drive straight + ahead against General Wood’s centre and the heart of Brooklyn. + </p> + <p> + All day the battle lasted—the battle of Brooklyn—with + house-to-house fighting and repeated bayonet charges. And at night the + invaders, outnumbering the American troops five to one, were everywhere + victorious. The defender’s line broke first at Valley Stream, where the + Germans, led by the famous Black Hussars, flung themselves furiously with + cold steel upon the militiamen and put them to flight. By sundown the + Uhlans were galloping, unopposed, along the broad sweep of the Eastern + Parkway and parallel streets towards Prospect Park, where the high land + offered an admirable site for the German artillery, since it commanded + Fort Hamilton from the rear and the entire spread of Brooklyn and + Manhattan. + </p> + <p> + It was now that Field Marshal von Hindenburg and his staff, speeding along + the Parkway in dark grey military automobiles, witnessed a famous act of + youthful heroism. As they swung across the Plaza to turn into Flatbush + Avenue von Hindenburg ordered his chauffeur to slow up so that he might + view the Memorial Arch and the MacMonnies statues of our Civil War heroes, + and at this moment a sharp burst of rifle fire sounded across Prospect + Park. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” asked the commander, then he ordered a staff officer to + investigate. + </p> + <p> + It appears that on this fateful morning five thousand American High School + lads, from fifteen to eighteen years of age, members of the Athletic + League of New York Public Schools, who had been trained in these schools + to shoot accurately, had answered the call for volunteers and rallied to + the defence of their city. By trolley, subway and ferry they came from all + parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem, Staten Island and the Bronx, eager + to show what their months of work with subtarget gun machines, practice + rods and gallery shooting, also their annual match on the Peekskill Rifle + Range, would now avail against the enemy. But when they assembled on the + Prospect Parade Ground, ready to do or die, they found that the entire + supply of rifles for their use was one hundred and twenty-five! + Seventy-five Krags, thirty Springfields and one hundred and twenty + Winchesters, 22-calibre muskets—toys fit for shooting squirrels, and + only a small supply of cartridges. The rifles available were issued to + such of the boys as had won their badges of sharpshooter and marksman, two + boys being assigned to each gun, so that if one was shot the other could + go on fighting. + </p> + <p> + “It was pitiful,” said General George W. Wingate, President of the League, + who was directing their movements, “to see the grief of those brave boys + as they heard the German guns approaching and realised that they had + nothing to fight with. Five thousand trained riflemen and no rifles!” + </p> + <p> + Nearer and nearer came the flanking force of the invading host and + presently it reached the outskirts of this beautiful park, which with hill + and lake and greensward covers five hundred acres in the heart of + Brooklyn. A few boys were deployed as skirmishers along the eastern edge + of the Park, but the mass occupied hastily dug trenches near the monument + to the Maryland troops on Lookout Hill and the brass tablet that + commemorate the battle of Long Island. At these historic points for half + an hour they made a stand against a Bavarian regiment that advanced slowly + under cover of artillery fire, not realising that they were sweeping to + death a crowd of almost unarmed schoolboys. + </p> + <p> + Even so the Americans did deadly execution until their ammunition was + practically exhausted. Then, seeing the situation hopeless, the head + coaches, Emanuel Haug, John A. C. Collins, Donald D. Smith and Paul B. + Mann, called for volunteers to hold the monument with the few remaining + cartridges, while the rest of the boys retreated. Hundreds clamoured for + this desperate honour, and finally the coaches selected seventy of those + who had qualified as sharpshooters to remain and face almost certain + death, among these being: Jack Condon of the Morris High School, J. Vernet + (Manual Training), Lynn Briggs (Erasmus), Isaac Smith (Curtis), Charles + Mason (Commercial), C. Anthony (Bryant), J. Rosenfeld (Stuyvesant), V. + Doran (Flushing), M. Marnash (Eastern District), F. Scanlon (Bushwick), + Winthrop F. Foskett (De Witt Clinton), and Richard Humphries (Jamaica). + </p> + <p> + Such was the situation when Field Marshal von Hindenburg dashed up in his + motor car. Seventy young American patriots on top of Lookout Hill, with + their last rounds of toy ammunition, were holding back a German regiment + while their comrades fled for their lives. And surely they would have been + a martyred seventy, since the Bavarians were about to charge in full + force, had not von Hindenburg taken in the situation at a glance and + shouted: + </p> + <p> + “Halt! It is not fitting that a German regiment shall use its strength + against a handful of boys. Let them guard their monument! March on!” + </p> + <p> + Meantime, to the east and north of the city the battle raged and terror + spread among the populace. All eyes were fixed on New York as a haven of + refuge and, by the bridge, ferry and tunnel, hundreds of thousands made + their escape from Brooklyn. + </p> + <p> + The three great bridges stretching their giant black arms across the river + were literally packed with people—fathers, mothers, children, all on + foot, for the trolleys were hopelessly blocked. A man told me afterwards + that it took him seven hours to cross with his wife and their two little + girls. + </p> + <p> + Other swarms hovered about the tunnel entrances and stormed the + ferry-boats at their slips. Every raft in the harbour carried its load. + The Pennsylvania and Erie ferries from the other side of Manhattan, the + Staten Island boats, the Coney Island and other excursion steamers, + struggled through the press of sea traffic and I heard that three of these + vessels sank of their own weight. Here and there, hardly discernible among + the larger craft, were the small boats, life-boats, canoes, anything and + everything that would float, each bearing its little group to a precarious + safety on Manhattan Island. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Fort Totten and Fort Hamilton had been taken from the rear by + overwhelming forces, and their mortars had been used to silence the guns + of Fort Schuyler and Fort Wadsworth. In this emergency, seeing the + situation hopeless, General Wood withdrew his forces in good order under + cover of a rear-guard action between the Uhlans and the United States + colored cavalry, and, hurrying before him the crowds of fleeing civilians, + marched his troops in three divisions across the Brooklyn Bridge, leaving + Brooklyn in flames behind him. Then facing inexorable necessity, he + ordered his engineers to blow up these three beautiful spans that had cost + hundreds of millions, and to flood the subways between Brooklyn and + Manhattan. + </p> + <p> + Seen through the darkness at the moment of its ruin the vast steel + structure of the Brooklyn Bridge, with its dim arches and filaments, was + like a thing of exquisite lace. In shreds it fell, a tangled, twisted, + tragically wrecked piece of magnificence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — GENERAL VON HINDENBURG TEACHES NEW YORK CITY A LESSON + </h2> + <p> + On May 24, 1921, the situation of New York City was seen to be desperate, + and most of the newspapers, even those that had clamoured loudest for + resistance and boasted of American valour and resourcefulness, now + admitted that the metropolis must submit to a German occupation. + </p> + <p> + Even the women among the public officials and political leaders were + inclined to a policy of nonresistance. General Wood was urged to surrender + the city and avoid the horrors of bombardment; but the commander replied + that his first duty was to defend the territory of the United States, and + that every day he could keep the enemy isolated on Long Island was a day + gained for the permanent defences that were frantically organising all + over the country. + </p> + <p> + It was vital, too, that the immense stores of gold and specie in the + vaults of the Federal Reserve and other great New York banks should be + safely transported to Chicago. + </p> + <p> + All day and all night, automobile trucks, operated under orders from + William G. McAdoo, Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank, loaded with + millions and millions of gold, passed unprotected and almost unheeded + through the crowded section between Wall Street and the Grand Central + Station. The people stared at them dumbly. They knew what was going on. + They knew they could have a fortune by reaching out their hands. But at + this moment, with their eternities in their eyes, they had no thought of + gold. Hour after hour the work went on. Finally, subway trains and street + cars were pressed into service as treasure-carriers. + </p> + <p> + By night $800,000,000 had started West and the next morning Chicago was + the financial capital of America. + </p> + <p> + At midnight General Wood gave final orders for resistance to the last gun + and the last man; and, when early the next morning the German general + again sent officers with a flag of truce demanding the surrender of + Manhattan Island, Wood’s reply was a firm refusal. He tried, however, to + gain time in negotiations; and a few hours later I accompanied a + delegation of American staff officers with counter-proposals across the + East River in a launch. I can see von Hindenburg now, in his high boots + and military coat, as he received the American officers at the foot of the + shattered Brooklyn Bridge. A square massive head with close-cropped white + hair, brushed straight back from a broad forehead. And sad searching eyes—wonderful + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Then you refuse to surrender? You think you can fight?” the Field Marshal + demanded. + </p> + <p> + At which the ranking American officer, stung by his arrogance, declared + that they certainly did think they could fight, and would prove it. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! So!” said von Hindenburg, and he glanced at a gun crew who were + loading a half-ton projectile into an 11.1-inch siege-gun that stood on + the pavement. “Which is the Woolworth Building?” he asked, pointing across + the river. + </p> + <p> + “The tallest one, Excellency—the one with the Gothic lines and + gilded cornices,” replied one of his officers. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes, of course. I recognise it from the pictures. It’s beautiful. + Gentlemen,”—he addressed the American officers,—“I am offering + twenty-dollar gold pieces to this gun crew if they bring down that tower + with a single shot. Now, then, careful!... + </p> + <p> + “Ready!” + </p> + <p> + We covered our ears as the shot crashed forth, and a moment later the most + costly and graceful tower in the world seemed to stagger on its base. + Then, as the thousand-pound shell, striking at the twenty-seventh story, + exploded deep inside, clouds of yellow smoke poured out through the + crumbling walls, and the huge length of twenty-four stories above the + jagged wound swayed slowly toward the east, and fell as one piece, + flinging its thousands of tons of stone and steel straight across the + width of Broadway, and down upon the grimy old Post Office Building + opposite. + </p> + <p> + <i>“Sehr gut!”</i> nodded von Hindenburg. “It’s amusing to see them fall. + Suppose we try another? What’s that one to the left?” + </p> + <p> + “The Singer Building, Excellency,” answered the officer. + </p> + <p> + “Good! Are you ready?” + </p> + <p> + Then the tragedy was repeated, and six hundred more were added to the + death toll, as the great tower crumbled to earth. + </p> + <p> + “Now, gentlemen,”—von Hindenburg turned again to the American + officers with a tiger gleam in his eyes,—“you see what we have done + with two shots to two of your tallest and finest buildings. At this time + to-morrow, with God’s help, we shall have a dozen guns along this bank of + the river, ready for whatever may be necessary. And two of our <i>Parsevals</i>, + each carrying a ton of dynamite, will float over New York City. I give you + until twelve o’clock to-morrow to decide whether you will resist or + capitulate. At twelve o’clock we begin firing.” + </p> + <p> + Our instructions were to return at once in the launch by the shortest + route to the Battery, where automobiles were waiting to take us to General + Wood’s headquarters in the Metropolitan Tower. I can close my eyes to-day + and see once more those pictures of terror and despair that were spread + before us as we whirled through the crowded streets behind the crashing + hoofs of a cavalry escort. The people knew who we were, where we had been, + and they feared what our message might be. + </p> + <p> + Broadway, of course, was impassable where the mass of red brick from the + Singer Building filled the great canyon as if a glacier had spread over + the region, or as if the lava from a man-made Aetna had choked this great + thoroughfare. + </p> + <p> + Through the side streets we snatched hasty impressions of unforgetable + scenes. Into the densely populated regions around Grand and Houston + Streets the evicted people of Brooklyn had poured. And into the homes of + these miserably poor people, where you can walk for blocks without hearing + a word in the English tongue, Brooklyn’s derelicts had been absorbed by + tens of thousands. + </p> + <p> + Here came men and women from all parts of Manhattan, the rich in their + automobiles, the poor on foot, bearing bundles of food and eager to help + in the work of humanity. And some, alas, were busy with the sinister + business of looting. + </p> + <p> + Above Fourteenth Street we had glimpses of similar scenes and I learned + later that almost every family in Manhattan received some Brooklyn + homeless ones into their care. New York—for once—was + hospitable. + </p> + <p> + In Madison Square the people waited in silence as we approached the great + white tower from which the Commander of the Army of the East, unmindful of + the fate of the Woolworth and the Singer buildings, watched for further + moves from the fortified shores of Brooklyn. Not a shout greeted our + arrival at the marble entrance facing the square, not even that murmur of + expectancy which sweeps over a tense gathering. The people knew the answer + of von Hindenburg. They had read it, as had all the world for miles + around, in the cataclysm of the plunging towers. + </p> + <p> + New York must surrender or perish! + </p> + <p> + Scarcely three blocks away, the Committee of Public Safety, numbering one + hundred, sat in agitated council at the Madison Square Garden, while + enormous crowds, shouting and murmuring, surged outside, where five + hundred armed policemen tried vainly to quell the spirit of riot that was + in the air. Far into the night the discussion lasted, while overhead in + the purple-black sky floated the two <i>Parsevals</i>, ominous visitors, + their search-lights playing over the helpless city that was to feel their + wrath on the morrow unless it yielded. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, on the square platform within the great Moorish building, a + hundred leading citizens of Manhattan, including the ablest and the + richest and a few of the most radical, spoke their minds, while thousands + of men and women, packed in the galleries and the aisles, listened + heart-sick for some gleam of comfort. + </p> + <p> + And there was none. + </p> + <p> + Among the Committee of Public Safety I recognised J. P. Morgan, Jacob H. + Sehiff, John D. Rockefeller, Charles F. Murphy, Andrew Carnegie, Vincent + Astor, Cardinal Farley, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, Nicholas Murray Butler, S. + Stanwood Menken, Paul M. Warburg, John Finley, Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, + James E. Gaffney, Ida Tarbell, Norman Hapgood, William Randolph Hearst, + Senator Whitman, Bernard Ridder, Frank A. Munsey, Henry Morgenthau, Elihu + Root, Henry L. Stimson, Franklin Q. Brown, John Mitchell, John Wanamaker, + Dr. Parkhurst, Thomas A. Edison, Colonel George Harvey, Douglas Robinson, + John Hays Hammond, Theodore Shonts, William Dean Howells, Alan R. Hawley, + Samuel Gompers, August Belmont, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, the Rev. Percy + Stickney Grant, Judge E. H. Gary, Emerson McMillin, Cornelius Vanderbilt, + and ex-Mayor Mitchel. + </p> + <p> + Former President Wilson motored over from Princeton, accompanied by + Professor McClellan, and was greeted with cheers. Ex-President Taft was + speaking at the time, advocating a dignified appeal to the Hague Tribunal + for an adjudication of the matter according to international law. Nearly + all of the speakers favoured non-resistance, so far as New York City was + concerned. With scarcely a dissenting voice, the great financial and + business interests represented here demanded that New York City capitulate + immediately. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Theodore Roosevelt, who had just entered the Garden with his + uniform still smeared with Long Island mud, sprang to his feet and cried + out that he would rather see Manhattan Island sunk in the Bay than + disgraced by so cowardly a surrender. There was still hope, he declared. + The East River was impassable for the enemy. All shipping had been + withdrawn from Brooklyn shores, and the German fleet dared not enter the + Ambrose Channel and the lower bay so long as the Sandy Hook guns held out. + </p> + <p> + “We are a great nation,” Roosevelt shouted, “full of courage and + resourcefulness. Let us stand together against these invaders, as our + forefathers stood at Lexington and Bunker Hill!” + </p> + <p> + During the cheers that followed this harangue, my attention was drawn to + an agitated group on the platform, the central figure being Bernard + Ridder, recognised leader of the large German-American population of New + York City that had remained staunchly loyal in the crisis. Presently a + clamour from the crowd outside, sharper and fiercer than any that had + preceded it, announced some new and unexpected danger close at hand. + </p> + <p> + White-faced, Mr. Ridder stepped to the edge of the platform and lifted his + hand impressively. + </p> + <p> + “Let me speak,” he said. “I must speak in justice to myself and to half a + million German-Americans of this city, who are placed in a terrible + position by news that I have just received. I wish to say that we are + Americans first, not Germans! We are loyal to the city, loyal to this + country, and whatever happens here tonight—” + </p> + <p> + At this moment a tumult of shouts was heard at the Madison Avenue + entrance, and above it a shrill purring sound that seemed to strike + consternation into an army officer who sat beside me. + </p> + <p> + “My God!” he cried. “The machine-guns! The Germans are in the streets!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — VARIOUS UNPLEASANT HAPPENINGS IN MANHATTAN + </h2> + <h3> + I shall never forget the horror of that hoarse cry: + </h3> + <p> + “The Germans are in the streets!” + </p> + <p> + What followed was still more terrifying. Somewhere at the back of the + Garden, a piercing whistle cut the air—evidently a signal—and + suddenly we found ourselves facing a ghastly tragedy, and were made to + realise the resistless superiority of a small body of disciplined troops + over a disorganised multitude. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fertig! Los! Hup!</i>” shouted a loud voice (it was a man with a + megaphone) in the first gallery opposite the platform. Every face in that + tremendous throng turned at once in the direction of the stranger’s voice. + And before the immense audience knew what was happening, five hundred + German soldiers, armed with pistols and repeating rifles, had sprung to + life, alert and formidable, at vantage-points all over the Garden. Two + hundred, with weapons ready, guarded the platform and the Committee of + Public Safety. And, in little groups of threes and fives, back to back, + around the iron columns that rose through the galleries, stood three + hundred more with flashing barrels levelled at the crowds. + </p> + <p> + I counted fifteen of these dominating groups of soldiers in the northern + half of the lower gallery, and it was the same in the southern half and + the same on both sides of the upper gallery, which made sixty armed groups + in sixty strategic positions. There was nothing for the crowd to do but + yield. + </p> + <p> + “Pass out, everybody!” screamed the megaphone man. “We fire at the first + disorder.” + </p> + <p> + “Out, everybody!” roared the soldiers. “We fire at the first disorder.” + </p> + <p> + As if to emphasise this, an automatic pistol crackled at the far end of + the Garden, and frantic crowds pushed for the doors in abject terror. + There was no thought of resistance. + </p> + <p> + “Use all the exits,” yelled the megaphone man; and the order was passed on + by the soldiers from group to group. And presently there rolled out into + the streets and avenues through the thirty great doors and down the six + outside stairways that zigzag across the building such streams of + white-faced, staggering, fainting humanity as never had been seen on + Manhattan Island. + </p> + <p> + I was driven out with the others (except the Committee of Public Safety), + and was happy to find myself with a whole skin in Twenty-sixth Street + opposite the Manhattan Club. As I passed a group of German soldiers near + the door, I observed that they wore grey uniforms. I wondered at this + until I saw overcoats at their feet, and realised that they had entered + the Garden like spies with the audience of citizens, their uniforms and + weapons being concealed under ordinary outer garments, which they had + thrown off at the word of command. + </p> + <p> + We stumbled into the street, and were driven roughly by other German + soldiers toward the open space of Madison Square. We fled over red and + slippery pavements, strewn with the bodies of dead and wounded policemen + and civilians—the hideous harvest of the machine-guns. At the corner + of Madison Avenue and Twenty-fifth Street I saw an immense coal-carrying + motor-truck with plates of iron covering its four sides, and through + loopholes in the plates I saw murderous muzzles protruding. + </p> + <p> + It appears that shortly after midnight, at the height of the debate, four + of these armoured cars came lumbering toward the Garden from west and + east, north and south; and, as they neared the four corners of the immense + yellow building, without warning they opened fire upon the police, which + meant inevitably upon the crowd also. In each truck were a dozen soldiers + and six machine-guns, each one capable of firing six hundred shots a + minute. There was no chance for resistance, and within a quarter of an + hour the streets surrounding the Garden were a shambles. On Madison + Avenue, just in front of the main entrance, I saw bodies lying three deep, + many of them hideously mutilated by the explosive effects of these bullets + at short range. As I stepped across the curb in front of the S.P.C.A. + building, I cried out in horror; for there on the sidewalk lay a young + mother—But why describe the horror of that scene? + </p> + <p> + With difficulty I succeeded in hiring a taxicab and set out to find + General Wood or some officer of his staff from whom I might get an + understanding of these tragic events. Who were those German soldiers at + the Garden? Where did they come from? Were they German-Americans? + </p> + <p> + It was four o’clock in the morning before I located General Wood at the + plaza of the Queensborough Bridge, where he was overseeing the placing of + some artillery pieces. He was too busy to talk to me, but from one of his + aides I learned that the soldiers at the Madison Square Garden were not + German-Americans and were not von Hindenburg’s men, but were part of that + invisible army of German spies that invariably precedes the invading + forces of the Kaiser. Arriving a few hundred at a time for a period of + more than three years, 50,000 of these German spies, fully armed and + equipped, now held New York at their mercy. More than that, they had in + their actual physical possession the men who owned half the wealth of the + nation. That New York would capitulate was a foregone conclusion. + </p> + <p> + After cabling this news, I went back to my hotel, the old Brevoort, for a + snatch of sleep; and at half-past eight I was out in the streets again. + The first thing that caught my eye was a black-lettered proclamation—posted + by German spies, no doubt—over Henri’s barber shop, and signed by + General von Hindenburg, announcing the capitulation of New York City. The + inhabitants were informed that they had nothing to fear. Their lives and + property would be protected, and they would find the Germans just and + generous in all their dealings. Food and supplies would be paid for at the + market price, and citizens would be recompensed for all services rendered. + The activities of New York would go on as usual, and there would be no + immediate occupation of Manhattan Island by German troops. All orders from + the conquering army in Brooklyn must be implicitly obeyed, under penalty + of bombardment. + </p> + <p> + I could scarcely believe my eyes. New York City had capitulated! I asked a + man beside me—an agitated citizen in an orange tie—whether + this could be true. He said it was—all the morning papers confirmed + it. The immense pressure from Wall Street upon Washington, owing to the + hold-up of multimillionaires, had resulted in orders from the President + that the city surrender and that General Wood’s forces withdraw to New + Jersey. + </p> + <p> + “What about John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie and J. P. Morgan and + the other hostages?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “The <i>Sun</i> says they have been taken over to Brooklyn where the + German army is, and they’ve got to raise a billion dollars in gold.” + </p> + <p> + “A billion dollars in gold!” + </p> + <p> + “Sure; as an indemnity for New York City. You’ll notice we could have + bought a few defences for that billion,” sniffed the angry citizen. + </p> + <p> + Things moved rapidly after this. All the shipping in waters about the + island metropolis, including ferry-boats, launches, pilot-boats, + everything that floated, was delivered over to the Germans. The Sandy Hook + defences were delivered over, and the rivers and bays were cleared of + mines. All motor-cars, supplies of gasolene, firearms, and ammunition in + New York City were seized and removed to Brooklyn. The telephone service + was taken over by the Germans and operated by them, chiefly for military + purposes. The mail service ceased. The newspapers were ordered not to + appear—with the exception of the <i>Staats-Zeitung</i>, which became + the official organ of the invaders and proceeded to publish editions in + English as well as German. + </p> + <p> + “What will happen if we go ahead and get out the paper in spite of your + order?” inquired the city editor of the <i>Evening Journal</i> when a + youthful Prussian officer informed him that the paper must not appear. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you will be shot and William Randolph Hearst will be shot,” said the + officer pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + About noon on the day of capitulation, May 25, 1921, a company of German + soldiers with two machine guns, two ammunition carts and a line of motor + trucks landed at the Battery and marched quietly up Broadway, then turned + into Wall Street and stopped outside the banking house of J. P. Morgan + & Co. A captain of hussars in brilliant uniform and wearing an + eyeglass went inside with eight of his men and explained politely to the + manager that the Germans had arranged with J. P. Morgan personally that + they were to receive five million dollars a day in gold on account of the + indemnity and, as four days’ payment, that is twenty million dollars, were + now due, the captain would be obliged if the manager would let him have + twenty million dollars in gold immediately. Also a match for his + cigarette. + </p> + <p> + The manager, greatly disturbed, assured the captain that there was not as + much money as that in the bank, all the gold in New York having been sent + out of the city. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the officer with a smile. “That will simply put you to the + trouble of having it sent back again. You see, we hold the men who own + this gold. Besides, I think you can, with an effort, get together this + trifling amount.” + </p> + <p> + The manager vowed it was utterly impossible, whereupon the captain + motioned to one of his men, who, it turned out, had been for years a + trusted employee of J. P. Morgan & Co. and had made himself familiar + with every detail of Wall Street affairs. He knew where a reserve store of + gold was hidden and the consequence was that half an hour later the German + soldiers marched back to the Battery, their motor trucks groaning under + the weight of twenty million dollars in double eagles and bullion. + </p> + <p> + “You see, we need some small change to buy eggs and chickens and + vegetables with,” laughed the officer. “We are very particular to pay for + everything we take.” + </p> + <p> + An hour later the first show of resistance to German authority came when a + delegation of staff officers from General von Hindenburg visited the city + hall to instruct Mayor McAneny as to the efficient running of the various + municipal departments. I had the details of this conference from the + mayor’s private secretary. The officers announced that there would be no + interference with the ordinary life of the city so long as the results + were satisfactory. Business must go on as usual. Theatres and places of + amusement were to remain open. The city must be gay, just as Berlin was + gay in 1915. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand any disorder or failure to provide for German needs in + the matter of food and supplies would be severely dealt with. Every + morning there must be delivered at the foot of Fulton Street, Brooklyn, + definite quantities of meat, poultry, eggs, butter, vegetables, flour, + milk, sugar, fruits, beer, coffee, tea, besides a long and detailed list + of army supplies. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we cannot get these things?” protested the mayor. “Suppose the + train service to New York is cut off by General Wood’s army?” + </p> + <p> + “Hah!” snorted a red-faced colonel of artillery. “There are two and a half + million Americans on Manhattan Island—and we’ll see that they stay + there—who will starve within one week if General Wood cuts off the + train service. I don’t think he will cut it off, Mr. McAneny.” + </p> + <p> + “Besides, my dear sir,” drawled a slender English-looking officer, wearing + the iron cross, “if there should be any interference with our food supply, + remember that we can destroy your gas and electric lighting plants, we can + cripple your transportation system and possibly cut off your water supply + with a few well directed shots. Don’t forget that, Mr. McAneny.” + </p> + <p> + The trouble began as these German officers walked down Broadway with a + small escort of soldiers. Whenever they passed a policeman they required + him to salute, in accordance with published orders, but a big Irishman was + defiant and the officers stopped to teach him manners. At which a crowd + gathered that blocked Broadway and the officers were insulted and jostled + and one of them lost his helmet. There was no serious disorder, but the + Germans made it a matter of principle and an hour later the <i>Staats + Zeitung</i> came out with a special edition announcing that, inasmuch as + disrespect had been shown to five German officers by a Broadway crowd, it + now became necessary to give the city an object lesson that would, it was + hoped, prevent such a regrettable occurrence in the future. That evening + five six-inch shells would be fired by German siege guns in Brooklyn at + five indicated open spaces in Manhattan, these being chosen to avoid + losses of life and property. The first shell would be fired at seven + o’clock and would strike in Battery Park; the second at 7.05 and would + strike in Union Square; the third at 7.10 and would strike in Madison + Square; the fourth at 7.15 and would strike in Stuyvesant Square; the + fifth at 7.20 and would strike in Central Park just north of the Plaza. + </p> + <p> + This announcement was carried out to the letter, the five shells exploding + at the exact points and moments indicated, and the people realised with + what horrible precision the German artillery-men held Manhattan island at + their mercy. + </p> + <p> + The newspapers also received their object lesson through the action of the + <i>Evening Telegram</i> in bringing out an extra announcing the + bombardment. My own desk being in the foreign editor’s room, I witnessed + this grim occurrence. At half-past five a boyish-looking lieutenant + sauntered in and asked for the managing editor, who was sitting with his + feet on a desk. + </p> + <p> + “Good-evening,” said the German. “You have disobeyed orders in getting out + this edition. I am sorry.” + </p> + <p> + The editor stared at him, not understanding. “Well, what’s the answer?” + </p> + <p> + The officer’s eyes were sympathetic and his tone friendly. He glanced at + his wrist watch. “The answer is that I give you twenty minutes to + telephone your family, then I’m going to take you up on the roof and have + you shot. I am sorry.” + </p> + <p> + Twenty minutes later they stood up this incredulous editor behind the + illuminated owls that blinked down solemnly upon the turmoil of Herald + Square and shot him to death as arranged. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — NEW HAVEN IS PUNISHED FOR RIOTING AND INSUBORDINATION + </h2> + <p> + Meantime the United States from coast to coast was seething with rage and + humiliation. This incredible, impossible thing had happened. New York City + was held by the enemy, and its greatest citizens, whose names were + supposed to shake the world—Rockefeller, Morgan, Carnegie, + Vanderbilt,—were helpless prisoners. General Wood’s defeated army + had been driven back into New Jersey, and was waiting there for von + Hindenburg’s next move, praying for more artillery, more ammunition, more + officers, and more soldiers. Let this nation be threatened, Secretary of + State Bryan had said, and between sunrise and sunset a million men would + spring to arms. Well, this was the time for them to spring; but where were + the arms? Nowhere! It would take a year to manufacture what was needed! A + year to make officers! A year to make soldiers! And the enemy was here + with mailed fist thundering at the gates! + </p> + <p> + The question now heard in all the clubs and newspaper offices, and in + diplomatic circles at Washington, was, which way would von Hindenburg + strike when he left New York? Would it be toward Boston or toward + Philadelphia? And why did he delay his blow, now that the metropolis, + after a week’s painful instruction, was resigning itself to a Germanised + existence, with German officials collecting the New York custom house + revenues and a German flag flying from the statue of Liberty? What was von + Hindenburg waiting for? + </p> + <p> + On the 3d of June these questions were dramatically answered by the + arrival of another invading expedition, which brought a second force of + one hundred and fifty thousand German soldiers. What cheering there was + from Brooklyn shores as these transports and convoys, black with men, + steamed slowly into the ravished upper bay, their bands crashing out + “Deutschland Ãœber Alles” and their proud eagles floating from all the + mast-heads! + </p> + <p> + “This makes three hundred thousand first-class fighting-men,” scowled + Frederick Palmer as we watched the pageant. “What is Leonard Wood going to + do about it?” + </p> + <p> + “I know what von Hindenburg is going to do,” said I, taking the role of + prophet. “Divide his forces and start two drives—one through New + England to Boston, and one to Washington.” + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, this is exactly what the German general did do—and + he lost no time about it. On June 5, von Hindenburg, with an army of + 125,000, began his march toward Trenton, and General von Kluck, who had + arrived with the second expedition, started for Boston with an equal + force. This left 50,000 German troops in Brooklyn to control New York City + and to form a permanent military base on Long Island. + </p> + <p> + General Wood’s position was terribly difficult. His army, encamped half + way between Trenton and Westfield, had been increased to 75,000 men; but + 50,000 of these from the militia were sadly lacking in arms and + organisation, and 5,000 were raw recruits whose first army work had been + done within the month. He had 20,000 regulars, not half of whom had ever + seen active warfare. And against these von Hindenburg was advancing with + 125,000 veterans who had campaigned together in France and who were + equipped with the best fighting outfit in the world! + </p> + <p> + It would have been madness for the American commander to divide his + outclassed forces; and yet, if he did not divide them, von Kluck’s army + would sweep over New England without resistance. In this cruel dilemma, + General Wood decided—with the approval of the President—to + make a stand against von Hindenburg and save Philadelphia, Baltimore and + Washington, if he could, and to leave New England to its fate. + </p> + <p> + At this critical moment I was instructed by my paper to accompany a + raiding expedition sent by General von Hindenburg into northern New + Jersey, with the object of capturing the Picatinny arsenal near Dover; and + this occupied me for several days, during which General von Kluck’s army, + unresisted, had marched into Connecticut up to a line reaching from beyond + Bridgeport to Danbury to Washington, and had occupied New Rochelle, + Greenwich, Stamford, South Norwalk, and Bridgeport. The Germans advanced + about fifteen miles a day, living off the country, and carefully repairing + any injuries to the railways, so that men and supplies from their Long + Island base could quickly follow them. + </p> + <p> + On June 10, when I rejoined General von Kluck’s staff (to which I had been + assigned), I found that he was accompanied by the Crown Prince and the + venerable Count Zeppelin, both of whom seemed more interested in this New + England occupation than in the activities of von Hindenburg’s army. They + realised, it appears, the great importance of controlling the industrial + resources, the factories and machine-shops of Connecticut and + Massachusetts. It was this interest, I may add, that led to the first + bloodshed on Connecticut soil. + </p> + <p> + Thus far not a shot had been fired by the invaders, who had been received + everywhere by sullen but submissive crowds. Only a small part of the + population had fled to the north and east, and the activities of occupied + towns and cities went on very much as usual under German orders and German + organisation. The horrible fate of Brooklyn, the wreck of the Woolworth + and Singer buildings were known everywhere; and if New York City, the + great metropolis, had been forced to meek surrender by the invaders, what + hope was there for Stamford and Bridgeport and South Norwalk? + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: THEN, FACING INEXORABLE NECESSITY, GENERAL WOOD ORDERED HIS + ENGINEERS TO BLOW UP THE BRIDGES AND FLOOD THE SUBWAYS THAT LED TO + MANHATTAN. IT WAS AS IF THE VAST STEEL STRUCTURE OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE HAD + BEEN A THING OF LACE. IN SHREDS IT FELL, A TORN, TRAGICALLY WRECKED PIECE + OF MAGNIFICENCE.} + </p> + <p> + But in Hartford a different spirit was stirring. By their admirable spy + service, their motorcycle service, and their aeroplane service, the German + staff were informed of defiant Hartford crowds gathering in Bushnell Park; + of the Putnam Phalanx parading in continental uniforms, and of the + Governor’s First Company Foot Guards marching past the monument where the + Charter Oak had stood facing the South Congregational Church; and of + patriotic speeches from beside the statue of Nathan Hale on Main Street. + </p> + <p> + Also in New Haven, city of elms and of Yale College, the Second Company of + Governor’s Foot Guards and the valiant New Haven Grays, followed by + cheering crowds, had marched down Chapel and Meadow streets to the Second + Regiment Armory, home of joyous Junior promenades; and here vehement + orators had recalled how their ancestors, the minute-men of 1776, had + repelled the British there to the west of the city, where Columbus and + Congress and Davenport avenues meet at the Defenders’ Monument. Why should + not this bravery and devotion be repeated now in 1921 against the Germans? + Why not? + </p> + <p> + The answer was spoken clearly in a widely published appeal to the people + of New England, made by the Governor of Connecticut and supported by + Simeon E. Baldwin, ex-Governor of the State, and Arthur T. Hadley, + president of Yale, in which the utter folly and hopelessness of resistance + without army or militia was convincingly set forth. Professor Taft + declared it the duty of every loyal citizen to avoid nameless horrors of + bloodshed and destruction of property by refraining from any opposition to + an overwhelmingly superior force. + </p> + <p> + We entered New Haven on June 12, and for forty-eight hours there was no + disorder. German siege guns were placed on the sheer precipice of East + Rock, ranged alongside the grey shaft of the Soldiers’ Monument, + dominating the city; machine-guns were set up at the four corners of the + Green, at points surrounding the college buildings, and at other strategic + points. Students were not allowed to leave the college grounds without + military permission. + </p> + <p> + To further insure the good behaviour of the city, twenty hostages were + taken, including ex-President William H. Taft, President Arthur T. Hadley + of Yale University, Thomas G. Bennett, ex-president of the Winchester + Repeating Arms Company, Major Frank J. Rice, ex-Governor Simeon E. + Baldwin, Edward Malley, General E. E. Bradley, Walter Camp, and three + members of the graduating class of Yale University, including the captains + of the baseball and football teams. These were held as prisoners within + the grey granite walls and towers of Edgerton, the residence of Frederick + F. Brewster. As staff headquarters, General von Kluck and the Crown Prince + occupied the palatial white marble home of Louis Stoddard, the famous + polo-player. + </p> + <p> + The trouble began on June 14, when the invaders tried to set going the + manufacturing activities of New Haven, shut down during the past week—especially + he Winchester Repeating Arms Company, mploying about eleven thousand men, + and the Sargent Hardware Manufacturing Company, employing eight thousand. + Large numbers of these employees had fled from New Haven in spite of + offers of increased wages, so that the Germans had been obliged to bring + on men from New York to fill their places. This led to rioting and scenes + of violence, with a certain amount of looting, in various parts of the + city; and toward evening German troops fired upon the crowds, killing and + wounding about two hundred. + </p> + <p> + In punishment of this insubordination, General von Kluck ordered the guns + on East Rock to destroy the Hotel Taft and the new Post Office Building, + and this was done as the sun was setting. He also ordered that two of the + hostages, chosen by lot, should be led out before Vanderbilt Hall, at the + corner of College and Chapel streets, the next day at noon, and shot. + </p> + <p> + However, this grim fate was averted through the intercession of an + American woman, a white-haired lady whose husband, a Northern general, had + fought with Count Zeppelin in the American Civil War, and who at midnight + went to the Whitney mansion, where the Count and his staff were quartered, + and begged on her knees for mercy. And, for the sake of old times and old + friendship, Count Zeppelin had this penalty remitted. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — I HAVE A FRIENDLY TALK WITH THE GERMAN CROWN PRINCE + AND SECURE A SENSATIONAL INTERVIEW + </h2> + <p> + After the pacification of New Haven and the re-establishment of its + industries, our division of the German army, numbering about five thousand + men, swung to the north, through Wallingford, Meriden, and Middletown, and + marched toward the capital of the State. + </p> + <p> + I shall always remember the morning of June 17, 1921, when, at the request + of the Crown Prince, I rode at his side for an hour before we entered + Hartford. I was amazed at the extent of the Prince’s information and at + his keen desire for new knowledge. He asked about the number of men + employed in the Hartford rubber works, in Colt’s armory, in the Pratt + & Whitney machine-shops, and spoke of plans for increasing the + efficiency of these concerns. He knew all about the high educational + standards of the Hartford High School. He had heard of the Hotel Heublein, + and of the steel tower built by its proprietor on the highest point of + Talcott Mountain—had already arranged to have this tower used for + wireless communication between Hartford and the German fleet. He knew + exactly how many Germans, Italians, and Swedes there were in Hartford, + exactly how many spans there were in the new three-million-dollar bridge + across the Connecticut. He looked forward with pleasure to occupying as + his Hartford headquarters the former home on Farmington Avenue of Mark + Twain, whose works he had enjoyed for years. + </p> + <p> + “You know Mark Twain was a great friend of my father’s,” said the Crown + Prince. “I remember how my father laughed, one evening at the palace in + Berlin, when Mark Twain told us the story of ‘The Jumping Frog of + Calaveras County.’ It’s rather a pity that afterward Mark—but never + mind that.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Imperial Highness has a wonderful memory for details,” I remarked. + </p> + <p> + “That is nothing,” he smiled. “It’s our business to know these things; + that is why we are here. We must know more about New England than the New + Englanders themselves. For example, ask me something.” + </p> + <p> + “Does your Imperial Highness—” I began. But he stopped me with a + jolly laugh. I can still see the eager, boyish face under its flashing + helmet, and the slim, erect figure in its blue-and-silver uniform. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind the Imperial Highness,” he said. “Just ask some questions—any + question about Hartford.” + </p> + <p> + “The insurance companies?” I suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Of course I know that. We considered the insurance companies in + fixing the indemnity. Hartford is the richest city in America in + proportion to her population. Let’s see. Of her life insurance companies, + the Aetna has assets of about a hundred and twenty million dollars; the + Travellers’ about a hundred million; the Connecticut Mutual about seventy + million; the Phoenix Mutual about forty million—besides half a dozen + small-fry fire insurance companies. We’re letting them off easily with + twenty million dollars indemnity. Don’t you think so, Mr. Langston?” + </p> + <p> + This informal talk continued for some time, and I found the Prince + possessed of equally accurate and detailed information regarding other New + England cities. It was positively uncanny. He inquired about the Bancroft + Japanese collection in Worcester, Massachusetts, and wanted to know the + number of women students at Wellesley College. He asked if I had seen the + portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds at the Athenaeum in Providence. He had + full details about the United States Armory at Springfield, and he asked + many questions about the Yale-Harvard boat races at New London, most of + which I was, fortunately, able to answer. + </p> + <p> + Frederick William was curious to know what had given Newport its great + popularity as a summer resort, and asked me to compare the famous cottages + of the Vanderbilts, the Belmonts, the Astors, along the cliffs, with + well-known country houses in England. He knew that Siasconset on Nantucket + Island was pronounced “Sconset,” and he had read reports on marine biology + from Woods Hole. He even knew the number of watches made at Waltham every + year, and the number of shoes made at Lynn. + </p> + <p> + I was emboldened by the Crown Prince’s good humour and friendly manner to + ask the favour of an interview for publication in the London <i>Times</i>, + and, to my great satisfaction, this was granted the next day when we were + settled in our Hartford quarters, with the result that I gained high + commendation; in fact my interview not only made a sensation in England, + but was cabled back to the United States and reprinted all over America. + Needless to say, it caused bitter resentment in both countries against + Frederick William. + </p> + <p> + “The responsibility for the present war between Germany and the United + States must be borne by England,” he said in this memorable utterance. “It + was the spirit of hatred against Germany spread through the world by + England and especially spread through America that made the United States + unwilling to deal with the Imperial government in a fair and friendly way, + touching our trade and colonising aspirations in South America and Mexico. + </p> + <p> + “We Germans regard this as a most astonishing and deplorable thing, that + the American people have been turned against us by British + misrepresentations. Why should the United States trust England? What has + England ever done for the United States? Who furnished the South with arms + and ammunition and with blockade runners during the Civil War? England! + Who placed outrageous restrictions upon American commerce during the great + European war and, in direct violation of International law, prohibited + America from sending foodstuffs and cotton to Germany? England! + </p> + <p> + “What harm has Germany ever done to the United States? Turn over the pages + of history. Remember brave General Steuben, a veteran of Frederick the + Great, drilling with Washington’s soldiers at Valley Forge. Remember the + German General De Kalb who fell pierced by red-coat balls and bayonets at + the battle of Camden. Remember General Herckheimer with his band of German + farmers who fought and died for American independence at the battle of + Oriskany. + </p> + <p> + “Then go to Greenwood cemetery and look at the graves of German soldiers, + rows and rows of them, who gave their lives loyally for the Union at + Antietam, at Bull Run and at Gettysburg. + </p> + <p> + “The United States is a great nation with vast resources,” he went on, + “but these have been largely wasted, owing to the inefficiency and + corruption inevitable in all democracies.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Imperial Highness does not think much of American efficiency?” + </p> + <p> + The prince threw back his head with a snort of contemptuous amusement. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! What can one expect from a government like yours? A government of + incompetents, politicians, office seekers.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” I protested. + </p> + <p> + “I do not mean to offend you,” he laughed, “but hasn’t the whole world + known for years that America was utterly defenceless? Haven’t you + Americans known it since 1914? Haven’t you read it in all your newspapers? + Hasn’t it been shouted at you from the housetops by all your leading men? + </p> + <p> + “And yet your senators, your congressmen, your presidents and their + cabinet officers did nothing about it, or very little. Is that what you + call efficiency? America remained lacking in all that makes for military + preparedness, did she not? And she tried to be a world power and defend + the Monroe doctrine! She told Germany in 1915 what Germany might do with + her submarines and what she might not do. Ha! We were at a disadvantage + then, but we remembered! You, with your third-rate navy and your + tenth-rate army, told us what we might do! Well, you see where your + efficiency has brought you.” + </p> + <p> + I sat silent until this storm should pass, and was just making bold to + speak when the prince continued: + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where America made her great mistake? Oh, what a chance you + had and missed it! Why did you not declare war on Germany after our + invasion of Belgium? Or after the sinking of the <i>Lusitania?</i> Or + after the sinking of the <i>Arabic?</i> You had your justification and, + with your money and resources, you could have changed the course of the + great war. That is what we feared in Berlin. We were powerless to hurt you + then and we knew you would have time to get ready. Yes, if America had + gone into the war in 1915, she would be the greatest power on earth to-day + instead of being a conquered province.” + </p> + <p> + These words hurt. + </p> + <p> + “America is a long way from being a conquered province,” I retorted. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head good-naturedly, whereupon I resolved to control my + temper. It would be folly to offend the prince and thus lose my chance to + secure an interview of international importance, which this proved to be. + </p> + <p> + “We hold New York already,” he continued. “Within three weeks we shall + hold New England. Within three months we shall hold your entire Atlantic + seaboard.” + </p> + <p> + “We may win back our lost territory,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Never. We are conquerors. We will stay here exactly as the Manchu + conquerors stayed in China. Exactly as the Seljuk conquerors stayed in + Asia Minor. Your military strength is broken. Your fleet will be destroyed + when it reaches the Caribbean. How can you drive us out?” + </p> + <p> + “Our population is over a hundred million.” + </p> + <p> + “China’s population is over three hundred million and a handful of + Japanese rule her. Remember, America is not like Russia with her heart + deep inland. The military heart of America lies within a radius of 180 + miles from New York City and we hold it, or soon will. In that small + strip, reaching from Boston to Delaware Bay, are situated nine-tenths of + the war munition factories of the United States, the Springfield Armory, + the Watervliet Arsenal, the Picatinny Arsenal, the Frankfort Arsenal, the + Dupont powder works, the Bethlehem steel works, and all these will shortly + be in our hands. How can you take them from us? How can you get along + without them?” + </p> + <p> + “We can build other munition factories in the West.” + </p> + <p> + “That will take a year or more, in which time we shall have fortified the + whole Appalachian Mountain system from Florida to the St. Lawrence, so + that no army can ever break through. Do you see?” + </p> + <p> + The prince paused with a masterful smile and played with a large signet + ring on his third finger. + </p> + <p> + “Surely Your Imperial Highness does not think that Germany can conquer the + whole of America?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not, at least not for many years. We are content with your + Atlantic seaboard, the garden spot of the earth in climate and resources. + We shall hold this region and develop it along broad lines of German + efficiency and German <i>kultur.</i> What wonderful improvements we will + make! How we will use the opportunities you have wasted! + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Let me give you one instance among many of your incredible + inefficiency. Those disappearing carriages of your coast defence guns! I + suppose they were the pet hobby of some politician with an interest in + their manufacture, but Gott in Himmel! what foolishness! The guns + themselves are good enough, but the carriages allow them an elevation of + only ten percent against a thirty percent elevation that is possible for + guns of equal calibre on our battleships, which means that our twelve-inch + guns outrange yours by a couple of miles simply because we can fire them + at a higher angle.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean that one of your super-dreadnoughts—” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. One of our super-dreadnoughts can lie off Rockaway Beach and + drop shells from her twelve-inch guns into Union Square, and the + twelve-inch guns of your harbour forts, handicapped by their stupid + carriages, could never touch her.” + </p> + <p> + The conversation now turned to other subjects and presently the prince was + led by enthusiasm or arrogance to make a series of statements that gave + extraordinary importance to my interview, since they enraged the whole + Anglo-Saxon world, particularly our Western and Middle Western states. + Fortunately I submitted my manuscript to Frederick William before cabling + the interview to London, so there was no danger of his repudiating my + words. + </p> + <p> + With brutal frankness this future ruler of a nation maintained that + against German arms America must now go down to defeat just as England + went down to partial defeat in 1917 and for the same unchangeable reason + that the fittest among nations inevitably survive. + </p> + <p> + “Ask your readers in the London Times, Mr. Langston, why it was that in + the fall of 1915 Germany had been able to put into the field nine million + fully equipped, highly efficient soldiers, whereas England, with nearly + the same population, counting her white colonies, had been able to send + out only two and a half million, a third of these being physically + defective? Why was that? + </p> + <p> + “Was it lack of guns and ammunition? Lack of officers and training? Partly + so, but something else was lacking, I mean patriotism among the English + masses that would give them the desire to fight for England, also a high + standard of physical excellence that would make them able to fight + effectively and to endure the hardships of the trenches. + </p> + <p> + “Now why should there be more patriotism in Germany than in England? Why + should the masses of Germany excel the masses of England in physical + vigour? + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you why, and the answer applies in some degree to America; it + is because the German system of government is better calculated to create + patriotism and physical vigour, just as it is better calculated to create + an efficient war machine. In Germany we have concentration of power, a + benevolent paternalism that knows the needs of the people and supplies + them whether the people wish it or not. For example, in Germany we have to + a great extent abolished poverty and such degrading slum conditions as + prevail in English and American cities. We know that slums lead to drink, + vice and physical unfitness. We know that we must kill the slums or see + the slums kill efficiency and kill patriotism. + </p> + <p> + “In Germany we hold the capitalist class within strict bounds. We allow no + such heaping up of huge fortunes as are common in America through the + exploitation of the weak by the strong. We Germans protect the weak and + make them stronger, but you English and Americans make them weaker by + oppressing them. You make slaves of children in a thousand factories, + crushing out their strength and their hope, so that a few more of you can + become millionaires. Do you think those children, grown to manhood, will + fight for you very loyally or very effectively when you call on them to + rally to the flag? What does such a flag mean to them?” + </p> + <p> + “What does the American flag mean to thousands of American steel workers + forced to toil at the furnaces twelve hours a day for two dollars? Twelve + hours a day and often seven days a week lest they starve! Why should these + men fight for a flag that has waved, unashamed, over their misery and over + the unearned and undeserved fortunes of their task masters, Andrew + Carnegie and J. P. Morgan? Why should the down-trodden miners in Colorado + fight to perpetuate a John D. Rockefeller system of government?” + </p> + <p> + “What does Your Imperial Highness mean by a John D. Rockefeller system of + government?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean the English and American system of individualism gone mad—every + man for himself and the devil take the hindermost. The result is a + trampling on the many by the few, a totally unfair division of the + products of toil and such wicked extremes of poverty and riches as are + familiar in London and New York but are unknown in Germany. + </p> + <p> + “In Germany the masses are well housed and well nourished. In all our + cities cheap and wholesome pleasures abound, music, beer gardens, great + parks with playgrounds and dancing pavilions. It is literally true that + work at fair wages with reasonable hours is provided for every German + citizen who is able to work. And those unable to work are taken care of,—pensions + for the aged, homes for the disabled, state assistance for poor mothers. + There are no paupers, no factory slaves in Germany. The central government + sees to this, not only as a matter of humanity, but as good policy. We + know that every German citizen will fight for the German flag because he + is proud of it and has personal reason to be grateful to it, since it + represents fair play, large opportunity, a satisfactory life for him and + his children.” + </p> + <p> + The prince maintained that here were new elements in the problem of + Germany’s conquest of America. Not only were the invaders more valiant + warriors possessed of a better fighting machine, but they came with a + moral and spiritual superiority that must make strong appeal to Americans + themselves. + </p> + <p> + “After yielding to us by force of arms,” he went on, “your people will + come to welcome us when they see how much better off, how much happier + they will be under our higher civilisation. Mr. Langston, we understand + your nation better than it understands itself. I assure you, Americans are + sick of their selfish materialism, they are ashamed of the degrading money + worship that has stifled their national spirit.” + </p> + <p> + Here I challenged him angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that we have no national spirit in America?” + </p> + <p> + “Not as Germans understand it. You live for material things, for + pleasures, for business. You are a race of money schemers, money + grovellers, lacking in high ideals and genuine spiritual life without + which patriotism is an empty word. Who ever heard of an American working + for his country unless he was paid for it? + </p> + <p> + “Think what America did in the great war! Why was your president so + wrought up in 1915 when he assailed Germany with fine phrases? Was it + because we had violated Belgium? No! When that happened he had nothing to + say, although the United States, equally with England, was a signatory of + the Hague Conference that guaranteed Belgium’s integrity. Why did not your + president protest then? Why did he not use his fine phrases then? Because + the United States had suffered no material injury through Belgium’s + misfortune. On the contrary, the United States was sure to gain much of + the trade that Belgium lost. And that was what he cared about, commercial + advantage. You were quick enough to protect your trade and your money + interests. You were ready enough to do anything for gold, ready enough, by + the sale of war munitions, to bring death and misery upon half of Europe + so long as you got gold from the other half. High ideals! National spirit! + There they are!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — BOSTON OFFERS DESPERATE AND BLOODY RESISTANCE TO THE + INVADERS + </h2> + <p> + Our wing of the advancing German army remained in Hartford for four days, + at the end of which all signs of disorder had ceased; in fact, there was + little disorder at any time. The lesson of New Haven’s resistance had been + taken to heart, and there was the discouraging knowledge that a row of + German six-inch siege-guns were trained on the city from the heights of + Elizabeth Park, their black muzzles commanding the grey towers and golden + dome of State House, the J. Pierpont Morgan Memorial, the gleaming white + new City Hall, the belching chimneys of the Underwood typewriter works, + and the brown pile of Trinity College. + </p> + <p> + There was the further restraining fact that leading citizens of Hartford + were held as hostages, their lives in peril, in James J. Goodwin’s + palatial home, among these being ex-Governor Morgan G. Buckley, Mayor + Joseph H. Lawler, Bishop Chauncey B. Brewster, Dr. Flavel S. Luther, + Bishop John J. Nilan, Mrs. Richard M. Bissell, Mrs. Thomas N. Hepburn, the + Rev. Rockwell Harmon Potter, Charles Hopkins Clark, Rolland F. Andrews, + the Rev. Francis Goodwin, Thomas J. Spellacy, and Sol Sontheimer. + </p> + <p> + So the invaders’ march through New England continued. It is a pitiful + story. What could Connecticut and Massachusetts do? With all their wealth + and intelligence, with all their mechanical ingenuity, with all their + pride and patriotism, what could they do, totally unprepared, more + helpless than Belgium, against the most efficient army in Europe? + </p> + <p> + Three times, between Hartford and Springfield, unorganised bands of + Americans, armed with shotguns and rifles, lay in ambush for the advancing + enemy and fired upon them. These men declared that they would die before + they would stand by tamely and see the homes and fields of New England + despoiled by the invader. Whereupon the Germans announced, by means of + proclamations showered upon towns and villages from their advance-guard of + aeroplanes, that for every German soldier thus killed by Americans in + ambush a neighbouring town or village would be burned by fire bombs + dropped from the sky. And they carried out this threat to the letter, so + that for every act of resistance by the fathers and brothers and sons of + New England there resulted only greater suffering and distress for the + women and the children. + </p> + <p> + The average man, especially one with a wife and children, is easily cowed + when he has no hope; and presently all resistance ceased. What feeble + opposition there was in the first week dwindled to almost nothing in the + second week and to less than nothing in the third week. Stamford paid two + million dollars in gold, Bridgeport five million, New Haven five million, + Hartford twenty million, Fall River three million, Springfield five + million, Worcester two million, Providence ten million, Newport fifty + million. The smaller cities got off with half a million each, and some of + the towns paid as little as one hundred thousand dollars. But every + community paid something, and the total amount taken from New England, + including a hundred million from New Hampshire, a hundred million from + Vermont, and a hundred million from Maine, was eight hundred million + dollars, about a third of which was in gold. + </p> + <p> + With a battle-front fifty or seventy-five miles long, von Kluck’s forces + strolled across this fertile and populous region, living off the land, + leaving small holding forces with artillery at every important point, a + few hundred or a few thousand, while the main army swept relentlessly and + resistlessly on. It was a delightful four weeks’ picnic for von Kluck and + his men; and at the end of four weeks everything in New England had fallen + before them up to the city of Boston, which had been left for the last. <i>And + the total German losses in killed and wounded were less than twenty!</i> + </p> + <p> + On July 2, General von Kluck’s army, sweeping forward unopposed, reached + the western and southwestern suburbs of Boston, passing through Newton and + Brookline, and making a detour to avoid ruining the beautiful golf links + where Ouimet won his famous victory over Ray and Vardon. This + sportsmanlike consideration was due to the fact that several of the German + officers and the Crown Prince himself were enthusiastic golfers. + </p> + <p> + Meantime there was panic in the city. For days huge crowds had swarmed + through Boston’s great railway stations, fleeing to Maine and Canada; and + across the Charles River bridge there had passed an endless stream of + automobiles bearing away rich families with their jewels and their silver. + Among them were automobile trucks from the banks, laden with tons of gold. + No boats left the harbour through fear of a grim German battleship that + lay outside, plainly visible from the millionaire homes of Nahant and + Manchester. + </p> + <p> + Even now there was talk of resistance, and German Taubes looked down upon + a mass meeting of ten thousand frantic citizens gathered in Mechanics Hall + on Huntington Avenue; but prudent counsels prevailed. How could Boston + resist without soldiers or ammunition or field artillery? Brooklyn had + resisted, and now lay in ruins. New Haven had tried to resist, and what + had come of it? + </p> + <p> + At three o’clock on this day of sorrow, with banners flying and bands + playing, the German forces—horse, foot, and artillery—entered + the Massachusetts capital in two great columns, the one marching down + Beacon Street, past the homes of Oliver Wendell Holmes and Julia Ward + Howe, the other advancing along Commonwealth Avenue, past the + white-columned Harvard Club, past the statues of Alexander Hamilton and + William Lloyd Garrison, on under the shade of four rows of elms that give + this noble thoroughfare a resemblance to the Avenue de la Grande Armée in + Paris. + </p> + <p> + It was a perfect summer’s day. The sun flashed from the golden dome of the + State House on the hill over Boston Common, and from the great white + Custom House tower that rose impressively in the distance above the green + of the Public Gardens. Boston looked on, dumb with shame and stifled rage, + as the invaders took possession of the city and ran up their flags, red, + white, and black, above the Old South Meeting House on Washington Street, + where Benjamin Franklin was baptised, and above the sacred, now + dishonoured, shaft of the Bunker Hill Monument. + </p> + <p> + Hostages were taken, as usual, these including Major Henry L. Higginson, + President A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard University, Major James M. Curley, + Edward A. Filene, Margaret Deland, William A. Paine, Ellery Sedgwick, Mrs. + John L. Gardner, Charles W. Eliot, Louis D. Brandeis, Bishop William + Lawrence, Amy Lowell, T. Jefferson Coolidge, Thomas W. Lawson, Guy + Murchie, and Cardinal O’Connell. + </p> + <p> + A proclamation was made in the <i>Transcript</i> (now forced to be the + official German organ and the only newspaper that was allowed to appear in + Boston) that these prominent persons would be held personally responsible + for any public disorder or for any failure of the city to furnish the army + of occupation with all necessary food and supplies. + </p> + <p> + On the night of occupation there were scenes of violence, with rioting and + looting in various parts of Boston, notably in Washington Street and + Tremont Street, where shops were wrecked by mobs from the South End, + several thousand of the unruly foreign element, crazed with drink and + carrying knives. Against this drunken rabble the American police, sullen + and disorganised, could do nothing or would do nothing; and the situation + was becoming desperate, when German troops advanced along Washington + Street, firing into the crowd and driving back the looters, who surged + through Winter Street, a frantic, terrified mass, and scattered over + Boston Common. + </p> + <p> + Here, in front of the Park Street Church, another huge mob of citizens had + gathered—five thousand wildly patriotic Irishmen. Armed with clubs, + rifles, and pistols, and madly waving the Stars and Stripes, they cursed, + cheered, and yelled out insults to the Germans. Suddenly a company of + German soldiers with machine-guns appeared on the high ground in front of + the State House. Three times a Prussian officer, standing near the St. + Gaudens Shaw Memorial, shouted orders to the crowd to disperse; but the + Irishmen only jeered at him. + </p> + <p> + “They want it; let them have it,” said the Prussian. “Fire!” + </p> + <p> + And three hundred fell before the blast of rifles and machine-guns. + </p> + <p> + At which the mob of Irish patriots went entirely mad, and, with yells of + hatred and defiance, swarmed straight up the hill at the battery that was + slaughtering them, shouting: “To hell with ‘em!” “Come on, boys!” charging + so fiercely and valiantly, that the Germans were swept from their + position, and for a short time a victorious American mob held the + approaches to the State House. + </p> + <p> + Alas, it was for only a short time! The enemy quickly brought forward + reinforcements in overwhelming strength, and an hour later there were only + dead, wounded and prisoners to tell of this loyal but hopeless effort. + </p> + <p> + In other parts of the city during this night of terror there were similar + scenes of bloodshed, the Germans inflicting terrible punishment upon the + people, innocent and guilty suffering alike for every act of disobedience + or resistance. There were a few cases of sniping from houses; and for + these a score of men, seized indiscriminately in the crowds, were hanged + from windows of the offending or suspected buildings. As a further lesson + to the city, two of the hostages, chosen by lot, were led out into the + Public Gardens the next morning at sunrise and shot near the statue of + Edward Everett Hale. + </p> + <p> + Machine-guns were now placed on the high ground before the Soldiers’ + Monument and at other strategic points, and ten thousand soldiers were + encamped on Boston Common, the main part of the army being withdrawn, + after this overwhelming show of force, to Franklin Park on the outskirts, + where heavy siege-guns were set up. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Transcript</i> appeared that day with a black-lettered + proclamation, signed by General von Kluck, to the effect that at the next + disorder five hostages would be shot, and six beautiful buildings—the + State House, the Custom House, the Boston Public Library, the Opera House, + the Boston Art Museum, and the main building of the Massachusetts School + of Technology—would be wrecked by shells. This reduced the city to + absolute submission. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. John L. Gardner’s fine Italian palace in the Fenway, with its wealth + of art treasures, was turned into a staff headquarters and occupied by the + Crown Prince, General von Kluck, and Count Zeppelin. The main body of + officers established themselves in the best hotels and clubs, the Copley + Plaza, the Touraine, the Parker House, the Somerset, the St. Botolph, the + City Club, the Algonquin, the Harvard Club, paying liberally for the + finest suites and the best food by the simple method of signing checks to + be redeemed later by the city of Boston. + </p> + <p> + Non-commissioned officers made themselves comfortable in smaller hotels + and in private houses and boarding-houses to which they were assigned. A + popular eating-place was Thompson’s Spa, where a crush of brass-buttoned + German soldiers lunched every day, perched on high stools along the + counters, and trying to ogle the pretty waitresses, who did not hide their + aversion. + </p> + <p> + It is worthy of note that the Tavern Club was burned by its own members to + save from desecration a spot hallowed by memories of Oliver Wendell + Holmes, James Russell Lowell, Charles Eliot Norton, and George William + Curtis. + </p> + <p> + I must mention another instance of the old-time indomitable New England + spirit that came to my knowledge during these sad days. The Germans levied + upon the city of Boston an indemnity of three hundred million dollars, + this to be paid at the rate of three million dollars a day; and on the + morning of July 4, two of von Kluck’s staff officers, accompanied by a + military escort, marched down State Street into the now deserted region of + banks and vaults and trust companies, to arrange for the regular payment + of this sum. Entering the silent halls of a great banking house, they came + to a rear office with the door locked. A summons to open being unanswered, + they broke down this door; whereupon a shot, fired from within, killed the + first soldier who crossed the threshold. A German volley followed, and, + when the smoke cleared away, there sat a prominent Boston financier, his + father’s Civil War musket clutched in his hands and the look of a hero in + his dying eyes. All alone, this uncompromising figure of a man had waited + there in his private office ready to defy the whole German army and die + for his rights and his convictions. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — LORD KITCHENER VISITS AMERICA AND DISCUSSES OUR + MILITARY PROBLEMS + </h2> + <p> + I was standing with Count Zeppelin in the doorway of Mrs. John L. + Gardner’s Fenway palace when the news of the great sea horror reached + Boston. The German submarine U-68, scouting off the coast of Maine, had + sunk the American liner <i>Manhattan</i>, the largest passenger vessel in + the world, as she raced toward Bar Harbor with her shipload of + non-combatants. Eighteen hundred and sixty-three men, women, and children + went down with the ship. No warning had been given. No chance had been + offered for women or children or neutral passengers to escape. The + disaster duplicated the wrecking of the <i>Lusitania</i> in 1915, but it + exceeded it in loss of human life. The American captain and all his men + shared the fate of the passengers intrusted to their care. + </p> + <p> + In Boston the effect on the German officers and men was unbelievable. + Tremont and Boylston and Washington streets, echoing with cheers of the + exulting conquerors, resembled the night of a Harvard-Yale football game + when Brickley used to play for Cambridge University. The citizens of the + big town, their senses deadened by their own disaster, received the news, + and the ghastly celebration that followed it, without any real interest. + The fact that an ex-Mayor of Boston and the son of the present Governor + were among those that perished failed to rouse them. Boston, mentally as + well as physically, was in the grip of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + That this was just the effect the Germans planned to produce is shown by + General von Kluck’s own words. In an interview that he gave me for the + London <i>Times</i>, after the occupation of Boston on July 2, 1921, + General von Kluck said: + </p> + <p> + “The way to end a war quickly is to make the burden of it oppressive upon + the people. It was on this principle that General Sherman acted in his + march from Atlanta to the sea. It was on this principle that General Grant + acted in his march from Washington to Richmond. Grant said he would fight + it out on those lines if it took all summer—meaning lines of + relentless oppression. In modern war a weak enemy like Belgium or like New + England, which is far weaker than Belgium was in 1914, must be crushed + immediately. Think of the bloodshed that would have stained the soil of + Connecticut and Massachusetts if we had not spread terror before us. As it + is, New England has suffered very little from the German occupation, and + in a very short time everything will be going on as usual.” + </p> + <p> + The veteran warrior paused, and added with a laugh: “Better than usual.” + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, within a week Boston had resumed its ordinary life + and activities. Business was good, factories were busy, and the theatres + were crowded nightly, especially Keith’s, where the latest military + photo-play by Thomas Dixon and Charles T. Dazey—with Mary Pickford + as the heroine and Charley Chaplin as the comedy relief—was enjoyed + immensely by German officers. + </p> + <p> + As to the commerce of Boston Harbor, it was speedily re-established, with + ships of all nations going and coming, undisturbed by the fact that it was + now the German flag on German warships that they saluted. + </p> + <p> + I received instructions from my paper about this time to leave New England + and join General Wood’s forces, which had crossed the Delaware into + Pennsylvania, where they were battling desperately with von Hindenburg’s + much stronger army. On the day following my arrival at the American + headquarters, I learned that Lord Kitchener had come over from England to + follow the fighting as an eye-witness; and I was fortunate enough to + obtain an interview with his lordship, who remembered me in connection + with his Egyptian campaigns. + </p> + <p> + “The United States is where England would have been in 1914 without her + fleet,” said Lord Kitchener. + </p> + <p> + “Where is that?” + </p> + <p> + “If England had been invaded by a German army in 1914,” replied the great + organiser gravely, “she would have been wiped off the map. It was + England’s fleet that saved her. And, even so, we had a hard time of it. + Everything was lacking—officers, men, uniforms, ammunition, guns, + horses, saddles, horse blankets, everything except our fleet.” + </p> + <p> + A sudden light burned in Lord Kitchener’s strange eyes, and he added + earnestly: “There is something more than that. In 1914 Germany was + wonderfully prepared in material things, but her greatest advantage over + all other nations, except Japan, lay in her dogged devotion to her own + ideals. She may have been wrong, as we think, but she believed in herself. + There was nothing like it in England, and there is nothing like it in + America. The German masses, to the last man, woman, and child, were + inspired to give all that they had, their lives included, for the Empire. + In England there was more selfishness and self-indulgence. We had labour + troubles, strike troubles, drink troubles; and finally, as you know, in + 1916 we were forced to adopt conscription. It will be the same story here + in America.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you think that America will ultimately win?” + </p> + <p> + Lord Kitchener hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. Germany holds New York and Boston and is marching on + Philadelphia. Think what that means! New York is the business capital of + the nation. It is hard to conceive of the United States without New York.” + </p> + <p> + “The Americans will get New York back, won’t they?” + </p> + <p> + “How? When? It is true you have a population of eighty millions west of + the Allegheny Mountains, and somehow, some day, their American spirit and + their American genius ought to conquer; but it’s going to be a job. + Patriotism is not enough. Money is not enough. Potential resources are not + enough. It is a question of doing the essential thing before it is too + late. We found that out in England in 1916. If America could have used her + potential resources when the Germans landed on Long Island, she would have + driven her enemies into the sea within a week; but the thing was not + possible. You might as well expect a gold mine in Alaska to stop a Wall + Street panic.” + </p> + <p> + I found that Lord Kitchener had very definite ideas touching great social + changes that must come in America following this long and exhausting war, + assuming that we finally came out of it victorious. + </p> + <p> + “America will be a different land after this war,” he said. “You will have + to reckon as never before with the lowly but enlightened millions who have + done the actual fighting. The United States of the future must be regarded + as a vast-co-operative estate to be managed for the benefit of all who + dwell in it, not for the benefit of a privileged few. And America may well + follow the example of Germany, as England has since the end of the great + war in 1919, in using the full power of state to lessen her present + iniquitous extremes of poverty and wealth, which weaken patriotism, and in + compelling a division of the products of toil that is really fair. + </p> + <p> + “I warn you that America will escape the gravest labour trouble with the + possibility of actual revolution only by admitting, as England has + admitted, that from now on labour has the whip hand over capital and must + be placated by immense concessions. You must either establish state + control in many industries that are now privately owned and managed and + establish state ownership in all public utilities or you must expect to + see your whole system of government swing definitely toward a socialistic + regime. The day of the multi-millionaire is over.” + </p> + <p> + I found another distinguished Englishman at General Wood’s headquarters, + Lord Northcliffe, owner of the London <i>Times</i>, and I had the unusual + experience of interviewing my own employer for his own newspaper. As + usual, Lord Northcliffe took sharp issue with Lord Kitchener on several + points. His hatred of the Germans was so intense that he could see no good + in them. + </p> + <p> + “The idea that Germany will be able to carry this invasion of America to a + successful conclusion is preposterous,” he declared. “Prussian supermen! + What are they? Look at their square heads with no backs to them and their + outstanding ears! Gluttons of food! Guzzlers of drink! A race of bullies + who treat their women like squaws and drudges and then cringe to every + policeman and strutting officer who makes them goose-step before him. + Bismarck called them a nation of house-servants, and knew that in racial + aptitude they are and always will be hopelessly inferior to Anglo-Saxons. + </p> + <p> + “Conquer America? They can no more do it than they could conquer England. + They can make you suffer, yes, as they made us suffer; they can fill you + with rage and shame to find yourselves utterly unprepared in this hour of + peril, eaten up with commercialism and pacifism just as we were. But + conquer this great nation with its infinite resources and its splendid + racial inheritance—never! + </p> + <p> + “The Germans despise America just as they despised England. John Bull was + an effete old plutocrat whose sons and daughters were given up to sport + and amusement. The Kaiser, in his famous Aix-la-Chapelle order, referred + scornfully to our ‘contemptible little army.’ He was right, it was a + contemptible little army, but by the end of 1917 we had five million fully + equipped men in the field and in the summer of 1918 the Kaiser saw his + broken armies flung back to the Rhine by these same contemptible + Englishmen and their brave allies. There will be the same marvellous + change here when the tortured American giant stirs from his sleep of + indifference and selfishness. Then the Prussian superman will learn + another lesson!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — HEROIC ACT OF BARBARA WEBB SAVES AMERICAN ARMY AT THE + BATTLE OF TRENTON + </h2> + <p> + Coming now to the campaign in New Jersey, let me recall that on the + evening of June 18, American scouting aeroplanes, under Squadron Commander + Harry Payne Whitney, reported that a strong force of Germans, cavalry, + infantry, and artillery, had occupied the heights above Bordentown, New + Jersey, and were actively proceeding to build pontoons across the + Delaware. It seemed clear that von Hindenburg was preparing to cross the + river at the very point where Washington made his historic crossing in + 1776; and General Wood proceeded to attack the enemy’s position with his + artillery, being assisted by four light-draught gunboats from the + Philadelphia navy-yard, which lay in the deepened channel at the head of + tide-water and dropped shells inside the enemy’s lines. The Germans + replied vigorously, and a smart engagement at long range ensued, lasting + until darkness fell. We fully expected that the next day would see a + fierce battle fought here for the command of the river. No one dreamed + that this was a trap set by von Hindenburg. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the crossing movement from above Bordentown was a + feint in which not more than 8,000 Germans were engaged, their main army + being gathered twenty miles to the north, near Lambertville, for the real + crossing. And only the prompt heroic action of three young Americans, two + boys and a girl, saved our forces from immediate disaster. + </p> + <p> + The heroine of this adventure was Barbara Webb, a beautiful girl of + sixteen, who, with her brother Dominick and their widowed mother, lived in + a lonely farm-house on Goat Hill, back of Lambertville. They had a boy + friend, Marshall Frissell, in Brownsburg, Pennsylvania, on the other side + of the river, and Marshall and Dominick had learned to wigwag signals, in + boy-scout fashion, back and forth across the Delaware. + </p> + <p> + It seems that, on this memorable night, the brother and sister discovered + a great force of Germans building pontoons about a mile below the wrecked + Lambertville bridge. Whereupon Dominick Webb, knowing that all telegraph + and telephone wires were cut, leaped upon a horse and set out to carry the + news to General Wood. But he was shot through the thigh by a Prussian + sentry, and, hours later, fainting from loss of blood, he returned to the + farm-house and told his sister that he had failed in his effort. + </p> + <p> + Then Barbara, as day was breaking, climbed to the crest of Goat Hill, and + began to signal desperately toward Brownsburg, in the hope that Marshall + Frissell might see and understand. For an hour she waved, but all in vain. + Marshall was asleep. Still she waved; and finally, by a miracle of faith, + the boy was roused from his slumbers, drawn to his window as the sun + arose, and, looking out, saw Barbara’s familiar flag wigwagging + frantically on the heights of Lambertville three miles away. Then he + answered, and Barbara cried out in her joy. + </p> + <p> + Just then a German rifle spoke from the riverbank below, a thousand yards + away, where the enemy were watching, and a bullet pierced the Stars and + Stripes as the flag fluttered over that slim girlish figure silhouetted + against the glory of the eastern sky. Then another bullet came, and + another. The enemy had seen Barbara’s manoeuvre. She was betraying an + important military secret, and she must die. + </p> + <p> + Wait! With a hostile army below her, not a mile distant, this fearless + American girl went on wigwagging her message—letter by letter, + slowly, painstakingly, for she was imperfect in the code. As she swept the + flag from side to side, signalling, a rain of bullets sang past her. Some + cut her dress and some snipped her flowing hair; and finally one shattered + the flag-staff in her hands. Whereupon, like Barbara Frietchie of old, + this fine young Barbara caught up the banner she loved, and went on waving + the news that might save her country, while a hundred German soldiers + fired at her. + </p> + <p> + And presently a wonderful thing happened. The power of her devotion + touched the hearts of these rough men,—for they were brave + themselves,—and, lowering their guns, with one accord, they cheered + this little grey-eyed, dimpled farmer’s girl with her hair blowing in the + breeze, until the Jersey hills rang. + </p> + <p> + And now the lad in Brownsburg rose to the situation. There were Germans on + the opposite bank, a great host of them, making ready to cross the + Delaware. General Wood must know this at once—he must come at once. + They say that freckle-faced Marshall Frissell, fifteen years old, on a mad + motorcycle, covered the twenty miles to Ft. Hill, Pa., where General Wood + had his headquarters, in fifteen minutes, and that by seven o’clock troop + trains and artillery trains were moving toward the north, winding along + the Delaware like enormous snakes, as Leonard Wood, answering the + children’s call, hastened to the rescue. + </p> + <p> + I dwell upon these minor happenings because they came to my knowledge, and + because the main events of the four days’ battle of Trenton are familiar + to all. In spite of the overwhelming superiority of the Germans in men and + artillery, the American army, spread along a twelve-mile front on the + hills opposite Lambertville, made good use of their defensive position, + and for three days held back the enemy from crossing the river. In fact, + it was only on the evening of the third day, June 21, that von + Hindenburg’s engineers succeeded in completing their pontoon line to the + Pennsylvania shore. Again and again the floating bridge was destroyed by a + concentrated shell fire from American batteries on the ridge a mile and a + half back from the river. + </p> + <p> + American aeroplanes contributed effectively to this work of resistance by + dropping explosive bombs upon the pontoons; but, unfortunately, German + aeroplanes outnumbered the defenders at least four to one, and soon + achieved a mastery of the sky. + </p> + <p> + A brilliant air victory was gained by Jess Willard, volunteer pilot of a + swift and powerful Burgess machine, over three Taubes, the latter + attacking fiercely while the champion prize-fighter circled higher and + higher, manoeuvring for a position of advantage. I shall never forget the + thrill I felt when Willard swooped down suddenly from a height of eight + thousand feet, and, by a dangerous turn, brought his machine directly over + the nearest German flier, at the same time dropping a fire bomb that + destroyed this aeroplane and hurled the wreck of it straight down upon the + two Taubes underneath, striking one and capsizing the other with the rush + of air. So the great Jess, by his daring strategy, hurled three of the + enemy down to destruction, and escaped safely from the swarm of pursuers. + </p> + <p> + On the fourth day, the Germans—thanks to an advantage of three to + one in artillery pieces—succeeded in crossing the Delaware; and + after that the issue of the battle was never in doubt, the American forces + being outnumbered and outclassed. Two-thirds of General Wood’s army were + either militia, insufficiently equipped and half trained, or raw recruits. + There were fifteen thousand of the latter who had volunteered within a + fortnight, loyal patriots ready to die for their country, but without the + slightest ability to render efficient military service. These volunteers + included clerks, business men, professional men from the cities of New + Jersey and Pennsylvania, thousands of workmen from great factories like + the Roebling wire works, thousands of villagers and farmers, all blazing + with zeal, but none of them able to handle a high-power Springfield rifle + or operate a range-finder or make the adjustments for the time-fuse of a + shell. + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: THE PEOPLE KNEW THE ANSWER OF VON HINDENBURG. THEY HAD READ + IT, AS HAD ALL THE WORLD FOR MILES AROUND, IN THE CATACLYSM OF THE + PLUNGING TOWERS. NEW YORK MUST SURRENDER OR PERISH!} + </p> + <p> + “They shot away tons of ammunition without hitting anything,” said one of + the American officers to me. “They didn’t know how to use wind-gauges or + elevation-sights. They couldn’t even pull a trigger properly.” + </p> + <p> + And yet, the Germans suffered heavily in that desperate battle of the + fourth day—partly because they attacked again and again in close + formation and were mowed down by American machine-guns; partly because + General Wood had fortified his position with miles of wire entanglements + through which high-voltage electric currents were sent from the + power-house of the Newtown and Trenton trolley systems in Newtown, + Pennsylvania; and, finally, because the American commander, in an address + to his troops, read at sunset on the eve of battle, had called upon them + in inspiring words to fight for their wives and children, for the + integrity of the nation, for the glory of the old flag. + </p> + <p> + And they fought until they died. When the battle was over, the Americans + had lost 15,000 out of 70,000, while the Germans lost 12,000 out of + 125,000. Von Hindenburg himself admitted that he had never seen such mad, + hopeless, magnificent courage. + </p> + <p> + Again General Wood faced defeat and the necessity of falling back to a + stronger position. For weeks thousands of labourers had been digging + trenches north of Philadelphia; and now the American army, beaten but + defiant, retreated rapidly and in some disorder through Jenkintown and + Bristol to this new line of intrenchments that spread in fan shape from + the Schuylkill to the Delaware. + </p> + <p> + It was of the most desperate importance now that word be sent to + Harrisburg and to the mobilisation camp at Gettysburg and to other + recruiting points in the West and South, demanding that all possible + reinforcements be rushed to Philadelphia. As communication by telegraph + and telephone was cut off, General Wood despatched Colonel Horace M. + Reading and Captain William E. Pedrick, officers of the National Guard, in + a swift automobile, with instructions that these calls for help be flashed + <i>without fail</i> from the wireless station in the lofty granite shaft + of the Trenton monument that commemorates Washington’s victory over the + Hessians. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, owing to bad roads and wrecked bridges, these officers + suffered great delay, and only reached the Trenton monument as the German + host, with rolling drums, was marching into the New Jersey capital along + Pennington Avenue, the triumphant way that Washington had followed after + his great victory. + </p> + <p> + As the invaders reached the little park where the monument stands, they + saw that a wireless station was in operation there, and demanded its + surrender. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Reading, wishing to gain time (for every minute counted), opened a + glass door and stepped out on the little balcony at the top of the + monument one hundred and fifty feet above the ground. He tried to speak, + but a German officer cut him short. He must surrender instantly or they + would fire. + </p> + <p> + “Fire and be damned!” shouted the Colonel, and turned to the white-faced + wireless operator inside. “Have you got Harrisburg yet?” he asked. “For + God’s sake, hustle!” + </p> + <p> + “Just got ‘em,” answered the operator. “I need five minutes to get this + message through.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes! The German officer below, red with anger, was calling out + sharp orders. A six-inch gun was set up under the Carolina poplars not a + hundred yards from the monument. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll show them!” roared the Prussian, as the gun crew drove home a + hundred-pound shell. “Ready!” + </p> + <p> + “Is that message gone?” gasped Reading. + </p> + <p> + “Half of it. I need two minutes.” + </p> + <p> + Two minutes! The officer was aiming the big gun at the base of the + monument, and was just giving the word to fire when the heavy bronze door + swung open, and between the two bronze soldiers appeared Elias A. Smith, a + white-haired veteran, over ninety years old, with a bronze medal on his + breast and the Stars and Stripes wound around his waist. + </p> + <p> + “I fought in the Civil War!” he cried, in a shrill voice. “Here’s my + medal. Here’s my flag. I’ve been the guardian of the monument for sixteen + years. George Washington’s up there on top, and if you’re going to shoot + him, you can shoot me, too.” + </p> + <p> + The Germans were so surprised by this venerable apparition that they stood + like stones. + </p> + <p> + “Hi! Yi!” shouted Colonel Reading. “It’s gone!” + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah!” echoed the old man. “I was with Grant at Appomattox when Lee + surrendered. Why don’t you fire?” + </p> + <p> + Then they did fire, and the proud shaft bearing the statue of George + Washington crumbled to earth; and in the ruin of it four brave Americans + perished. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — REAR-ADMIRAL THOMAS Q. ALLYN WEIGHS CHANCES OF THE + AMERICAN FLEET IN IMPENDING NAVAL BATTLE + </h2> + <p> + While the main German army pressed on in pursuit of General Wood’s fleeing + forces, a body of ten thousand of the invaders was left behind at various + points in northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania to pacify this + region and organise its industries and activities. The Picatinny arsenal + was now running night and day, under the direction of a force of chemists + brought from Germany, turning out shells and cartridges for the invading + army. The great Roebling plant in Trenton was commandeered for the + production of field telephone and telegraph wire, and the Mercer + automobile factory for military motor-trucks and ambulances. + </p> + <p> + I was astonished at the rapidity with which German engineers repaired + bridges and railroads that had been wrecked by the retreating Americans, + and was assured that the invaders had brought with them from their own + country a full supply of steel spans, beams, girders, trusses, and other + parts necessary for such repairs, down to the individual bolts and pins + for each separate construction. It was an amazing illustration of their + preparedness, and of their detailed knowledge of conditions in America. + </p> + <p> + Trains were soon running regularly between Jersey City and Trenton, their + operations being put in the hands of two Pennsylvania Railroad officials, + J.B. Fisher, superintendent of the New York division, and Victor Wierman, + superintendent of the Trenton division—these two, with their + operating staffs, being held personally responsible, under pain of death, + for the safe and prompt arrival of troops and supplies. + </p> + <p> + For the pacification of Trenton the Germans left a force of three thousand + men with artillery encamped in the State Fair grounds near the capital, + and it was announced in the Trenton <i>Times</i> (made the official German + organ) that at the first disorder shells would be fired at the white + marble City Hall, at the State House, with its precious collection of + flags and banners from the Civil and Revolutionary wars, at the Broad + Street National Bank, and at the Public Service building, which stands + where the Hessians surrendered in 1776. + </p> + <p> + Among hostages taken here by the Germans were R.V. Kuser, head of the + Trenton Brewing Company; General Wilbur F. Sadler, president of the Broad + Street Trust Company; Colonel E. C. Stahl, a Civil War veteran and the + father of Rose Stahl; also the Roman Catholic Bishop James F. McFaul and + the Episcopal Bishop Paul Matthews. + </p> + <p> + Many Trenton women, including Mrs. Karl G. Roebling, Mrs. Oliphant, wife + of the General, Miss Mabel Hayter, and Mrs. Charles Howell Cook, were + devoted in nursing the wounded who were brought by thousands to the + historic churches of Trenton, used as hospitals, and to the vast Second + Regiment armory. + </p> + <p> + Several American nurses came into possession of diaries found on wounded + German soldiers, and some of these recorded excesses similar to those + committed in Belgium in 1914. + </p> + <p> + “On the main street of the town of Dover, New Jersey,” wrote Private + Karmenz, 178th Saxon Regiment, “I saw about fifty citizens shot for having + fired from ambush on our soldiers.” + </p> + <p> + “Glorious victories in Pennsylvania,” rejoiced Lieutenant A. Aberlein of + the Eighth Bavarian Army Corps. “Our men of softer spirit give the wounded + a bullet of deliverance; the others hack and stab as they may.” + </p> + <p> + The tribute levied upon Trenton was four million dollars in gold, recently + realised by the State Treasurer from an issue of State bonds to supply + State deficiencies. + </p> + <p> + German officers made themselves comfortable in the Trenton Club, the Lotus + Club, the Carteret Club, and the Elk Home; also in the Windsor House, the + Trenton House, and the Sterling House. Printed schedules of rates for food + and rooms were posted up, and the proprietors were notified that they + would be punished if they refused to give service at these rates, just as + the German soldiers would be punished if they tried to evade payment. + </p> + <p> + Officers of the German headquarters staff occupied Karl G. Roebling’s show + place, with its fine stables, lawns, and greenhouses. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the battle of Trenton, I received a cable to the effect + that the American fleet had nearly completed its voyage around South + America and had been sighted off Cape St. Roque, the northeastern corner + of Brazil, headed toward the Caribbean Sea. It was known that the German + fleet had been cruising in these waters for weeks, awaiting the enemy’s + arrival, and cutting off their colliers and supply ships from all ports in + Europe and America; and it was now evident that a great naval battle must + occur in the near future. + </p> + <p> + I took steamer at once for Kingston, Jamaica; and on the evening of my + arrival, July 10, I called on my friend, Rear-Admiral Thomas Q. Allyn of + the United States Navy (now retired), whom I had not seen since our + dramatic meeting at Colon when the Panama Canal was wrecked by the + Germans. I had many questions to ask the Admiral, and we talked until + after midnight. + </p> + <p> + “I am horribly anxious, Mr. Langston,” said the veteran of Manila. “We are + facing a great crisis. Our ships are going into battle, and within a few + hours we shall know whether the civilian policy at Washington that has + controlled our naval development—the policy that forced me to resign + rather than assume the responsibility for consequences—we shall know + whether that policy was wise or foolish.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not suspect that you resigned for that reason,” said I. + </p> + <p> + His face darkened. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. There had been tension for months. The whole service was + demoralised. Discipline and efficiency were destroyed. As far back as + 1914, I testified before the House Committee on Naval Affairs that it + would take five years to make our fleet ready to fight the fleet of any + first-class naval power, and to get our personnel into proper condition. I + said that we were not able to defend the Monroe Doctrine in the Atlantic, + or to force the Open Door of trade in the Pacific. I might as well have + spoken to the winds, and when the order came last April, against the best + naval advice, to take our fleet into the Pacific, I handed in my + resignation.” + </p> + <p> + “You must be glad you did, in view of what happened.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but—I am thinking of my country. I am thinking of those + unfortunate ships that have come around South America without sufficient + coal or provisions.” + </p> + <p> + I asked Admiral Allyn how the American fleet compared with the Germans in + number of ships. He shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “We are far behind them. Nine years ago, in 1912, we stood next to Great + Britain in naval strength; but since then we have steadily fallen back. + Germany has a dozen super-dreadnoughts, ships of over 30,000 tons, while + we have six. Germany has twenty dreadnoughts of from 20,000 to 30,000 tons + to our ten. She has four battle-cruisers, while we have none. She has a + hundred destroyers to our twenty-five.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand that these figures refer to the fleets that are actually + going into battle?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Germany’s entire naval strength is a third more than that. I have + accurate information. You see, our fleet is outclassed.” + </p> + <p> + “But it will fight?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course our fleet will fight; but—we can’t get to our base at + Guantánamo—the German fleet blocks the way. For years we have begged + that Guantánamo be fortified; but our request was always refused.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, why? Why, in 1915, were we refused eighteen thousand men on the + active list that were absolutely necessary to man our ships? Why have we + practically no naval reserves? Why, in 1916, were the President’s + reasonable demands for naval preparedness refused by Congress? I will tell + you why! Because politics has been considered more than efficiency in the + handling of our navy. Vital needs have been neglected, so that a show of + economy could be made to the people and get their votes. Economy! Good + heavens! you see where it has brought us!” + </p> + <p> + On the morning of July 11, as I was breakfasting in the hotel with Admiral + Allyn, there was great excitement outside, and, going to the piazza, we + saw a large airship approaching rapidly from the northwest at the height + of about a mile. It was one of the non-rigid Parseval type, evidently a + German. + </p> + <p> + “A scout from the enemy’s fleet,” said Admiral Allyn. + </p> + <p> + “That means they are not far away?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. They came through the Windward Passage three weeks ago, and have + been lying off Guantánamo ever since. We ought to have wireless reports of + them soon.” + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, before noon the wireless station at Santiago de Cuba + flashed the news that coasting steamers had reported German battleships + steaming slowly to the south, and a few hours later other wireless reports + informed us that the American fleet had been sighted off the southern + coast of Haiti. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral nodded grimly. + </p> + <p> + “The hour has struck. The German and American fleets will meet in these + waters somewhere between Guantánamo and Jamaica.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA + </h2> + <p> + In a flash my newspaper sense made me realise that this was an + extraordinary opportunity. The greatest naval battle in history was about + to be fought so near us that we might almost hear the big guns booming. It + would be worth thousands of pounds to the London <i>Times</i> to have an + eye-witness account of this battle, and I resolved to turn the island of + Jamaica upside down in search of an aeroplane that would take me out to + sea. + </p> + <p> + The fates were certainly kind to me—or rather the British Consul was + efficient; and before night I had secured the use of a powerful + Burgess-Dunne aeroboat, the property of Vincent Astor; also Mr. Astor’s + skilful services as pilot, which he generously offered through his + interest in naval affairs and because of his desire to give the world this + first account of a sea battle observed from the sky. + </p> + <p> + We started the next morning, an hour after sunrise, flying to the north + straight across the island of Jamaica, and then out over the open sea. I + shall never forget the beauty of the scene that we looked down upon—the + tropical flowers and verdure of the rugged island, and the calmly smiling + purple waters surrounding it. We flew swiftly through the delicious air at + a height of half a mile, and in two hours we had covered a third of the + distance to Guantánamo and were out of sight of land. + </p> + <p> + At ten o’clock we turned to the right and steered for a column of smoke + that had appeared on the far horizon; and at half-past ten we were + circling over the American fleet as it steamed ahead slowly with fires + under all boilers and everything ready for full speed at an instant’s + notice. + </p> + <p> + As we approached the huge super-dreadnought <i>Pennsylvania</i>, flag-ship + of the American squadron, Mr. Astor unfurled the Stars and Stripes, and we + could hear the crews cheering as they waved back their greetings. + </p> + <p> + I should explain that we were able to converse easily, above the roar of + our propellers, by talking into telephone head-pieces. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” cried Astor. “Our ships are beginning a manoeuvre.” + </p> + <p> + The <i>Pennsylvania</i>, with red-and-white flags on her foremast, was + signalling to the fleet: “Prepare to engage the enemy.” We watched eagerly + as the great ships, stretching away for miles, turned slightly to + starboard and, with quickened engines, advanced in one long line of + battle. + </p> + <p> + At half-past eleven another smoke column appeared on our port bow, and + within half an hour we could make out enemy vessels on either hand. + </p> + <p> + “They’re coming on in two divisions, miles apart,” said Astor, studying + the two smoke columns with his glasses. “We’re headed right between them.” + </p> + <p> + We flew ahead rapidly, and presently could clearly discern that the + vessels to starboard were large battleships and those to port were + destroyers. + </p> + <p> + At one o’clock the two fleets were about nineteen thousand yards apart and + were jockeying for positions. Suddenly four vessels detached themselves + from the German battleship line and steamed at high speed across the head + of the American column. + </p> + <p> + “What’s that? What are they doing?” asked Astor. + </p> + <p> + “Trying to cap our line and torpedo it. Admiral Togo did the same thing + against the Russians in the Yellow Sea. Admiral Fletcher is swinging his + line to port to block that move.” + </p> + <p> + “How do they know which way to manoeuvre? I don’t see any signals.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s done by radio from ship to ship. Look! They are forcing us to head + more to port. That gives them the advantage of sunlight. Ah!” + </p> + <p> + I pointed to the German line, where several puffs of smoke showed that + they had begun firing. Ten seconds later great geyser splashes rose from + the sea five hundred yards beyond the <i>Pennsylvania,</i> and then we + heard the dull booming of the discharge. The battle had begun. I glanced + at my watch. It was half-past one. + </p> + <p> + <i>Boom! Boom! Boom!</i> spoke the big German guns eight miles away; but + we always saw the splashes before we heard the sounds. Sometimes we could + see the twelve-inch shells curving through the air—big, black, + clumsy fellows. + </p> + <p> + Awe-struck, from our aeroplane, Astor and I looked down upon the American + dreadnoughts as they answered the enemy in kind, a whole line thundering + forth salvos that made the big guns flame out like monster torches, dull + red in rolling white clouds of smokeless powder. We could see the tense + faces of those brave men in the fire-control tops. + </p> + <p> + “See that!” I cried, as a shell struck so close to the <i>Arizona</i>, + second in line, that the “spotting” officers on the fire-control platform + high on her foremast were drenched with salt water. + </p> + <p> + I can give here only the main features of this great battle of the + Caribbean, which lasted five hours and a quarter and covered a water area + about thirty miles long and twenty miles wide. My plan of it, drawn with + red and black lines to represent movements of rival fleets, is a tangle of + loops and curves. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think there is any chance that it will be a drawn game?” said + Astor, pale with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “No,” I answered. “A battle like this is never a drawn game. It’s always a + fight to a finish.” + </p> + <p> + Our aeroboat behaved splendidly, in spite of a freshening trade-wind + breeze, and we circled lower for a better view of the battle which now + grew in fierceness as the fleets came to closer quarters. At one time we + dropped to within two thousand feet of the sea before Astor remembered + that our American flag made a tempting target for the German guns and + steered to a higher level. + </p> + <p> + “They don’t seem to fire at us, do they? I suppose they think we aren’t + worth bothering with,” he laughed. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, not a single shot was fired at us during the entire + engagement. + </p> + <p> + I must say a word here regarding an adroit German manoeuvre early in the + battle by which the invaders turned an apparent inferiority in submarines + into a distinct advantage. The American fleet had thirty submarines (these + had been towed painfully around South America) while the Germans had only + five, but these five were large and speedy, built to travel with the fleet + under their own power and not fall behind. The thirty American submarines, + on the other hand, could not make over twelve knots an hour. Consequently, + when the German line suddenly quickened its pace to twenty-five knots, + Admiral Fletcher had to choose between abandoning his underwater craft and + allowing his fleet to be capped by the enemy; that is, exposed to a raking + fire with great danger from torpedoes. He decided to abandon his + submarines (all but one that had the necessary speed) and thus he lost + whatever assistance these vessels might have rendered, and was obliged to + fight with a single submarine against five, instead of with thirty against + five. + </p> + <p> + When I explained this manoeuvre to Mr. Astor he asked the natural question + why Admiral Fletcher had not foreseen this unfortunate issue and left his + burdensome submarines at Panama. I pointed out that these thirty vessels + had cost half a million dollars apiece and it was the admiral’s duty to + take care of them. It naturally was not his fault if Congress had failed + to give him submarines that were large enough and swift enough for + efficient fighting with the fleet. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the battle was booming on in two widely separated areas, the + battleships in one, the destroyers in the other. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Astor had held the wheel for five hours and, at my suggestion, he + retired to the comfortable little cabin and lay down for fifteen minutes, + leaving the aeroboat to soar in great slow circles under its admirable + automatic controls over the main battle area. When he returned he brought + hot coffee in a silver thermos bottle and some sandwiches, and we ate + these with keen relish, in spite of the battle beneath us. + </p> + <p> + The dreadnoughts had now closed in to eight thousand yards and the battle + was at the height of its fury, making a continuous roar, and forming five + miles of flaming tongues in a double line, darting out their messages of + hate and death. + </p> + <p> + As the afternoon wore on the wind strengthened from the northeast and I + realised the disadvantage of the American ships indicated by Admiral + Allyn, namely, that, being light of coal, they rode high in the sea and + rolled heavily. Unfortunately, the Germans had thirty battleships to + seventeen and this disparity was presently increased when the flotilla of + German destroyers, about eighty, after vanquishing their opponents, + swarmed against the hardpressed American line, attacking from the port + quarter under the lead of the four battle-cruisers so that the valiant + seventeen were practically surrounded. + </p> + <p> + In this storm of shells every ship was struck again and again and the huge + Pennsylvania, at the head of the column, seemed to be the target of the + whole German column. About three o’clock, as the flagship rolled far over + to port and exposed her starboard side, a twelve-inch shell caught her + below the armoured belt and smashed through into the engine-room, where it + exploded with terrific violence. The flagship immediately fell behind, + helpless, and Admiral Fletcher, badly wounded and realising that his + vessel was doomed, signalled to Admiral Mayo, on the <i>Arizona</i>, + second in line, to assume command of the fleet. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” cried Astor, suddenly, pointing to two black spots in the sea + about a thousand yards away. + </p> + <p> + “Periscopes,” said I. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment we saw two white trails swiftly moving along the + surface and converging on the <i>Pennsylvania</i> with deadly precision. + </p> + <p> + “Torpedoes! They’re going to finish her!” murmured Astor, his hands + clenched tight, his eyes sick with pain. + </p> + <p> + There was a smothered explosion, then a thick column of water shot high + into the air, and a moment later there came another explosion as the + second torpedo found its target. + </p> + <p> + And now the great super-dreadnought <i>Pennsylvania</i> was sinking into + the Caribbean with Admiral Fletcher aboard and seventeen hundred men. She + listed more and more, and, suddenly, sinking lower at the bows, she + submerged her great shoulders in the ocean and rolled her vast bulk slowly + to starboard until her dark keel line rose above the surface with a green + Niagara pouring over it. + </p> + <p> + For a long time the <i>Pennsylvania</i> lay awash while the battle + thundered about her and scores of blue-jackets clambered over her rails + from her perpendicular decks and clung to her slippery sides. We could + hear them singing “Nancy Lee” as the waves broke over them. + </p> + <p> + “Are we afraid to die?” shouted one of the men, and I thrilled at the + answering chorus of voices, “No!” + </p> + <p> + Just before the final plunge we turned away. It was too horrible, and + Astor swung the aeroplane in a great curve so that we might not see the + last agonies of those brave men. When we looked back the flagship had + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + As we circled again over the spot where the <i>Pennsylvania</i> went down + we were able to make out a few men clinging to fragments of wreckage and + calling for help. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see them? Do you hear them?” cried Astor, his face like chalk. “We + must save one of them. She’ll carry three if we throw over some of our + oil.” + </p> + <p> + This explains why we did not see the end of the battle of the Caribbean + and the complete destruction of the American fleet. We threw overboard a + hundred pounds of oil and started back to Kingston with a crippled engine + and a half-drowned lieutenant of the <i>Pennsylvania</i> stretched on the + cabin floor. How we saved him is a miracle. One of our wings buckled when + we struck the water and I got a nasty clip from the propeller as I dragged + the man aboard; but, somehow, we did the thing and got home hours later + with one of the few survivors of Admiral Fletcher’s ill-fated expedition. + </p> + <p> + I have no idea how I wrote my story that night; my head was throbbing with + pain and I was so weak I could scarcely hold my pencil, but somehow, I + cabled two columns to the London <i>Times</i>, and it went around the + world as the first description of a naval battle seen from an aeroplane. I + did not know until afterwards how much the Germans suffered. They really + lost about half their battleships, but the Americans lost everything. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — PHILADELPHIA’S FIRST CITY TROOPS DIE IN DEFENCE OF + THE LIBERTY BELL + </h2> + <p> + I come now to the point in my narrative where I ceased to be merely a + reporter of stirring events, and began to play a small part that Fate had + reserved for me in this great international drama. Thank God, I was able + to be of service to stricken America, my own country that I have loved so + much, although, as correspondent of the London <i>Times</i>, it has been + my lot to spend years in foreign lands. + </p> + <p> + Obeying instructions from my paper, I hastened back to the United States, + where important events were pending. Von Hindenburg, after his Trenton + victory, had strangely delayed his advance against Philadelphia—we + were to learn the reason for this shortly—but, as we passed through + Savannah, we had news that the invading army was moving southward against + General Wood’s reconstructed line of defence that spread from Bristol on + the Delaware to Jenkintown to a point three miles below Norristown on the + Schuylkill. + </p> + <p> + The next morning we reached Richmond and here, I should explain, I said + good-bye to the rescued lieutenant, an attractive young fellow, Randolph + Ryerson, whose home was in Richmond, and whose sister, Miss Mary Ryerson, + a strikingly beautiful girl, had met us at Charleston the night before in + response to a telegram that her brother was coming and was ill. She nursed + him through the night in an uncomfortable stateroom and came to me in the + morning greatly disturbed about his condition. The young man had a high + fever, she said, and had raved for hours calling out a name, a rather + peculiar name—Widding—Widding—Lemuel A. Widding—over + and over again in his delirium. + </p> + <p> + I tried to reassure her and said laughingly that, as long as it was not a + woman’s name he was raving about, there was no ground for anxiety. She + gave me her address in Richmond and thanked me very sweetly for what I had + done. I must admit that for days I was haunted by that girl’s face and by + the glorious beauty of her eyes. + </p> + <p> + When we reached Washington we found that city in a panic over news of + another American defeat. Philadelphia had fallen and all communications + were cut off. Furthermore, a third force of Germans had landed in + Chesapeake Bay, which meant that the national capital was threatened by + two German armies. We now understood von Hindenburg’s deliberation. + </p> + <p> + In this emergency, Marshall Reid, brother-in-law of Lieutenant Dustin, the + crack aviator of the navy, who had been aboard the <i>Pennsylvania</i>, + volunteered to carry messages from the President to Philadelphia and to + bring back news. Reid himself was one of the best amateur flying men in + the country and he did me the honour to choose me as his companion. + </p> + <p> + We started late in the afternoon of August 17 in Mr. Reid’s swift Burgess + machine and made the distance in two hours. I shall never forget our + feelings as we circled over the City of Brotherly Love and looked down + upon wrecks of railroad bridges that lay across the Schuylkill. Shots were + fired at us from the aerodrome of the League Island Navy Yard; so we flew + on, searching for a safer landing place. + </p> + <p> + We tried to make the roof landing on the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, but the + wind was too high and we finally chanced it among the maples of + Rittenhouse Square, after narrowly missing the sharp steeple of St. Mark’s + Church. Here, with a few bruises, we came to earth just in front of the + Rittenhouse Club and were assisted by Dr. J. William White, who rushed out + and did what he could to help us. + </p> + <p> + Five hours later, Reid started back to Washington with details of reverses + sent by military and city authorities that decided the administration to + move the seat of government to Chicago without delay. He also carried from + me (I remained in Philadelphia) a hastily written despatch to be + transmitted from Washington via Kingston to the London <i>Times</i>, in + which I summed up the situation on the basis of facts given me by my + friend, Richard J. Beamish, owner of the Philadelphia <i>Press</i>, my + conclusion being that the American cause was lost. And I included other + valuable information gleaned from reporter friends of mine on the <i>North + American</i> and the <i>Bulletin</i>. I even ventured a prophecy that the + United States would sue for peace within ten days. + </p> + <p> + “What were General Wood’s losses in the battle of Philadelphia?” I asked + Beamish. + </p> + <p> + “Terribly heavy—nearly half of his army in killed, wounded and + prisoners. What could we do? Von Hindenburg outnumbered us from two to one + and we were short of ammunition, artillery, horses, aeroplanes, + everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Who blew up those railroad bridges and cut the wires?” + </p> + <p> + “German spies—there are a lot of them here. They sank a barge loaded + with bricks in the Schuylkill just above its joining with the Delaware and + blocked the channel so that ten battleships in the naval basin at League + Island couldn’t get out.” + </p> + <p> + “What became of the battleships?” + </p> + <p> + “Commandant Price opened their valves and sank them in the basin.” + </p> + <p> + “And the American army, where is it now?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “They’ve retreated south of the Brandywine—what’s left of them. Our + new line is entrenching from Chester to Upland to Westchester with our + right flank on the Delaware; but what’s the use?” + </p> + <p> + So crushing was the supremacy of the invaders that there was no further + thought of resistance in Philadelphia. The German army was encamped in + Fairmount Park and it was known that, at the first sign of revolt, German + siege-guns on the historic heights of Wissahickon and Chestnut Hill would + destroy the City Hall with its great tower bearing the statue of William + Penn and the massive grey pile of Drexel and Company’s banking house at + the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets. Von Hindenburg had announced + this, also that he did not consider it necessary to take hostages. + </p> + <p> + There was one act of resistance, however, when the enemy entered + Philadelphia that must live among deeds of desperate heroism. + </p> + <p> + As the German hosts marched down Chestnut Street they came to Independence + Hall and here, blocking the way on their sorrel horses with two white + mounted trumpeters, was the First City Troop, sixty-five men under Captain + J. Franklin McFadden, in their black coats and white doeskin + riding-breeches, in the black helmets with raccoon skin plumes, in their + odd-shaped riding boots high over the knee, all as in Revolutionary days—here + they were drawn up before the statue of George Washington and the home of + the Liberty Bell, resolved to die here, fighting as well as they could for + these things that were sacred. And they did die, most of them, or fell + wounded before a single one of the enemy set foot inside of Independence + Hall. + </p> + <p> + Here is the list of heroes who offered their lives for the cause of + liberty: + </p> + <p> + Captain J. Franklin McFadden, First Lieutenant George C. Thayer, Second + Lieutenant John Conyngham Stevens, First Sergeant Thomas Cadwalader, + Second Sergeant (Quartermaster) Benjamin West Frazier, Third Sergeant + George Joyce Sewell, William B. Churchman, Richard M. Philler, F. Wilson + Prichett, Clarence H. Clark, Joseph W. Lewis, Edward D. Page, Richard + Tilghman, Edward D. Toland, Jr., McCall Keating, Robert P. Frazier, + Alexander Cadwalader, Morris W. Stroud, George Brooke, 3d, Charles + Poultney Davis, Saunders L. Meade, Cooper Howell, C. W. Henry, Edmund + Thayer, Harry C. Yarrow, Jr., Alexander C. Yarnall, Louis Rodman Page, + Jr., George Gordon Meade, Pierson Pierce, Andrew Porter, Richard H. R. + Toland, John B. Thayer, West Frazier, John Frazer, P. P. Chrystie, Albert + L. Smith, William W. Bodine, Henry D. Beylard, Effingham Buckley Morris, + Austin G. Maury, John P. Hollingsworth, Rulon Miller, Harold M. Willcox, + Charles Wharton, Howard York, Robert Gilpin Irvin, J. Keating Willcox, + William Watkins, Jr., Harry Ingersoll, Russell Thayer, Fitz Eugene Dixon, + Percy C. Madeira, Jr., Marmaduke Tilden, Jr., H. Harrison Smith, C. Howard + Clark, Jr., Richard McCall Elliot, Jr., George Harrison Frazier, Jr., + Oliver Eton Cromwell, Richard Harte, D. Reeves Henry, Henry H. Houston, + Charles J. Ingersoll. + </p> + <p> + It grieved me when I visited the quaint little house on Arch Street with + its gabled window and wooden blinds, where Betsey Ross made the first flag + of the United States of America, to find a German banner in place of the + accustomed thirteen white stars on their square of blue. And again, when I + stood beside Benjamin Franklin’s grave in Christ Church Cemetery, I was + shocked to see a German flag marking this honoured resting-place. + “Benjamin and Deborah, 1790,” was the deeply graven words and, beside them + under a kindly elm, the battered headstone of their little four-year-old + son, “Francis F.—A delight to all who knew him.” Then a German flag! + </p> + <p> + I began to wonder why we had not learned a lesson from England’s + lamentable showing in 1915. What good did all our wealth do us now? It + would be taken from us—had not the Germans already levied an + indemnity of four hundred millions upon Philadelphia? And seized the + Baldwin locomotive works, the greatest in the world, employing 16,000 men? + And the Cramp shipbuilding yards? And the terminus at Point Breeze down + the river of the great Standard Oil Company’s pipe line with enormous oil + supplies? + </p> + <p> + Philadelphians realised all this when it was too late. They knew that ten + thousand American soldiers, killed in battle, were lying in fresh-made + graves. They knew that the Philadelphia Hospital and the University of + Pennsylvania Hospital and the commercial museum buildings nearby that had + been changed into hospitals could scarcely provide beds and nurses for + wounded American soldiers. And yet, “What can we do?” said Mayor George H. + Earle, Jr., to me. “New York City resisted, and you know what happened. + Boston rioted, and she had her lesson. No! Philadelphia will not resist. + Besides, read this.” + </p> + <p> + He showed me a message just arrived from Washington saying that the United + States was about to sue for peace. + </p> + <p> + The next day we had news that a truce had been declared and immediately + negotiations began between Chicago and Berlin, regarding a peace + conference, it being finally decided that this should take place at Mt. + Vernon, in the historic home of George Washington, sessions to begin early + in September, in order to allow time for the arrival of delegates from + Germany. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — THRILLING INCIDENT AT WANAMAKER’S STORE WHEN GERMANS + DISHONOUR AMERICAN FLAG + </h2> + <p> + During these peace preliminaries Philadelphia accepted her fate with + cheerful philosophy. In 1777 she had entertained British conquerors, now + she entertained the Germans. An up-to-date <i>meschianza</i> was + organised, as in Revolutionary days, at the magnificent estate “Druim + Moir” of Samuel F. Houston in Chestnut Hill, with all the old features + reproduced, the pageant, the tournament of Knights Templars and the games, + German officers competing in the latter. + </p> + <p> + In polo an American team composed of William H. T. Huhn, Victor C. Mather, + Alexander Brown and Mitchell Rosengarten played against a crack team of + German cavalry officers and beat them easily. + </p> + <p> + In lawn tennis the American champion, Richard Norris Williams, beat + Lieutenant Froitzheim, a famous German player and a friend of the Crown + Prince, in straight sets, the lieutenant being penalised for foot faulting + by the referee, Eddie von Friesen, a wearer of the iron cross, although + his mother was a Philadelphia woman. + </p> + <p> + Thirty thousand German soldiers crowded Shibe Park daily to watch the + series of exhibition contests between the Athletics and the Cincinnati + Reds, both teams being among the first civilians captured on the victors’ + entrance into Philadelphia. The Reds, composed almost entirely of Germans, + owned by Garry Hermann and managed by Herzog, were of course the + favourites over the Irish-American cohorts of Cornelius McGillicuddy; but + the Athletics won the series in a deciding game that will never be + forgotten. The dramatic moment came in the ninth inning, with the bases + full, when the famous Frenchman, Napoleon Lajoie, pinch-hitting for Baker, + advanced to the plate and knocked the ball far over Von Kolnitz’s head for + a home run and the game. + </p> + <p> + Another interesting affair was a dinner given to German officers by + editors of the <i>Saturday Evening Post</i>, on the tenth floor of the + Curtis Building, the menu comprising characteristic Philadelphia dishes, + such as pepper pot soup with a dash of sherry, and scrapple with fishhouse + punch. Various writers were present, and there were dramatic meetings + between American war correspondents and Prussian generals who had put them + in jail in the 1915 campaign. I noticed a certain coldness on the part of + Richard Harding Davis toward a young Bavarian lieutenant who, in Northern + France, had conceived the amiable purpose of running Mr. Davis through the + ribs with a bayonet; but Irvin S. Cobb was more forgiving and drank clover + club cocktails to the health of a burly colonel who had ordered him shot + as a spy and graciously explained the proper way of eating catfish and + waffles. + </p> + <p> + The Crown Prince was greatly interested when informed by Owen Wister that + these excellent dishes were of German origin, having been brought to + America by the Hessians in Revolutionary days and preserved by their + descendants, such families as the Fows and the Faunces, who still occupied + a part of Northeastern Philadelphia known as Fishtown. His Imperial + Highness also had an animated discussion with Joseph A. Steinmetz, + President of the Aero Club of Pennsylvania, as to the effectiveness of the + Steinmetz pendant hook bomb Zeppelin destroyer. + </p> + <p> + The German officers enjoyed these days immensely and made themselves at + home in the principal hotels, paying scrupulously for their + accommodations. General von Hindenburg stopped at the Ritz-Carlton, + Admiral von Tirpitz at the Bellevue-Stratford and others at the Walton and + the Adelphia. Several Prussian generals established themselves at the + Continental Hotel because of their interest in the fact that Edward VII of + England stopped there when he was Prince of Wales, and they drew lots for + the privilege of sleeping in the historic bed that had been occupied by an + English sovereign. + </p> + <p> + The Crown Prince himself was domiciled with his staff in E. T. + Stotesbury’s fine mansion on Walnut Street. Every day he lunched at the + Racquet Club, now occupied by German officers, and played court tennis + with Dr. Alvin C. Kraenzlein, the famous University of Pennsylvania + athlete, whom he had met in Berlin when Kraenzlein was coaching the German + Olympic team for the 1916 contests that were postponed, owing to the war, + until 1920. He also had a game with Jay Gould, champion of the world, and + being hopelessly outclassed, declared laughingly (the Crown Prince loves + American slang) that this young millionaire was “some player.” + </p> + <p> + A few days after the <i>meschiama</i> fêtes, his Imperial Highness gave a + dinner and reception to some of the leading men in Philadelphia and, + despite prejudice, was voted a remarkable figure like his father, + combining versatile knowledge with personal charm. He talked politics with + Boies Penrose, and reform with Rudolph Blankenburg. He was interested in + A. J. Drexel Biddle’s impartial enthusiasm for Bible classes and boxing + matches. He questioned Dr. D. J. McCarthy, famous neurologist of the + University of Pennsylvania, about mental diseases caused by war. He + laughed heartily on hearing a limerick by Oliver Herford beginning: “There + was a young prince Hohenzollern,” which was said to have delighted the + British ambassador. Finally, he listened while Ned Atherton and Morris L. + Parrish explained the fascination of <i>sniff</i>, a gambling game played + with dominoes much in vogue at the Racquet Club. His Imperial Highness + said he preferred the German game of <i>skat</i>, played with cards, and + James P. McNichol, the Republican boss, made a note of this fact. + </p> + <p> + As I passed through a gallery containing the magnificent Stotesbury + collection of paintings I heard a resounding voice saying with a harsh + German accent: “Ach! I told you! Your form of government is a failure. + People need a benevolent paternalism. There is no chance for military + efficiency under a republic.” + </p> + <p> + Turning, I recognised the stocky form of Commandant Price of the League + Island navy yard, who was listening to a tirade from Admiral von Tirpitz. + The latter, it seems, was marvelling that the United States naval + authorities had lacked the intelligence to cut a 1,700-yard canal from the + naval basin to the Delaware which would have made it impossible for the + Germans to tie up the American reserve fleet by blocking the Schuylkill. + This canal would also have furnished an ideal fresh-water dry-dock. + </p> + <p> + Commandant Price had informed the admiral that this very plan, with an + estimated cost of only three million dollars, had been repeatedly brought + before Congress, but always unsuccessfully. In other words, it was no + fault of the navy if these battleships were rendered useless. Whereupon + von Tirpitz had burst forth with his attack upon representative + government. + </p> + <p> + I was told that the Crown Prince had intended to invite to this gathering + some of the prominent women of Philadelphia, particularly one famous + beauty, whom he desired to meet, but he was dissuaded from this purpose by + a tactful hint that the ladies would not accept his invitation. The men + might go, for reasons of expediency, but American women had no place at + the feast of an invader. + </p> + <p> + It happened, however, a few days later, that the Imperial wish was + gratified, the occasion being an auction for the benefit of the American + Red Cross Fund held one afternoon in the gold ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton + Hotel. Tea was served with music by the Philadelphia orchestra under + Leopold Stokowski and the tickets were five dollars. + </p> + <p> + In a great crush (the gallery was reserved for German officers, including + the Crown Prince) the most distinguished society women in Philadelphia + stepped forth smilingly as manikins and displayed on their fair persons + the hats, gowns, furs, laces or jewels that they had contributed to the + sale. E. T. Stotesbury proved a very efficient auctioneer and large prices + were realised. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. G. G. Meade Large sold baskets of roses at twenty dollars each. Mrs. + W. J. Clothier sold three hats for fifty dollars each. Mrs. Walter S. + Thomson, said to be pro-German, sold a ball-gown for three hundred + dollars. Mrs. E. T. Stotesbury sold one of her diamond tiaras for twenty + thousand dollars. Mrs. Edward Crozer, Mrs. Horatio Gates Lloyd and Mrs. + Norman MacLeod sold gowns for three hundred dollars each. Mrs. Harry Wain + Harrison and Mrs. Robert von Moschzisker sold pieces of lace for a hundred + dollars each. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. A. J. Antelo Devereux, in smart riding costume, sold her fine hunter, + led in amid great applause, for two thousand dollars. Mrs. George Q. + Horwitz and Mrs. Robert L. Montgomery sold sets of furs for a thousand + dollars each. Mrs. Barclay H. Warburton sold her imported touring-car for + five thousand dollars. Mrs. Joseph E. Widener sold a set of four + bracelets, one of diamonds, one of rubies, one of sapphires, one of + emeralds, for fifteen thousand dollars. + </p> + <p> + The sensation of the afternoon came at the close when Admiral von Tirpitz + bought a coat of Russian sables offered by Mrs. John R. Fell for ten + thousand dollars, this being followed by a purchase of the Crown Prince, + who gave thirty thousand dollars for a rope of pearls belonging to Mrs. J. + Kearsley Mitchell. + </p> + <p> + All of this was briefly recorded in the Philadelphia <i>Press</i>, which + had been made the official German organ with daily editions in German and + English. The Crown Prince himself selected this paper, I was told, on + learning that the author of one of his favourite stories, “The Lady or the + Tiger,” by Frank R. Stockton, was once a reporter on the <i>Press</i>. + </p> + <p> + A few days later at the Wanamaker store on Chestnut Street the Crown + Prince figured in an incident that became the subject of international + comment and that throws a strange light upon the German character. + </p> + <p> + It appears that the Crown Prince had become interested in an announcement + of the Wanamaker store that half of its profits for one week, amounting to + many thousands of dollars, would go to the relief of American soldiers + wounded in battle. His Imperial Highness expressed a desire to visit the + Wanamaker establishment, and arrived one afternoon at the hour of a widely + advertised organ concert that had drawn great crowds. A special feature + was to be the Lohengrin wedding march, during the playing of which seven + prominent society women, acting on a charitable impulse, had consented to + appear arrayed as bridesmaids and one of them as a bride. + </p> + <p> + The Crown Prince and his staff, in brilliant uniforms, entered the vast + rotunda packed with men and women, just as this interesting ceremony was + beginning and took places reserved for them as conquerors, near the great + bronze eagle on its granite pedestal that faces the spot where William H. + Taft dedicated the building in December, 1911. + </p> + <p> + A hush fell over the assembly as Dr. Irvin J. Morgan at his gilded height + struck the inspiring chords, and a moment later the wedding procession + entered, led by two white-clad pages, and moved slowly across the white + gallery, Mrs. Angier B. Duke (dressed as the bride), Mrs. Victor C. + Mather, Mrs. A. J. Drexel Biddle, Jr., Mrs. Gurnee Munn, Mrs. Oliver E. + Cromwell, Miss Eleanor B. Hopkins and Mrs. George Wharton Pepper, Jr., a + tall and willowy auburn beauty and a bride herself only a few months + before, while Wagner’s immortal tones pealed through the marble arches. + </p> + <p> + As the music ceased one of the German officers, in accordance with a + prearranged plan, nodded to his aides, who stepped forward and spread a + German flag over the American eagle. At the same moment the officer waved + his hand towards the organ loft, as a signal for Dr. Morgan to obey his + instructions and play “The Watch on the Rhine.” + </p> + <p> + The crowd knew what was coming and waited in sickening silence, then + gasped in amazement and joy as the organ gloriously sounded forth, “My + Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” shouted the Prussian, purple with rage. “Stop!” + </p> + <p> + But Irvin Morgan played on like a good American, thrilling the great + audience with the treasured message: + </p> + <p> + “Sweet land of Liberty, Of Thee I sing.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment a little fellow seven years old, from Caniden, N. J., in + boy-scout uniform, did a thing that will live in American history. He had + been taught to rise when he heard that music and sing the dear words that + his mother had taught him, and he could not understand why all these + Americans were silent. Why didn’t they sing? He looked about him + anxiously. He had seen those Prussian officers spread the German flag over + the American eagle, and it suddenly flashed into his mind that it was his + business to do something. He must tear down that hateful flag. He must do + it if he died and, springing forward before any one could divine his + purpose, he dragged the German banner to the floor and, standing on it, + waved a little American flag drawn from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrims’ pride!” + </p> + <p> + He shrilled out, singing all alone while the proud organ thundered forth + its accompaniment. + </p> + <p> + As a match starts the powder train so this boyish act fired the whole + gathering of dumb patriots and straightway, Germans or no Germans, ten + thousand American voices took up the words while the youthful leader, with + eyes flashing, held up the Stars and Stripes there by the eagle. + </p> + <p> + A German officer, furious at this defiance, sprang toward the boy with + lifted sword and would have struck him down had not his Imperial master + intervened and with his own weapon caught the descending blow. + </p> + <p> + “Shame! Coward!” cried the Crown Prince. “We do not fight with children.” + </p> + <p> + And the end of it was that no one was punished, although concerts were + forbidden after this in the Wanamaker store. + </p> + <p> + I have related this incident not only for its own sake, but because of its + bearing on subsequent events. + </p> + <p> + “I’m going to write a story about that boy”, I said to W. Barran Lewis, + who stood near me. “Do you know his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the editor. “He is Lemuel A. Widding, Jr. Makes a good story, + doesn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + Lemuel A. Widding! Where had I heard that name? Suddenly I remembered—Kingston, + Jamaica, and Lieutenant Ryerson and the lovely girl who had told me about + her brother’s ravings. That was the name he had called out again and again + in his delirium. Lemuel A. Widding! + </p> + <p> + In spite of my interest in this puzzling circumstance I was unable to + investigate it, owing to the fact that I was hurried off to Mount Vernon + for the Peace Conference, but I wired Miss Ryerson in Richmond of my + discovery and gave her the boy’s address in Camden, N. J. Then I thought + no more about the matter, being absorbed in my duties. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — AN AMERICAN GIRL BRINGS NEWS THAT CHANGES THE COURSE + OF THE MOUNT VERNON PEACE CONFERENCE + </h2> + <p> + The sessions of the Mount Vernon Peace Congress were held in a large room + of the historic mansion that was George Washington’s business office. The + United States was represented by General Leonard Wood, William H. Taft and + Elihu Root; Germany by General von Hindenburg, General von Kluck and Count + von Bernstoff. + </p> + <p> + Although I was not personally present at these discussions I am able, + thanks to the standing of the London <i>Times</i>, to set forth the main + points on the highest authority. + </p> + <p> + In the very first session the peace commissioners came straight to the + main question. + </p> + <p> + “I am instructed by the President of the United States,” began General + Wood, “to ask your Excellency if the German Imperial Government will agree + to withdraw their armies from America in consideration of receiving a + money indemnity?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” replied General von Hindenburg. “That is quite out of the + question.” + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: GERMAN GUNS DESTROY THE HOTEL TAFT.} + </p> + <p> + “A large indemnity? I am empowered to offer three thousand million + dollars, which is three times as much, your Excellency will remember, as + the Imperial German Government accepted for withdrawing from France in + 1870.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and we always regretted it,” snapped von Hindenburg. “We should have + kept that territory, or part of it. We are going to keep this territory. + That was our original intention in coming here. We need this Atlantic + seaboard for the extension of the German idea, for the spread of German + civilisation, for our inevitable expansion as the great world power.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we agreed to pay four billion dollars?” suggested the American + commander. + </p> + <p> + Von Hindenburg shook his head and then in his rough, positive way: “No, + General. What we have taken by our victorious arms we shall hold for our + children and our grandchildren. I am instructed to say, however, that the + Imperial German Government will make one important concession to the + United States. We will withdraw our troops from the mouths of the + Mississippi which we now hold, as you know; we will withdraw from + Galveston, New Orleans, Pensacola, Tampa, Key West; in short, from all + ports in the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida. If you will allow me, + gentlemen, I will show you on this map what we propose to surrender to you + and what we propose to keep.” + </p> + <p> + The venerable Field Marshal unrolled upon the broad surface of George + Washington’s desk a beautifully shaded relief map of the United States, + and General Wood, ex-President Taft and Elihu Root bent over it with tense + faces and studied a heavy black line that indicated the proposed boundary + between the United States and the territory claimed by the invaders. This + latter included all of New England, about one-third of New York and + Pennsylvania (the southeastern portions), all of New Jersey and Delaware, + nearly all of Virginia and North Carolina and all of South Carolina and + Georgia. + </p> + <p> + “You observe, gentlemen,” said von Hindenburg, “that our American province + is to bear the name New Germany. It is bounded on the north by Canada, on + the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Florida, and on the west + by Alabama and the Allegheny Mountains. It is a strip of land; roughly + speaking, a thousand miles long and two hundred miles wide.” + </p> + <p> + “About the area of the German Empire,” said ex-President Taft. + </p> + <p> + “Possibly, but not one-tenth of the entire territory of the United States, + leaving out Alaska. We feel that as conquerors we are asking little + enough.” He eyed the Americans keenly. + </p> + <p> + “You are asking us to give up New York, Philadelphia and Washington and + all of New England,” said Elihu Root very quietly. “Does your Excellency + realise what that means to us? New England is the cradle of our liberties. + New York is the heart of the nation. Washington is our capital.” + </p> + <p> + “Washington <i>was</i> your capital,” broke in General von Kluck, with a + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I can assure your Excellency,” said General Wood, keeping his composure + with an effort, “that the American people will never consent to such a + sacrifice of territory. You may drive us back to the deserts of Arizona, + you may drive us back to the Rocky Mountains, but we will fight on.” + </p> + <p> + Von Hindenburg’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Ah, so!” he smiled grimly. + “Do you know what will happen if you refuse our terms? In the next few + months we shall land expeditions from Germany with a million more + soldiers. That will give us a million and a half men on American soil. We + shall then invade the Mississippi Valley from New Orleans, and our next + offer of terms will be made to you from St. Louis or Chicago, <i>and it + will be a very different offer</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “If your Excellency will allow me,” said Elihu Root in a conciliatory + tone, “may I ask if the Imperial German Government does not recognise that + there will be great difficulties in the way of permanently holding a strip + of land along our Atlantic seaboard?” + </p> + <p> + “What difficulties? England holds Canada, doesn’t she? Spain held Mexico, + did she not?” + </p> + <p> + “But the Mexicans were willing to be held. Your Excellency must realise + that in New England, in New York, in New Jersey, you would be dealing with + irreconcilable hatred.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing is irreconcilable. Look at Belgium. They hated us in 1915, did + they not? But sixty-five percent of them accepted German citizenship when + we offered it to them after the peace in 1919, and they have been a + well-behaved German province ever since.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean to say that New England would ever become a German province?” + protested William H. Taft. “Do you think that New York and Virginia will + ever take the oath of allegiance to the German Emperor?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course they will, just as most of the Spaniards you conquered in the + Philippine Islands took the oath of allegiance to America. They swore they + would not but they did. Men follow the laws of necessity. Half of your + population are of foreign descent. Millions of them are of German descent. + These people crowded over here from Europe because they were starving and + you have kept them starving. They will come to us because we treat them + better; we give them higher wages, cleaner homes, more happiness. They <i>have</i> + come to us already; the figures prove it. Not ten percent of the people of + New York and New England have moved away since the German occupation, + although they were free to go. Why is that? Because they like our form of + government, they see that it insures to them and their children the + benefits of a higher civilisation.” + </p> + <p> + My informant assured me that at this point ex-President Taft, in spite of + his even temper, almost exploded with indignation, while General Wood rose + abruptly from his seat. + </p> + <p> + For a time it looked as if this first Peace Conference session would break + up in a storm of angry recrimination; but Elihu Root, by tactful appeals, + finally smoothed things over and an adjournment was taken for forty-eight + hours, during which it was agreed that both sides, by telegraph and cable, + should lay the situation before their respective governments in Chicago + and Berlin. + </p> + <p> + I remained at Mount Vernon for two weeks while the truce lasted. Every day + the peace commissioners met for hours of argument and pleading, but the + deadlock of conflicting purposes was not broken. Both sides kept in touch + with their governments and both made concessions. America raised her + indemnity offer to five billion dollars, to six billion dollars, to seven + billion dollars, but declared she would never surrender one foot of the + Atlantic seaboard. Germany lessened her demands for territory, but refused + to withdraw from New York, New England and Philadelphia. + </p> + <p> + For some days this deadlock continued, then America began to weaken. She + felt herself overpowered. The consequences of continuing the war were too + frightful to contemplate and, on September 8, I cabled my paper that the + United States would probably cede to Germany within twenty-four hours the + whole of New England and a part of New York State, including New York City + and Long Island. This was the general opinion when, suddenly, out of a + clear sky came a dramatic happening destined to change the course of + events and draw me personally into a whirlpool of exciting adventures. + </p> + <p> + It was about three o’clock in the afternoon of September 9, a blazing hot + day, and I was seated on the lawn under one of the fine magnolia-trees + presented years before by Prince Henry of Prussia, wondering how much + longer I must swelter here before getting off my despatch to the <i>Times</i>, + when I heard the panting of a swiftly approaching automobile which + presently drew up outside the grounds. A moment later a coloured chauffeur + approached and asked if I was Mr. James Langston. I told him I was, and he + said a lady in the car wanted to speak to me. + </p> + <p> + “A lady?” I asked in surprise. “Did she give her name?” + </p> + <p> + The chauffeur broke into a beaming smile. “She didn’t give no name, boss, + but she sure is a ve’hy handsome lady, an’ she’s powh’ful anxious to see + you.” + </p> + <p> + I lost no time in answering this mysterious summons, and a little later + found myself in the presence of a young woman whom I recognised, when she + drew aside her veil, as Miss Mary Ryerson, sister of Lieutenant Randolph + Ryerson. With her in the car were her brother and a tall, gaunt man with + deep-set eyes. They were all travel-stained, and the car showed the + battering of Virginia mountain roads. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Langston,” cried the girl eagerly, “we have such wonderful news! + The conference isn’t over? They haven’t yielded to Germany?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said I. “Not yet.” + </p> + <p> + “They mustn’t yield. We have news that changes everything. Oh, it’s so + splendid! America is going to win.” + </p> + <p> + Her lovely face was glowing with enthusiasm, but I shook my head. + </p> + <p> + “America’s fleet is destroyed. Her army is beaten. How can she win?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Ryerson turned to her brother and to the other man. “Go with Mr. + Langston. Tell him everything. Explain everything. He will take you to + General Wood.” She fixed her radiant eyes on me. “You will help us? I can + count on you? Remember, it’s for America!” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do my best,” I promised, yielding to the spell of her charm and + spirit. “May I ask—” I glanced at the tall man who was getting out + of the car. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Now you will believe. You will see how God is guiding us. This is the + father of the brave little boy in Wanamaker’s store. He has seen Thomas A. + Edison, and Mr. Edison says his plan to destroy the German fleet is + absolutely sound. Mr. Langston, Mr. Lemuel A. Widding. Now hurry!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — THOMAS A. EDISON MAKES A SERIOUS MISTAKE IN + ACCEPTING A DINNER INVITATION + </h2> + <p> + As General Wood left the peace conference (in reply to our urgent summons) + and walked slowly across the Mount Vernon lawn to join us in the summer + house, he looked haggard and dejected. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Good news, General,” I whispered, but he shook his head wearily. + </p> + <p> + “No, it’s all over. They have worn us down. Our fleet is destroyed, our + army is beaten. We are on the point of ceding New England and New York to + Germany. There is nothing else to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait! We have information that may change everything. Let me introduce + Lieutenant Ryerson and Mr. Widding—General Wood.” They bowed + politely. “Mr. Widding has just seen Thomas A. Edison.” + </p> + <p> + That was a name to conjure with, and the General’s face brightened. + </p> + <p> + “I’m listening,” he said. + </p> + <p> + We settled back in our chairs and Lemuel A. Widding, with awkward + movements, drew from his pockets some papers which he offered to the + American commander. + </p> + <p> + “These speak for themselves, General,” he began. “Here is a brief + description of my invention for destroying the German fleet. Here are + blueprints that make it clearer. Here is the written endorsement of Thomas + A. Edison.” + </p> + <p> + For a long time General Wood studied these papers with close attention, + then he sat silent, looking out over the broad Potomac, his noble face + stern with care. I saw that his hair had whitened noticeably in the last + two months. + </p> + <p> + “If this is true, it’s more important than you realise. It’s so important + that—” He searched us with his kind but keen grey eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Thomas A. Edison says it’s true,” put in Widding. “That ought to be good + enough evidence.” + </p> + <p> + “And Lieutenant Ryerson tells me that Admiral Fletcher spoke favourably of + the matter,” I added. + </p> + <p> + “He did, General,” declared the lieutenant. “It was on the <i>Pennsylvania</i> + a few hours before we went into battle. The admiral had been looking over + Mr. Widding’s specifications the night before and he said—I remember + his words: ‘This is a great idea. If we had it in operation now we could + destroy the German fleet.’” + </p> + <p> + At this moment there came a fateful interruption in the form of an urgent + call for General Wood from the conference hall and he asked us to excuse + him until the next day when he would take the matter up seriously. + </p> + <p> + We returned at once to Washington and I spent that evening at the Cosmos + Club listening to a lecture by my oceanographical friend, Dr. Austin H. + Clark, on deep-sea lilies that eat meat. At about nine o’clock I was + called to the telephone, and presently recognised the agitated voice of + Miss Ryerson, who said that an extraordinary thing had happened and begged + me to come to her at once. She was stopping at the Shoreham, just across + the street, and five minutes later we were talking earnestly in the + spacious blue-and-white salon with its flowers and restful lights. + Needless to say, I preferred a talk with this beautiful girl to the most + learned discussion of deep-sea lilies. + </p> + <p> + Her message was brief but important. She had just been telephoning in a + drug-store on Pennsylvania Avenue when she was surprised to hear the name + of Thomas A. Edison mentioned several times by a man in the next booth who + was speaking in German. Miss Ryerson understood German and, listening + attentively, she made out enough to be sure that an enemy’s plot was on + foot to lay hold of the great inventor, to abduct him forcibly, so that he + could no longer help the work of American defence. + </p> + <p> + Greatly alarmed she had called me up and now urged me to warn the military + authorities, without wasting a moment, so that they would take steps to + protect Mr. Edison. + </p> + <p> + In this emergency I decided to appeal to General E.M. Weaver, Chief of + Coast Artillery, whom I knew from having played golf with him at Chevy + Chase, and, after telephoning, I hurried to his house in a taxicab. The + general looked grave when I repeated Miss Ryerson’s story, and said that + this accorded with other reports of German underground activities that had + come to his knowledge. Of course, a guard must be furnished for Mr. + Edison, who was in Baltimore at the time, working out plans for the + scientific defences of Washington in the physical laboratories of the + Johns Hopkins University. + </p> + <p> + “I must talk with Edison,” said the General. “Suppose you go to Baltimore + in the morning, Mr. Langston, with a note from me. It’s only forty-five + minutes and—tell Mr. Edison that I will be greatly relieved if he + will return to Washington with you.” + </p> + <p> + I had interviewed Thomas A. Edison on several occasions and gained his + confidence, so that he received me cordially the next morning in Baltimore + and, in deference to General Weaver’s desire, agreed to run down to + Washington that afternoon, although he laughed at the idea of any danger. + </p> + <p> + As we rode on the train the inventor talked freely of plans for defending + the national capital against General von Mackensen’s army which, having + occupied Richmond, was moving up slowly through Virginia. It is a matter + of familiar history now that these plans provided for the use of liquid + chlorine against the invaders, this dangerous substance to be dropped upon + the advancing army from a fleet of powerful aeroplanes. Mr. Edison seemed + hopeful of the outcome. + </p> + <p> + He questioned me about Lemuel A. Widding and was interested to learn that + Widding was employed at the works of the Victor Talking Machine (Edison’s + own invention) in Camden, N. J. His eyes brightened when I told him of + young Lemuel’s thrilling act at Wanamaker’s Philadelphia store which, as I + now explained, led to the meeting of the two inventors through the efforts + of Miss Ryerson. + </p> + <p> + “There’s something queer about this,” mused the famous electrician. + “Widding tells me he submitted his idea to the Navy Department over a year + ago. Think of that! An idea bigger than the submarine!” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible?” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it. Widding’s invention will change the condition of naval + warfare—it’s bound to. I wouldn’t give five cents for the German + fleet when we get this thing working. All we need is time. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Langston, there are some big surprises ahead for the American people + and for the Germans,” continued the inventor. “They say America is as + helpless as Belgium or China. I say nonsense. It’s true that we have lost + our fleet and some of our big cities and that the Germans have three + armies on our soil, but the fine old qualities of American grit and + American resourcefulness are still here and we’ll use ‘em. If we can’t win + battles in the old way, we’ll find new ways. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this, my friend. Have you heard of the Committee of Twenty-one? + No? Very few have. It’s a body of rich and patriotic Americans, big + business men, who made up their minds, back in July, that the government + wasn’t up to the job of saving this nation. So they decided to save it + themselves by business methods, efficiency methods. There’s a lot of + nonsense talked about German efficiency. We’ll show them a few things + about American efficiency. What made the United States the greatest and + richest country in the world? Was it German efficiency? What gave the + Standard Oil Company its world supremacy? Was it German efficiency? It was + the American brains of John D. Rockefeller, wasn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “Is Mr. Rockefeller one of the Committee of Twenty-one?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, he is, and so are Andrew Carnegie, James J. Hill, J. P. + Morgan, John Wanamaker, John H. Fahey, James B. Duke, Henry B. Joy, Daniel + B. Guggenheim, John D. Ryan, J. B. Widener, Emerson McMillin, Philip D. + Armour, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Elihu Root, George W. Perkins, Asa G. + Candler and two or three others, including myself. + </p> + <p> + “The Germans are getting over the idea that America is as helpless as + Belgium or China. Von Mackensen is going slow, holding back his army + because he doesn’t know what we have up our sleeve at the Potomac. As a + matter of fact, we have mighty little except this liquid chlorine and—well, + we’re having trouble with the steel containers and with the releasing + device.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean the device that drops the containers from the aeroplanes?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s it. We need time to perfect the thing. We’ve spread fake reports + about wonderful electric mines that will blow up a brigade, and that + helped some, and we delayed von Mackensen for two weeks south of + Fredericksburg by spreading lines of striped cheese-cloth, miles of it, + along a rugged valley. His aeroplane scouts couldn’t make out what that + cheese-cloth was for; they thought it might be some new kind of + electrocution storage battery, so the whole army waited.” + </p> + <p> + As we talked, the train stopped at Hyattsville, a few miles out of + Washington, and a well-set-up officer in uniform came aboard and + approached us with a pleasant smile. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Edison? I am Captain Campbell of General Wood’s staff,” he said. + “General Wood is outside in his automobile and asks you to join him. The + General thought it would be pleasanter to motor down to Mount Vernon.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s very kind,” said Edison, rising. + </p> + <p> + “And, Mr. Langston,” continued Captain Campbell, addressing me, “General + Wood presents his compliments and hopes you will dine with Mr. Edison and + himself at seven this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “With pleasure.” I bowed and watched them as, they left the train and + entered a military-looking automobile that stood near the track with + curtains drawn. A moment later they rolled away and I settled back in my + seat, reflecting complacently on the high confidence that had been shown + in my discretion. + </p> + <p> + Two hours later I reached Mount Vernon and was surprised, as I left the + train, to find General Wood himself waiting on the platform. + </p> + <p> + “You got back quickly, General,” I said. + </p> + <p> + He gave me a sharp glance. “Back from where?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, from where you met our train.” + </p> + <p> + “Your train? What train? I came here to meet Mr. Edison.” + </p> + <p> + “But you did meet him—two hours ago—in your automobile—at + Hyattsville.” + </p> + <p> + The general stared in amazement. “I don’t know what you are talking about. + I haven’t left Mount Vernon. I haven’t seen Mr. Edison. What has happened? + Tell me!” + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” I said, as the truth began to break on me. “Is there a Captain + Campbell on your staff?” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then—then—” I was trying to piece together the evidence. + </p> + <p> + “Well? Go on!” he urged impatiently, whereupon I related the events of the + morning. + </p> + <p> + “Good Lord!” he cried. “It’s an abduction—unquestionably. This + Captain Campbell was a German spy. You say the automobile curtains were + drawn? That made it dark inside, and no doubt the pretended General Wood + wore motor goggles. Before Edison discovered the trick they were off at + full speed and he was overpowered on the back seat. Think of that! Thomas + A. Edison abducted by the Germans!” + </p> + <p> + “Why would they do such a thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Don’t you see? That invention of Widding’s will destroy the German + fleet. It’s a matter of life and death to them and Edison knows all about + it—all the details—Widding told him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said I. “My friend Miss Ryerson brought Widding to Mr. Edison a few + days ago, but—how could the Germans have known that?” + </p> + <p> + The general’s face darkened. “How do they know all sorts of things? + Somebody tells them. Somebody told them this.” + </p> + <p> + “But Widding himself knows all about his own invention. It won’t do the + Germans any good to abduct Edison unless—” + </p> + <p> + Our eyes met in sudden alarm. + </p> + <p> + “By George, you’re right!” exclaimed Wood. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Widding? Is he stopping at your hotel?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. We’re all there, Miss Ryerson and her brother and Widding and I.” + </p> + <p> + “Call up the hotel—quick. We must know about this.” + </p> + <p> + A minute later I had Miss Ryerson on the ‘phone and as soon as I heard her + voice I knew that something was wrong. + </p> + <p> + “What does she say?” asked the general anxiously, as I hung up the + receiver. + </p> + <p> + “She is very much distressed. She says Widding and her brother disappeared + from the hotel last night and no one has any idea where they are.” + </p> + <p> + Here were startling happenings and the developments were even more + startling, but, before following these threads of mystery (days passed and + they were still unravelled) I must set forth events that immediately + succeeded the rupture of peace negotiations. I have reason to know that + the Committee of Twenty-one brought pressure upon our peace commissioners, + through Washington and the public press, with the result that their + attitude stiffened towards the enemy and presently became almost defiant, + so that on October 2, 1921, all efforts towards peace were abandoned. And + on October 3 it was officially announced that the United States and + Germany were again at war. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — I WITNESS THE BATTLE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA FROM + VINCENT ASTOR’S AEROPLANE + </h2> + <p> + During the next week, in the performance of my newspaper duties, I visited + Washington and Baltimore, both of these cities being now in imminent + danger of attack, the latter from von Hindenburg’s army south of + Philadelphia, the former from the newly landed German expedition that was + encamped on the shores of Chesapeake Bay near Norfolk, Virginia, which was + already occupied by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + I found a striking contrast between the psychology of Washington and that + of Baltimore. The national capital, abandoned by its government, awaited + in dull despair the arrival of the conquerors with no thought of + resistance, but Baltimore was girding up her loins to fight. Washington, + burned by the British in 1812, had learned her lesson, but Baltimore had + never known the ravages of an invader. Proudest of southern cities, she + now made ready to stand against the Germans. Let New York and Boston and + Philadelphia surrender, if they pleased, Baltimore would not surrender. + </p> + <p> + On the night of my arrival in the Monumental City, September 15, I found + bonfires blazing and crowds thronging the streets. There was to be a great + mass meeting at the Fifth Regiment Armoury, and I shall never forget the + scene as I stood on Hoffman Street with my friend F. R. Kent, Editor of + the Baltimore <i>Sun</i>, and watched the multitude press within the + fortress-like walls. This huge grey building had seen excitement before, + as when Wilson and Bryan triumphed here at the Democratic convention of + 1912, but nothing like this. + </p> + <p> + As far as I could see down Bolton Street and Hoffman Street were dense + crowds cheering frantically as troops of the Maryland National Guard + marched past with crashing bands, the famous “Fighting Fourth” (how the + crowd cheered them!), the “Dandy Fifth,” Baltimore’s particular pride, + then the First Regiment, then the First Separate Company, coloured + infantry and finally the crack cavalry “Troop A” on their black horses, + led by Captain John C. Cockey, of whom it was said that he could make his + big hunter, Belvedere, climb the side of a house. + </p> + <p> + The immense auditorium, gay with flags and national emblems, was packed to + its capacity of 20,000, and I felt a real thrill when, after a prayer by + Cardinal Gibbons, a thousand school girls, four abreast and all in white, + the little ones first, moved slowly up the three aisles to seats in front, + singing “Onward Christian Soldiers,” with the Fifth Regiment band leading + them. + </p> + <p> + Gathered on the platform were the foremost citizens of Baltimore, the + ablest men in Maryland, including Mayor J. H. Preston, Douglas Thomas, + Frank A. Furst, U. S. Senator John Walter Smith, Hon. J. Charles + Linthicum, ex-Gov. Edwin Warfield, Col. Ral Parr, John W. Frick, John M. + Dennis, Douglas H. Gordon, John E. Hurst, Franklin P. Cator, Capt. I. E. + Emerson, Hon. Wm. Carter Page, Hon. Charles T. Crane, George C. Jenkins, + C. Wilbur Miller, Howell B. Griswold, Jr., George May, Edwin J. Farber, + Maurice H. Grape, Col. Washington Bowie, Jr., and Robert Garrett. + </p> + <p> + Announcement was made by General Alexander Brown that fifty thousand + volunteers from Baltimore and the vicinity had already joined the colours + and were in mobilisation camps at Halethrope and Pimlico and at the Glen + Burnie rifle range. Also that the Bessemer Steel Company of Baltimore, the + Maryland Steel Company, the great cotton mills and canneries, were working + night and day, turning out shrapnel, shell casings, uniforms, belts, + bandages and other munitions of war, all to be furnished without a cent of + profit. Furthermore, the banks and trust companies of Baltimore had raised + fifty million dollars for immediate needs of the defence with more to + come. + </p> + <p> + “That’s the kind of indemnity Baltimore offers to the Germans,” cried + General Brown. + </p> + <p> + Speeches attacking the plan of campaign and the competency of military + leaders were made by Charles J. Bonaparte, Leigh Bonsal and Henry W. + Williams, but their words availed nothing against the prevailing wild + enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “Baltimore has never been taken by an enemy,” shouted ex-Governor + Goldsborough, “and she will not be taken now. Our army is massed and + entrenched along the south bank of the Susquehanna and, mark my words, the + Germans will never pass that line.” + </p> + <p> + As these patriotic words rang out the thousand white-clad singers rose and + lifted their voices in “The Star Spangled Banner,” dearest of patriotic + hymns in Baltimore because it was a Baltimore man, Francis Scott Key, who + wrote it. + </p> + <p> + While the great meeting was still in session, a large German airship + appeared over Baltimore’s lower basin and, circling slowly at the height + of half a mile, proceeded to carry out its mission of frightfulness + against the helpless city. More than fifty bombs were dropped that night + with terrific explosions. The noble shaft of the Washington Monument was + shattered. The City Hall was destroyed, also the Custom House, the + Richmond Market, the Walters Art Gallery, one of the buildings of the + Johns Hopkins Hospital, with a score of killed and wounded, and the + cathedral with fifty killed and wounded. + </p> + <p> + The whole country was stirred to its depths by this outrage. Angry orators + appeared at every street corner, and volunteers stormed the enlisting + offices. Within twenty-four hours the business men of Baltimore raised + another hundred millions for the city’s defence. Baltimore, never + conquered yet, was going to fight harder than ever. + </p> + <p> + The great question now was how soon the Germans would begin their drive. + We knew that the Virginia expedition under General von Mackensen had + advanced up the peninsula and had taken Richmond, but every day our + aeroplane scouts reported General von Hindenburg’s forces as still + stationary south of Philadelphia. Their strategy seemed to be one of + waiting until the two armies could strike simultaneously against + Washington from the southeast and against Baltimore from the northeast. On + the ninth of October this moment seemed to have arrived, and we learned + that von Hindenburg, with a hundred thousand men, was advancing towards + the Susquehanna in a line that would take him straight to the Maryland + metropolis. A two days’ march beyond the river would give the enemy sight + of the towers of Baltimore, and how the city had the slightest chance of + successful resistance was more than I could understand. + </p> + <p> + I come now to the battle of the Susquehanna, which my lucky star allowed + me to witness in spite of positive orders that war correspondents should + not approach the American lines. This happened through the friendship of + Vincent Astor, who once more volunteered his machine and his own services + in the scouting aeroplane corps. I may add that Mr. Astor had offered his + entire fortune, if needed, to equip the nation with the mightiest air + force in the world; and that already four thousand craft of various types + were in process of construction. With some difficulty, Mr. Astor obtained + permission that I accompany him on the express condition that I publish no + word touching military operations until after the battle. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of October 10th we made our first flight, rising from the + aerodrome in Druid Hill Park and speeding to the northeast, skirting the + shores of Chesapeake Bay. Within half an hour the broad Susquehanna, with + its wrecked bridges, lay before us and to the left, on the heights of Port + Deposit, we made out the American artillery positions with the main army + encamped below. Along the southern bank of the river we saw thousands of + American soldiers deepening and widening trenches that had been shallowed + out by a score of trench digging machines, huge locomotive ploughs that + lumbered along, leaving yellow ditches behind them. There were miles of + these ditches cutting through farms and woods, past windmills and red + barns and rolling wheat fields, stretching away to the northwest, parallel + to the river. + </p> + <p> + “They’ve done a lot of work here,” said I, impressed by the extent of + these operations. + </p> + <p> + Astor answered with a smile that puzzled me. “They have done more than you + dream of, more than any one dreams of,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t imagine these trenches are going to stop the Germans, do you?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded slowly. “Perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “But we had trenches like these at Trenton and you know what happened,” I + objected. + </p> + <p> + “I know, but—” again that mysterious smile, “those Trenton trenches + were not exactly like these trenches. Hello! They’re signalling to us. + They want to know who we are.” + </p> + <p> + In reply to orders wig-wagged up to us from headquarters in a white + farmhouse, we flung forth our identification streamers, blue, white and + red arranged in code to form an aerial passport, and received a wave of + approval in reply. + </p> + <p> + As we swung to the northwest, moving parallel to the river and about four + miles back of it, I studied with my binoculars the trenches that stretched + along beneath us in straight lines and zigzags as far as the eye could + see. I was familiar with such constructions, having studied them on + various fields; here was the firing trench, here the shelter trench and + there the communicating galleries that joined them, but what were those + groups of men working so busily farther down the line? And those other + groups swarming at many points in the wide area? They were not digging or + bracing side-wall timbers. What were they doing? + </p> + <p> + I had the wheel at this moment and, in my curiosity, I turned the machine + to the east, forgetting Mr. Astor’s admonition that we were not allowed to + pass the rear line of trenches. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on! This is forbidden!” he cried. “We’ll get in trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Before I could act upon his warning, there came a puff of white smoke from + one of the batteries and a moment later a shell, bursting about two + hundred yards in front of us, made its message clear. + </p> + <p> + We turned at once and, after some further manoeuvring, sailed back to + Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + We dined together that night and I tried to get from Mr. Astor a key to + the mystery that evidently lay behind this situation at the Susquehanna. + At first he was unwilling to speak, but, finally, in view of our + friendship and his confidence in my discretion, he gave me a forecast of + events to come. + </p> + <p> + “You mustn’t breathe this to a soul,” he said, “and, of course, you + mustn’t write a word of it, but the fact is, dear boy, the wonderful fact + is we’re going to win the battle of the Susquehanna.” + </p> + <p> + I shook my head. “I’d give all I’ve got in the world to have that true, + Mr. Astor, but von Hindenburg is marching against us with 150,000 men, + first-class fighting men.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, and we have only 60,000 men, most of them raw recruits. Just the + same, von Hindenburg hasn’t a chance on earth.” He paused and added + quickly: “Except one.” + </p> + <p> + “One?” + </p> + <p> + “If the enemy suspected the trap we have set for them, they could avoid + it, but they won’t suspect it. It’s absolutely new.” + </p> + <p> + “How about their aeroplane scouts? Won’t they see the trap?” + </p> + <p> + “They can’t see it, at least not enough to understand it. General Wood + turned us back this afternoon as a precaution, but it wasn’t necessary. + You might have circled over those trenches for hours and I don’t believe + you would have known what’s going on there. Besides, the work will be + finished and everything hidden in a couple of days.” + </p> + <p> + I spurred my imagination, searching for agencies of destruction, and + mentioned hidden mines, powerful electric currents, deadly gases, but + Astor shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “It’s worse than that, much worse. And it isn’t one of those fantastic + things from Mars that H. G. Wells would put in a novel. This will work. + It’s a practical, businesslike way of destroying an army.” + </p> + <p> + “What? An entire army?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. There’s an area on this side of the Susquehanna about five miles + square that is ready for the Germans—plenty of room for a hundred + thousand of them—and, believe me, not one man in ten will get out of + that area alive.” + </p> + <p> + I stared incredulously as my friend went on with increasing positiveness: + “I know what I’m saying. I’ll tell you how I know it in a minute. This + thing has never been done before in the whole history of war and it will + never be done again, but it’s going to be done now.” + </p> + <p> + “Why will it never be done again?” + </p> + <p> + “Because the conditions will never be right again. Armies will be + suspicious after one has been wiped out, but the first time it’s + possible.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you be sure von Hindenburg’s army will cross the Susquehanna at + the exact place where you want it to cross?” + </p> + <p> + “They will cross at the clearly indicated place for crossing, won’t they? + That’s where we have set our trap, five miles wide, on the direct line + between Philadelphia and Baltimore. They can’t cross lower down because + the river swells into Chesapeake Bay, and if they cross higher up they + simply go out of their way. Why should they? They’re not afraid to meet + Leonard Wood’s little army, are they? They’ll come straight across the + river and then—good-night.” + </p> + <p> + This was as near as I could get to an understanding of the mystery. Astor + would tell me no more, although he knew I would die rather than betray the + secret. + </p> + <p> + “You might talk in your sleep,” he laughed. “I wish I didn’t know the + thing myself. It’s like going around with a million dollars in your + pocket.” Then he added earnestly: “There are a lot of American cranks and + members of Bryan’s peace party who wouldn’t stand for this if they knew + it.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean they would tell the Germans?” + </p> + <p> + “They would tell everybody. They’d call it barbarous, wicked. Perhaps it + is, but—we’re fighting for our lives, aren’t we? For our country?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure we are,” I agreed. + </p> + <p> + Later on Mr. Astor told me how he had come into possession of this + extraordinary military knowledge. He was one of the Committee of + Twenty-one. + </p> + <p> + The next day we flew out again to the battle front, taking care not to + advance over the proscribed area, and we scanned the northern banks of the + Susquehanna for signs of the enemy, but saw none. On the second day we had + the same experience, but on the third day, towards evening, three Taubes + approached swiftly at a great height and hovered over our lines, taking + observations, and an hour later we made out a body of German cavalry on + the distant hills. + </p> + <p> + “An advance guard of Saxons and Westphalians,” said I, studying their + flashing helmets. “There will be something doing to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + There was. The battle of the Susquehanna began at daybreak, October 14th, + 1921, with an artillery duel which grew in violence as the batteries on + either side of the river found the ranges. Aeroplanes skirmished for + positions over the opposing armies and dropped revealing smoke columns as + guides to the gunners. Hour after hour the Germans poured a terrific fire + of shells and shrapnel upon the American trenches and I wondered if they + would not destroy or disarrange our trap, but Astor said they would not. + </p> + <p> + Our inadequate artillery replied as vigorously as possible and was + supported by the old U. S. battleship <i>Montgomery</i>, manned by the + Baltimore naval brigade under Commander Ralph Robinson, which lay two + miles down the river and dropped twelve-inch shells within the enemy’s + lines. Valuable service was also rendered by heavy mobile field artillery + improvised by placing heavy coast defence mortars on strongly reinforced + railroad trucks. None of this, however, prevented the Germans from forcing + through their work of pontoon building, which had been started in the + night. Five lines of pontoons were thrown across the Susquehanna in two + days, and very early on the morning of October 14th, the crossing of + troops began. + </p> + <p> + All day from our aeroplane, circling at a height of a mile or rising to + two miles in case of danger, we looked down on fierce fighting in the + trenches and saw the Germans drive steadily forward, sweeping ahead in + close formation, mindless of heavy losses and victorious by reason of + overwhelming numbers. + </p> + <p> + By four o’clock in the afternoon they had dislodged the Americans from + their first lines of entrenchment and forced them to retreat in good order + to reserve lines five miles back of the river. Between these front lines + and the reserve lines there was a stretch of rolling farm land lined and + zigzagged with three-foot ditches used for shelter by our troops as they + fell back. + </p> + <p> + By six o’clock that evening the German army had occupied this entire area + and by half-past seven, in the glory of a gorgeous crimson sunset, we saw + the invaders capture our last lines of trenches and drive back the + Americans in full retreat, leaving the ground strewn with their own dead + and wounded. + </p> + <p> + “Now you’ll see something,” cried Astor with tightening lips as he scanned + the battlefield. “It may come at any moment. We’ve got them where we want + them. Thousands and thousands of them! Their whole army!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to the pontoon bridges where the last companies of the German + host were crossing. On the heights beyond, their artillery fire was + slackening; and on our side the American fire had ceased. Night was + falling and the Germans were evidently planning to encamp where they were. + </p> + <p> + “There are a few thousand over there with the artillery who haven’t + crossed yet,” said I. “The Crown Prince must be there with his generals.” + </p> + <p> + My friend nodded grimly. “We’ll attend to them later. Ah! Now look! It’s + coming!” + </p> + <p> + I turned and saw a thick wall of grey and black smoke rolling in dense + billows over a section of the rear trenches, and out of this leaped + tongues of blue fire and red fire. And farther down the lines I saw + similar sections of smoke and flame with open spaces between, but these + spaces closed up swiftly until presently the fire wall was continuous over + the whole extent of the rear trenches. + </p> + <p> + We could see German soldiers by hundreds rushing back from this peril; + but, as they ran, fires started at dozens of points before them in the + network of ditches and, spreading with incredible rapidity, formed flaming + barriers that shut off the ways of escape. Within a few minutes the whole + area beneath us, miles in length and width, that had been occupied by the + victorious German army, was like a great gridiron of fire or like a city + with streets and avenues and broad diagonals of fire. All the trenches and + ditches suddenly belched forth waves of black smoke with blue and red + flames darting through them, and fiercest of all burned the fire walls + close to the river bank. + </p> + <p> + “Good God!” I cried, astounded at this vast conflagration. “What is it + that’s burning?” + </p> + <p> + “Oil,” said Astor. “The whole supply from the Standard Oil pipe lines + diverted here, millions and millions of gallons. It’s driven by big pumps + through mains and pipes and reservoirs, buried deep. It’s spurting from a + hundred outlets. Nothing can put it out. Look! The river is on fire!” + </p> + <p> + I did look, but I will not tell what I saw nor describe the horrors of the + ensuing hour. By nine o’clock it was all over. The last word in + frightfulness had been spoken and the despoilers of Belgium were the + victims. + </p> + <p> + I learned later that the pipes which carried these floods of oil carried + also considerable quantities of arseniuretted hydrogen. The blue flames + that Mr. Astor and I noticed came from the fierce burning of this + arseniuretted hydrogen as it hissed from oil vents in the trenches under + the drive of powerful pumps. + </p> + <p> + Thousands of those that escaped from the fire area and tried to cross back + on the pontoons were caught and destroyed, a-midstream, by fire floods + that roared down the oil-spread Susquehanna. And about 7,000 that escaped + at the sides were made prisoners. + </p> + <p> + It was announced in subsequent estimates and not denied by the Germans + that 113,000 of the invaders lost their lives here. To all intents and + purposes von Hindenburg’s army had ceased to exist. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — GENERAL WOOD SCORES ANOTHER BRILLIANT SUCCESS AGAINST + THE CROWN PRINCE + </h2> + <p> + On the evening of October 14, 1921, Field Marshal von Kluck awaited final + news of the battle of the Susquehanna while enjoying an excellent meal + with his staff in the carved and gilded dining-room of the old S. B. + Chittenden mansion on Brooklyn Heights, headquarters of the army of + occupation. All the earlier despatches through the afternoon had been + favourable and, as the company finished their <i>Kartoffelsuppe</i>, von + Kluck had risen, amidst <i>hochs</i> of applause, and read a telegram from + his Imperial master, the Crown Prince, who, with Field Marshal von + Hindenburg, was directing the battle from Perryville on the Northern bank, + announcing that the German army had crossed the river and driven back + Leonard Wood’s forces for five miles and occupied a vast network of + American trenches. + </p> + <p> + The officers lingered over their <i>preisselbeeren compote</i> and <i>kaffeekuchen</i> + and, presently, the commander rose again, holding a telegram just + delivered by a red-faced lieutenant whose cheek was slashed with scars. + </p> + <p> + “Comrades, the great moment has come—I feel it. Our victory at the + Susquehanna means the end of American resistance, the capture of + Baltimore, Washington and the whole Atlantic seaboard. Let us drink to the + Fatherland and our place in the sun.” + </p> + <p> + Up on their feet came the fire-eating company, with lifted glasses and the + gleam of conquerors in their eyes. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Hoch! Hoch!</i>” they cried and waited, fiercely joyful, while von + Kluck opened the despatch. His shaggy brows contracted ominously as he + scanned two yellow sheets crowded with closely written German script. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Gott in Himmel!</i>” he shouted, and threw the telegram on the table. + </p> + <p> + The blow had fallen, the incredible truth was there before them. Not only + had the redoubtable von Hindenburg, idol of a nation, hero of countless + Russian victories, suffered crushing defeat, but his proud battalions had + been almost annihilated. In the whole history of warfare there had never + been so complete a disaster to so powerful an army. + </p> + <p> + “Burned to death! Our brave soldiers! Was there ever so barbarous a + crime?” raved the Field Marshal. “But the American people will pay for + this, yes, ten times over. We still have two armies on their soil and a + fleet ready to transport from Germany another army of half a million. We + hold their greatest cities, their leading citizens at our mercy, and they + shall have none. Burned in oil! <i>Mein Gott!</i> We will show them.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellency,” questioned the others anxiously, “what of his Imperial + Highness the Crown Prince?” + </p> + <p> + “Safe, thank God, and von Hindenburg is safe. They did not cross the + cursed river. They stayed on the Northern bank with the artillery and + three thousand men.” + </p> + <p> + I learned later that these three thousand of the German rear guard, + together with seven thousand that escaped from the fire zone and were made + prisoners, were all that remained alive of the 120,000 Germans that had + crossed the Susquehanna that fatal morning with flying eagles. + </p> + <p> + Orders were immediately given by von Kluck that retaliatory steps be taken + to strike terror into the hearts of the American people, and the wires + throughout New England were kept humming that night with instructions to + the commanding officers of German forces of occupation in Boston, + Hartford, New Haven, Portland, Springfield, Worcester, Newport, Fall + River, Stamford; also in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton and Philadelphia, + calling upon them to issue proclamations that, in punishment of an act of + barbarous massacre committed by General Wood and the American army, it was + hereby ordered that one-half of the hostages previously taken by the + Germans in each of these cities (the same to be chosen by lot) should be + led forth at noon on October 15th and publicly executed. + </p> + <p> + At half-past eleven, October 15th, on the Yale University campus, there + was a scene of excitement beyond words, although dumb in its tragic + expression, when William Howard Taft, who was one of the hostages drawn + for execution, finished his farewell address to the students. + </p> + <p> + “I call on you, my dear friends,” he cried with an inspired light in his + eyes, “to follow the example of our glorious ancestors, to put aside + selfishness and all base motives and rise to your supreme duty as American + citizens. Defend this dear land! Save this nation! And, if it be necessary + to die, let us die gladly for our country and our children, as those great + patriots who fought under Washington and Lincoln were glad to die for us.” + </p> + <p> + With a noble gesture he turned to the guard of waiting German soldiers. He + was ready. + </p> + <p> + Deeply moved, but helpless, the great audience of students and professors + waited in a silence of rage and shame. They would fain have hurled + themselves, unarmed, upon the gleaming line of soldiers that walled the + quadrangle, but what would that have availed? + </p> + <p> + A Prussian colonel of infantry, with many decorations on his breast, + stepped to the edge of the platform, glanced at his wrist-watch and said + in a high-pitched voice: “Gentlemen of the University, I trust you have + carefully read the proclamation of Field Marshal von Kluck. Be sure that + any disorder during the execution of hostages that is now to take place + will bring swift and terrible punishment upon the city and citizens of New + Haven. Gentlemen, I salute you.” + </p> + <p> + He turned to the guard of soldiers. “<i>Gehen!</i>” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Fertig! Hup!</i>” cried a stocky little Bavarian sergeant, and the + grim procession started. + </p> + <p> + At the four corners of the public green were companies of German soldiers + with machine-guns trained upon dense crowds of citizens who had gathered + for this gruesome ceremony, high-spirited New Englanders whose faith and + courage were now to be crushed out of them, according to von Kluck, by + this stern example. + </p> + <p> + Down Chapel Street with muffled drums came the unflinching group of + American patriots, marching between double lines of cavalry and led by a + military band. At Osborn Hall they turned to the right and moved slowly + along College Street to the Battell Chapel, where they turned again and + advanced diagonally across the green, the band playing Beethoven’s funeral + march. + </p> + <p> + In the centre of the dense throng, at a point between Trinity Church and + the old Centre Church, a firing squad of bearded Westphalians was making + ready for the last swift act of vengeance, when, suddenly, in the + direction of Elm Street near the Graduates’ Club, there came a tumult of + shouts and voices with a violent pushing and struggling in the crowd. A + messenger on a motorcycle was trying to force his way to the commanding + officer. + </p> + <p> + “Stop! Stop!” he shouted. “I’ve got a telegram for the general. Let me + through! I <i>will</i> get through!” + </p> + <p> + And at last, torn and breathless, the lad did get through and delivered + his message. It was a telegram from Field Marshal von Kluck, which read: + </p> + <p> + “Have just received a despatch from General Leonard Wood, stating that his + Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Field Marshal von Hindenburg, with + their military staffs, have been made prisoners by an American army north + of the Susquehanna, and giving warning that if retaliatory measures are + taken against American citizens, his Imperial Highness will, within + twenty-four hours, be stood up before the statue of his Imperial ancestor + Frederick the Great, in the War College at Washington, and shot to death + by a firing squad from the Pennsylvania National Guard. In consequence of + this I hereby countermand all previous orders for the execution of + American hostages. (Signed) VON KLUCK.” + </p> + <p> + Like lightning this wonderful news spread through the crowd, and in the + delirious joy that followed there was much disorder which the Germans + scarcely tried to suppress. They were stunned by the catastrophe. The + Crown Prince a prisoner! Von Hindenburg a prisoner! By what miracle of + strategy had General Wood achieved this brilliant coup? + </p> + <p> + Here were the facts, as I subsequently learned. So confident of complete + success was the American commander, that by twelve o’clock on the day of + battle he had diverted half of his forces, about 30,000 men, in a rapid + movement to the north, his purpose being to cross the Susquehanna higher + up and envelop the rear guard of the enemy, with their artillery and + commanding generals, in an overwhelming night attack. Hour after hour + through the night of October 14th a flotilla of ferry-boats, cargo-boats, + tugs, lighters, river craft of all sorts, assembled days before, had + ferried the American army across the Susquehanna as George Washington + ferried his army across the Delaware a hundred and fifty years before. + </p> + <p> + All night the Americans pressed forward in a forced march, and by daybreak + the Crown Prince and his 3,000 men were caught beyond hope of rescue, + hemmed in between the Susquehanna River and the projecting arms of + Chesapeake Bay. The surprise was complete, the disaster irretrievable, and + at seven o’clock on the morning of October 15th the heir to the German + throne and six of his generals, including Field Marshal von Hindenburg, + surrendered to the Americans the last of their forces with all their flags + and artillery and an immense quantity of supplies and ammunition. + </p> + <p> + By General Wood’s orders the mass of German prisoners were moved to + concentration camps at Gettysburg, but the Crown Prince was taken to + Washington, where he and his staff were confined with suitable honours in + the Hotel Bellevue, taken over by the government for this purpose. Here, + during the subsequent fortnight, I had the honour of seeing the + illustrious prisoner on several occasions. It seems that he remembered me + pleasantly from the New England campaign and was glad to call upon my + knowledge of American men and affairs for his own information. + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: “YOU KNOW, MARK TWAIN WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF MY FATHER’S,” + SAID THE CROWN PRINCE, “I REMEMBER HOW MY FATHER LAUGHED, ONE EVENING AT + THE PALACE IN BERLIN, WHEN MARK TWAIN TOLD US THE STORY OF ‘THE JUMPING + FROG.’”} + </p> + <p> + As to von Hindenburg’s defeat (leaving aside the question of military + ethics which he denounced scathingly) the Crown Prince said this had been + accomplished by a mere accident that could never occur again and that + could not interfere with Germany’s ultimate conquest of America. + </p> + <p> + “This will be a short-lived triumph,” declared His Imperial Highness, when + he received me in his quarters at the Bellevue, “and the American people + will pay dearly for it. The world stands aghast at the horror of this + barbarous act.” + </p> + <p> + “America is fighting for her existence,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Let her fight with the methods of civilised warfare. Germany would scorn + to gain an advantage at the expense of her national honour.” + </p> + <p> + “If Your Imperial Highness will allow me to speak of Belgium in 1914—” + I began, but he cut me short with an impatient gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Our course in Belgium was justified by special reasons—that is the + calm verdict of history.” + </p> + <p> + I refrained from arguing this point and was patient while the prince + turned the conversation on his favourite theme, the inferiority of a + democratic to an autocratic form of government. + </p> + <p> + “I have been studying the lives of your presidents,” he said, “and—really, + how can one expect them to get good results with no training for their + work and only a few years in office? Take men like Johnson, Tyler, Polk, + Hayes, Buchanan, Pierce, Filmore, Harrison, McKinley. Mediocre figures, + are they not? What do they stand for?” + </p> + <p> + “What does the average king or emperor stand for?” I ventured, whereupon + His Imperial Highness pointed proudly to the line of Hohenzollern rulers, + and I had to admit that these were exceptional men. + </p> + <p> + “The big men of America go into commercial and industrial pursuits rather + than into politics,” I explained. + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” agreed the prince, “and the republic loses their services.” + </p> + <p> + “No, the republic benefits by the general prosperity which they build up,” + I insisted. + </p> + <p> + With this the Imperial prisoner discussed the American Committee of + Twenty-one and I was astonished to find what full knowledge he had + touching their individual lives and achievements. He even knew the details + of Asa G. Candler’s soda water activities. And he told me several amusing + stories of Edison’s boyhood. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” he said abruptly, “I suppose you know that Thomas A. Edison + is a prisoner in our hands?” + </p> + <p> + “So we concluded,” said I. “Also Lemuel A. Widding.” + </p> + <p> + “Also Lemuel A. Widding,” the prince admitted. “You know why we took them + prisoners? It was on account of Widding’s invention. He thinks he has + found a way to destroy our fleet and we do not want our fleet destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally not.” + </p> + <p> + “You had a talk with Edison on the train last week. He knows all the + details of Widding’s invention?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And he believes it will do what the inventor claims? He believes it will + destroy our fleet? Did he tell you that?” + </p> + <p> + “He certainly did. He said he wouldn’t give five cents for the German + fleet after Widding’s plan is put into operation.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” reflected the Crown Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Would Your Imperial Highness allow me to ask a question?” I ventured. + </p> + <p> + His eyes met mine frankly. “Why, yes—certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no authority to ask this, but I suppose there might be an exchange + of prisoners. Edison and Widding are important to America and—“. + </p> + <p> + “You mean they might be exchanged for me?” his face grew stern. “I would + not hear of it. Those two Americans alone have the secret of this Widding + invention, I am sure of that, and it is better for the Fatherland to get + along without a Crown Prince than without a fleet. No. We shall keep Mr. + Edison and Mr. Widding prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + He said this with all the dignity of his Hohenzollern ancestry; then he + rose to end the interview. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — THIRD BATTLE OF BULL RUN WITH AEROPLANES CARRYING + LIQUID CHLORINE + </h2> + <p> + I now come to those memorable weeks of November, 1921, which rank among + the most important in American history. There was first the battle that + had been preparing south of the Potomac between von Mackensen’s advancing + battalions and General Wood’s valiant little army. This might be called + the third battle of Bull Run, since it was fought near Manassas where + Beauregard and Lee won their famous victories. + </p> + <p> + Although General Wood’s forces numbered only 60,000 men, more than half of + them militia, and although they were matched against an army of 150,000 + Germans, the American commander had two points of advantage, his ten miles + of entrenchments stretching from Remington to Warrenton along the steep + slopes of the Blue Ridge mountains, and his untried but formidable + preparations for dropping liquid chlorine from a fleet of aeroplanes upon + an attacking army. + </p> + <p> + In order to reach Washington the Germans must traverse the neck of land + that lies between the mountains and the Potomac’s broad arms. Here clouds + of greenish death from heaven might or might not overwhelm them. That was + the question to be settled. It was a new experiment in warfare. + </p> + <p> + I should explain that during previous months, thanks to the efficiency of + the Committee of Twenty-one, great quantities of liquid chlorine had been + manufactured at Niagara Falls, where the Niagara Alkali Company, the + National Electrolytic Company, the Oldburg Electro-Chemical Company, the + Castner Electrolytic Alkali Company, the Hooker Electro-Chemical Company + and several others, working night and day and using 60,000 horsepower from + the Niagara power plants and immense quantities of salt from the salt-beds + in Western New York, had been able to produce 30,000 tons of liquid + chlorine. And the Lackawanna Steel Company at Buffalo, in its immense tube + plant, finished in 1920, had turned out half a million thin steel + containers, torpedo-shaped, each holding 150 pounds of the deadly liquid. + This was done under the supervision of a committee of leading chemists, + including: Milton C. Whitaker, Arthur D. Little, Dr. L. H. Baekeland, + Charles F. McKenna, John E. Temple and Dr. Henry Washington. + </p> + <p> + And a fleet of military aeroplanes had been made ready at the immense + Wright and Curtiss factories on Grand Island in the Niagara River and at + the Packard, Sturtevant, Thomas and Gallaudet factories, where a force of + 20,000 men had been working night and day for weeks under government + supervision. There were a hundred huge tractors with double fuselage and a + wing spread of 200 feet, driven by four 500 horse-power motors. Each one + of these, besides its crew, could carry three tons of chlorine from Grand + Island to Washington (their normal rate of flying was 120 miles an hour) + in three hours against a moderate wind. + </p> + <p> + I visited aviation centers where these machines were delivered for tests, + and found the places swarming with armies of men training and inspecting + and testing the aeroplanes. + </p> + <p> + Among aviators busy at this work were: Charles F. Willard, J. A. D. + McCurdy, Walter R. Brookins, Frank T. Coffyn, Harry N. Atwood, Oscar Allen + Brindley, Leonard Warren Bonney, Charles C. Witmer, Harold H. Brown, John + D. Cooper, Harold Kantner, Clifford L. Webster, John H. Worden, Anthony + Jannus, Roy Knabenshue, Earl S. Dougherty, J. L. Callan, T. T. Maroney, R. + E. McMillen, Beckwith Havens, DeLloyd Thompson, Sidney F. Beckwith, George + A. Gray, Victor Carlstrom, Chauncey M. Vought, W. C. Robinson, Charles F. + Niles, Frank H. Burnside, Theodore C. Macaulay, Art Smith, Howard M. + Rinehart, Albert Sigmund Heinrich, P. C. Millman, Robert Fowler. + </p> + <p> + In the balloon training camps, I noticed some old-time balloonists, + including: J. C. McCoy, A. Leo Stevens, Frank P. Lahm, Thomas S. Baldwin, + A. Holland Forbes, Charles J. Glidden, Charles Walsh, Carl G. Fisher, Wm. + F. Whitehouse, George B. Harrison, Jay B. Benton, J. Walter Flagg, John + Watts, Roy F. Donaldson, Ralph H. Upson, R. A. D. Preston and Warren + Rasor. + </p> + <p> + Five days before the battle the hundred great carriers began delivering + their deadly loads on the heights of Arlington, south of the Potomac, each + aeroplane making three trips from Niagara Falls every twenty-four hours, + which meant that on the morning of November 5, 1921, when the German + legions came within range of Leonard Wood’s field artillery, there were + 5,000 tons of liquid chlorine ready to be hurled down from the aerial + fleet. And it was estimated that the carriers would continue to deliver a + thousand tons a day from Grand Island as long as the deadly stuff was + needed. + </p> + <p> + The actual work of dropping these chlorine bombs upon the enemy was + entrusted to another fleet of smaller aeroplanes gathered from all parts + of the country, most of them belonging to members of the Aero Club of + America who not only gave their machines but, in many cases, offered their + services as pilots or gunners for the impending air battle. + </p> + <p> + “What is the prospect?” I asked Henry Woodhouse, chief organiser of these + aeroplane forces, on the day before the fight. + </p> + <p> + He was white and worn after days of overwork, but he spoke hopefully. + </p> + <p> + “We have chlorine enough,” he said, “but we need more attacking + aeroplanes. We’ve only about forty squadrons with twelve aeroplanes to a + squadron and most of our pilots have never worked in big air manoeuvres. + It’s a great pity. Ah, look there! If they were all like Bolling’s + squadron!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed toward the heights back of Remington where a dozen bird + machines were sweeping through the sky in graceful evolutions. + </p> + <p> + “What Bolling is that?” + </p> + <p> + “Raynal C.—the chap that organised the first aviation section of the + New York National Guard. Ah! See those boys turn! That’s Boiling at the + head of the ‘V,’ with James E. Miller, George von Utassy, Fairman Dick, + Jerome Kingsbury, William Boulding, 3rd, and Lorbert Carolin. They’ve got + Sturtevant steel battle planes—given by Mrs. Bliss—yes, Mrs. + William H. Bliss. She’s one of the patron saints of the Aero Club.” + </p> + <p> + We strolled among the hangars and Mr. Woodhouse presented me to several + aeroplane squadron commanders, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Robert Bacon, Godfrey + Lowell Cabot, Russell A. Alger, Robert Glendinning, George Brokaw, Clarke + Thomson, Cortlandt F. Bishop; also to Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, Archer + M. Huntington, J. Stuart Blackton, and Albert B. Lambert, who had just + come in from a scouting and map-making flight over the German lines. These + gentlemen agreed that America’s chances the next day would be excellent if + we only had more attacking aeroplanes, about twice as many, so that we + could overwhelm the enemy with a rain of chlorine shells. + </p> + <p> + “I believe three hundred more aeroplanes would give us the victory,” + declared Alan R. Hawley, ex-president of the Aero Club. + </p> + <p> + “Think of it,” mourned August Belmont. “We could have had a thousand + aeroplanes so easily—two thousand for the price of one battleship. + And now—to-morrow—three hundred aeroplanes might save this + nation.” + </p> + <p> + Cornelius Vanderbilt nodded gloomily. “The lack of three hundred + aeroplanes may cost us the Atlantic seaboard. These aeroplanes would be + worth a million dollars apiece to us and we can’t get ‘em.” + </p> + <p> + “The fifty aeroplanes of the Post Office are mighty useful,” observed + Ex-Postmaster-General Frank H. Hitchcock to Postmaster-General Burleson. + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t the fault of you gentlemen,” said Emerson McMillin, “if we did + not have five thousand aeroplanes in use for mail carrying, and coast + guard and life-saving services.” + </p> + <p> + This remark was appreciated by some of the men in the group, including + Alexander Graham Bell, Admiral Peary, Henry A. Wise Wood, Henry Woodhouse, + Albert B. Lambert, and Byron R. Newton, head of the Coast Guard and Life + Saving Service. For years they had all made supreme but unavailing efforts + to make Congress realize the value of an aeroplane reserve which could be + employed every day for peaceful purposes and would be available in case of + need. + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand aeroplanes could have been put in use for carrying mail and + express matter and in the Coast Guard,” said Mr. McMillin, “and with them + we could have been in the position of the porcupine, which goes about its + peaceful pursuits, harms no one, but is ever ready to defend itself. Had + we had them in use, this war would probably never have taken place.” + </p> + <p> + A little later, as we were supping in a farmhouse, there came a great + shouting outside and, rushing to doors and windows, we witnessed a + miracle, if ever there was one. There, spread across the heavens from west + and south, sweeping toward us, in proud alignment, squadron by squadron—there + was the answer to our prayers, a great body of aeroplanes waving the stars + and stripes in the glory of the setting sun. + </p> + <p> + “Who are they? Where do they come from?” we marvelled, and, presently, as + the sky strangers came to earth like weary birds, a great cry arose: + “Santos Dumont! Santos Dumont!” + </p> + <p> + It was indeed the great Santos, the famous Brazilian sportsman, and + president of the Aeronautical Federation of the Western Hemisphere, who + had come thus opportunely to cast his fortunes with tortured America and + fight for the maintenance of the Monroe Doctrine. With him came the + Peruvian aviator, Bielovucci, first to fly across the Alps (1914), and + Señor Anassagasti, president of the Aero Club Argentino, and also four + hundred aeroplanes with picked crews from all parts of South America. + </p> + <p> + There was great rejoicing that evening at General Wood’s headquarters over + this splendid support given to America by her sister republics. + </p> + <p> + “It looks now as if we have a chance,” said Brigadier General Robert K. + Evans. “The Germans will attack at daybreak and—by the way, what’s + the matter with our wireless reports?” He peered out into the night which + was heavily overcast—not a star in sight. He was looking toward the + radio station a mile back on the crest of a hill where the lone pine tree + stood that supported the transmission wires. + </p> + <p> + “Looks like rain,” decided the general. “Hello! What’s that?” + </p> + <p> + Plainly through purplish black clouds we caught the shrill buzz of + swift-moving aeroplanes. + </p> + <p> + “Good lord!” cried Roy D. Chapin, chief inspector of aircraft. “The + Germans! I know their engine sounds. Searchlights! Quick!” + </p> + <p> + Alas! Our searchlights proved useless against the thick haze that had now + spread about us; they only revealed distant dim shapes that shot through + the darkness and were gone. + </p> + <p> + “We must go after those fellows,” muttered General Evans, and he detailed + William Thaw, Norman Prince and Elliot Cowdin, veterans of many sky + battles in France and Belgium, to go aloft and challenge the intruders. + </p> + <p> + This incident kept the camp in an uproar half the night. It turned out + that the strange aeroplanes had indeed been sent out by the Germans, but + for hours we did not discover what their mission was. They dropped no + bombs, they made no effort to attack us, but simply circled around and + around through the impenetrable night, accomplishing nothing, so far as we + could see, except that they were incredibly clever in avoiding the pursuit + of our airmen. + </p> + <p> + “They are flying at great speed,” calculated A. F. Zahm, the aerodynamic + expert of the Smithsonian Institution, “but I don’t see what their purpose + is.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve got it,” suddenly exclaimed John Hays Hammond, Jr. “They’ve sprung a + new trick. Their machines carry powerful radio apparatus and they’re + cutting off our wireless.” + </p> + <p> + “By wave interference?” asked Dr. Zahm. + </p> + <p> + “Of course. It’s perfectly simple. I’ve done it at Gloucester.” He turned + to General Evans. “Now, sir, you see why we’ve had no wireless reports + from our captive balloon.” + </p> + <p> + This mention of the captive balloon brought to mind the peril of Payne + Whitney, who was on lookout duty in the balloon near the German lines, and + who might now be cut off by enemy aircraft, since he could not use his + wireless to call for help. I can only state briefly that this danger was + averted and Whitney’s life saved by the courage and prompt action of + Robert J. Collier and Larry Waterbury, who flew through the night to the + rescue of their friend with a supporting air squadron and arrived just in + time to fight off a band of German raiders. + </p> + <p> + I deeply regret that I must record these thrilling happenings in such bald + and inadequate words and especially that my pen is quite unequal to + describing that strangest of battles which I witnessed the next day from + the heights back of Remington. Never was there a more thrilling sight than + the advance of this splendid body of American and South American + aeroplanes, flying by squadrons in long V’s like flocks of huge birds, + with a terrifying snarling of propellers. To right and left they + manoeuvred, following wireless orders from headquarters that were executed + by the various squadron commanders whose aeroplanes would break out + bunting from time to time for particular signals. + </p> + <p> + So overwhelming was the force of American flyers, all armed with machine + guns, that the Germans scarcely disputed the mastery of the air, and about + seventy of their old-fashioned eagle type biplanes were soon destroyed. + Our total losses here were only eleven machines, but these carried + precious lives, some of our bravest and most skilful amateur airmen, + Norman Cabot, Charles Jerome Edwards, Harold F. McCormick, James A. Blair, + Jr., B. B. Lewis, Percy Pyne, 2nd, Eliot Cross, Roy D. Chapin, Logan A. + Vilas and Bartlett Arkell. + </p> + <p> + I turned to my friend Hart O. Berg, the European aeroplane expert, and + remarked that we seemed to be winning, but he said little, simply frowned + through his binoculars. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you think so?” I persisted. + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” he answered. “There’s something queer about this. Why should the + Germans have such an inferior aircraft force? Where are all their + wonderful Fokker machines?” + </p> + <p> + “You mean—” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that this battle isn’t over yet. Ah! Look! We’re getting our work + in with that chlorine.” + </p> + <p> + It was indeed true. With the control of the skies assured us, our fleet of + liquid gas carriers had now gone into action and at many points we saw the + heavy poison clouds spreading over the enemy hosts like a yellow green + sea. The battle of chlorine had begun. The war of chemistry was raining + down out of the skies. It is certain that nothing like this had ever been + seen before. There had been chlorine fighting in the trenches out of + squirt gun apparatus—plenty of that in 1915, with a few score killed + or injured, but here it came down by tons over a whole army, this devilish + stuff one breath of which deep into the lungs smote a man down as if dead. + </p> + <p> + The havoc thus wrought in the German ranks was terrific; especially as + General Wood took advantage of the enemy’s distress to sweep their lines + with fierce artillery fire from his batteries on the heights. + </p> + <p> + “We’ve got them going,” said I. + </p> + <p> + Berg shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet.” + </p> + <p> + If General Wood had been able to hurl his army forward in a desperate + charge at this moment of German demoralisation it is possible we might + have gained a victory, but the risks were too heavy. The American forces + were greatly outnumbered and to send them into those chlorine-swept areas + was to bring the enemy’s fate upon them. Wood must hold his men upon the + heights until our artillery and poison gas attack had practically won the + day. Then a final charge might clinch matters—that was the plan, but + it worked out differently, for, after their first demoralisation, the + enemy learned to avoid the descending danger by running from it. They + could avoid the slowly spreading chlorine clouds by seeking higher ground + and, presently, they regained a great measure of their confidence and + courage and swept forward in furious fresh attacks. + </p> + <p> + Even so the Americans fought for hours with every advantage and our + artillery did frightful execution. At three o’clock I sent off a cable to + the <i>Times</i> that General Wood’s prospects were excellent, but at + half-past four our supply of liquid chlorine was exhausted and news came + from Niagara Falls that a German spy on Grand Island had blown up the + great chlorine supply tank containing 20,000 tons. And the Niagara + power-plants had been wrecked by dynamite. + </p> + <p> + Still the Americans fought on gallantly, desperately, knowing that + everything was at stake, and our aeroplanes, with their batteries of + machine guns, gave effective assistance. Superiority in numbers, however, + soon made itself felt and at five o’clock the Germans, relieved from the + chlorine menace, advanced their heavy artillery and began a terrific + bombardment of our trenches. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” exclaimed Berg suddenly. “What’s that coming?” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to the northeast, where we made out a group of swiftly + approaching aeroplanes, flying in irregular order. We watched them alight + safely near General Wood’s headquarters, all but one marked “Women of + 1915,” which was hit by an anti-aircraft gun, as it came to earth, and + settled down with a broken wing and some injuries to the pilot, Miss Ethel + Barrymore, and the observer, Mrs. Charles S. Whitman, wife of Senator + Whitman. + </p> + <p> + This was but one demonstration of the heroism of our women. Thousands had + volunteered their services as soon as the war broke out and many, finding + that public sentiment was against having women in the ranks, learned to + fly and to operate radio apparatus and were admitted in these branches of + the service. Among the women who volunteered were hundreds of members of + the Women’s Section of the Movement for National Preparedness, including + members of the Council of Women, Daughters of American Revolution, Ladies + of the G. A. R. (National and Empire State), United Daughters of the + Confederacy, Association Opposed to Woman’s Suffrage, Civic Federation + Woman’s Department, Society United States Daughters of 1812, Woman’s + Rivers and Harbors Congress, Congress of Mothers, Daughters of Cincinnati, + Daughters of the Union, Daughters of the Revolution, and National Special + Aid Society. + </p> + <p> + These organisations of American women not only supplied a number of + skilled aeroplane pilots, but they were of material help in strengthening + the fighting forces, as well as in general relief work. + </p> + <p> + As the shadows of night approached we were startled by the sudden sweep + across the sky of a broad yellow searchlight beam, lifted and lowered + repeatedly, while a shower of Roman candles added vehemence to the signal. + </p> + <p> + “Something has happened. They’ve brought important news,” cried my friend, + whereupon we hurried to headquarters and identified most of the machines + as separate units in Rear Admiral Peary’s aero-radio system of coast + defence, while two of them, piloted by Ralph Pulitzer (wounded) and W. K. + Vanderbilt, belonged to Emerson McMillin’s reefing-wings scouting + squadron. + </p> + <p> + We listened eagerly to the reports of pilots and gunners from these + machines, Marion McMillin, W. Redmond Cross, Harry Payne Whitney + (wounded), William Ziegler, Jr., Alexander Blair Thaw, W. Averill + Harriman, Edwin Gould, Jr. (wounded), and learned that a powerful fleet of + enemy aircraft, at least 500, had been sighted over Chesapeake Bay and + were flying swiftly to the support of the Germans. These aeroplanes had + started from a base near Atlantic City and would arrive within half an + hour. + </p> + <p> + A council of war was held immediately and, acting on the advice of + aeroplane experts, General Wood ordered the withdrawal of our land and air + forces. It would be madness to attempt further resistance. Our army was + hopelessly outnumbered, our chlorine supply was gone, our air fleet, after + flying all day, was running short of gasoline and its weary pilots were in + no condition to withstand the attack of a fresh German fleet. At all costs + we must save our aeroplanes, for without them the little remnant of our + army would be blind. + </p> + <p> + This was the beginning of the end. We had done our best and failed. At six + o’clock orders were given that the whole American army prepare for a night + retreat into the remote fastnesses of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We had + made our last stand east of the Alleghenies and fell back heavy-hearted, + leaving the invaders in full possession of our Atlantic seaboard. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — THE AWAKENING OF AMERICA + </h2> + <p> + There followed dark days for America. Washington was taken by the enemy, + but not until our important prisoners, the Crown Prince and von + Hindenburg, had been hurried to Chicago. Baltimore was taken. Everything + from Maine to Florida and all the Gulf ports were taken. + </p> + <p> + Add to this a widespread spirit of disorder and disunion, strikes and + rioting in many cities, dynamite outrages, violent addresses of demagogues + and labour leaders, pleas for peace at any price by misguided fanatics who + were ready to reap the whirlwind they had sown. These were days when men + of brain and courage, patriots of the nation with the spirit of ‘76 in + them, almost despaired of the future. + </p> + <p> + Through all this storm and darkness, amid dissension and violence, one man + stood firm for the right, one wise big-souled man, the President of the + United States. In a clamour of tongues he heard the still small voice + within and laboured prodigiously to build up unity and save the nation. + Like Lincoln, he was loved and honoured even by his enemies. + </p> + <p> + It was my privilege to hear the great speech which the President of the + United States delivered in Chicago, November 29, 1921, a date which + Theodore Roosevelt has called the most memorable in American history. The + immense auditorium on the lake front, where once were the Michigan Central + tracks, was packed to suffocation. It is estimated that 40,000 men and + women, representing every state and organisation in the Union, heard this + impassioned appeal for the nation, that will live in American history + along with Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. + </p> + <p> + The President spoke first and did not remain to hear the other orators, as + he was leaving for Milwaukee, where he hoped to relieve a dangerous, + almost a revolutionary situation. He had been urged not to set foot in + this breeding place of sedition, but he replied that the citizens of + Milwaukee were his fellow countrymen, his brothers. They were dear to him. + They needed him. And he would not fail them. + </p> + <p> + In spite of this stirring cry from the heart, the audience seemed but + mildly affected and allowed the President to depart with only perfunctory + applause. There was no sign of success for his plea that the nation rouse + itself from its lethargy and send its sons unselfishly in voluntary + enlistment to drive the enemy from our shores. And there were resentful + murmurs when the President warned his hearers that compulsory military + service might be inevitable. + </p> + <p> + “Why shall the poor give their lives to save the rich?” answered Charles + Edward Russell, speaking for the socialists. “What have the rich ever done + for the poor except to exploit them and oppress them? Why should the + proletariat worry about the frontiers between nations? It’s only a + question which tyrant has his heel on our necks. No! The labouring men of + America ask you to settle for them and for their children the frontiers + between poverty and riches. That’s what they’re ready to fight for, a fair + division of the products of toil, and, by God, they’re going to have it!” + </p> + <p> + One feature of the evening was a stirring address by the beautiful + Countess of Warwick, prominent in the feminist movement, who had come over + from England to speak for the Women’s World Peace Federation. + </p> + <p> + “Women of America,” said the Countess, “I appeal to you to save this + nation from further horrors of bloodshed. Rise up in the might of your + love and your womanhood and end this wholesale murder. Remember the great + war in Europe! What did it accomplish? Nothing except to fill millions of + graves with brave sons and beloved husbands. Nothing except to darken + millions of homes with sorrow. Nothing except to spread ruin and + desolation everywhere. Are you going to allow this ghastly business to be + repeated here? + </p> + <p> + “Women of America, I bring you greetings from the women of England, the + women of France, the women of Germany, who have joined this great pacifist + movement and whose voices sounding by millions can no longer be stifled. + Let the men hear and heed our cry. We say to them: ‘Stop! Our rights on + this earth equal yours. We gave you birth, we fed you at the breast, we + guarded your tender years, and we notify you now that you shall no longer + kill and maim our husbands, our sons, our fathers, our brothers, our + lovers. It is in the power of women to drive war’s hell from the earth + and, whatever the cost, we are going to do it.’” + </p> + <p> + “No! No!” came a tumult of cries from all parts of the hall. + </p> + <p> + “We believe in fighting to the last for our national existence,” cried + Mrs. John A. Logan, waving her hand, whereupon hundreds of women patriots, + Daughters of the American Revolution, suffrage and anti-suffrage leaders, + members of the Navy League, Red Cross workers, sprang to their feet and + screamed their enthusiasm for righteous war. + </p> + <p> + Among these I recognised Mrs. John A. Logan, Miss Mabel Boardman, Mrs. + Lindon Bates, Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, Mrs. Seymour L. Cromwell, Miss Alice + Hill Chittenden, Mrs. Oliver Herford, Mrs. Hobart Chatfield-Taylor, Mrs. + John Temple Graves, Mrs. Edwin Gould, Mrs. George Dewey, Mrs. William + Cumming Story, Mrs. George Harvey, Mrs. Thomas A. Edison, Mrs. William C. + Potter, Miss Marie Van Vorst, Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge, Mrs. George J. Gould, + Mrs. T. J. Oakley Rhinelander, Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt, Mrs. John Jacob + Astor, Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt, Mrs. M. Orme Wilson, Mrs. Simon Baruch, + Mrs. Oliver Herford, Mrs. Wm. Reynolds Brown, and Mrs. Douglas Robinson. + </p> + <p> + When this storm had subsided, Henry Ford rose to renew the pacifist + attack. + </p> + <p> + “It shocks and grieves me,” he began, “to find American women openly + advocating the killing of human beings.” + </p> + <p> + “Where would your business be,” yelled a voice in the gallery, “if George + Washington hadn’t fought the War of the Revolution?” + </p> + <p> + This sally called forth such frantic cheers that Mr. Ford was unable to + make himself heard and sat down in confusion. + </p> + <p> + Other speakers were Jane Addams, Hudson Maxim, Bernard Ridder and William + Jennings Bryan. The audience sat listless as the old arguments and + recriminations, the old facts and fallacies, were laid before them. Like + the nation, they seemed plunged in a stupor of indifference. They were + asleep. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly fell the bomb from heaven. It was during the mild applause + following Mr. Bryan’s pacifist appeal, that I had a premonition of some + momentous happening. I was in the press gallery quite near to Theodore + Roosevelt, the next speaker, who was seated at the end of the platform, + busy with his notes, when a messenger came out from behind the stage and + handed the Colonel a telegram. As he read it I saw a startling change. + Roosevelt put aside his notes and a strange tense look came into his eyes + and, presently, when he rose to speak, I saw that his usually ruddy face + was ashen grey. + </p> + <p> + As Roosevelt rose, another messenger thrust a wet, ink-stained newspaper + into his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, and in his first words there was a sense + of impending danger, “for reasons of the utmost importance I shall not + deliver the speech that I have prepared. I have a brief message, a very + grave message, that will reach your hearts more surely than any words of + mine. The deliberations of this great gathering have been taken out of our + hands. We have nothing more to discuss, for Almighty God has spoken! + </p> + <p> + “My friends, the great man who was with us but now, the President of the + United States, has been assassinated.” + </p> + <p> + No words can describe the scene that followed. A moment of smiting + silence, then madness, hysteria, women fainting, men clamouring and + cursing, and finally a vast upsurging of quickened souls, as the organ + pealed forth: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and forty thousand Americans + rose and sang their hearts out. + </p> + <p> + Then, in a silence of death, Roosevelt spoke again: + </p> + <p> + “Listen to the last words of the President of the United States: ‘<i>The + Union! The Flag!</i>’ That is what he lived for and died for, that is what + he loved. ‘<i>The Union! The Flag!</i>’ + </p> + <p> + “My friends, they say patriotism is dead in this land. They say we are + eaten up with love of money, tainted with a yellow streak that makes us + afraid to fight. It’s a lie! I am ready to give every dollar I have in the + world to help save this nation and it’s the same with you men. Am I + right?” + </p> + <p> + A roar of shouts and hysterical yells shook the building. + </p> + <p> + “I am sixty years old, but I’ll fight in the trenches with my four sons + beside me and you men will do the same. Am I right?” + </p> + <p> + Again came a roar that could be heard across Chicago. + </p> + <p> + “We all make mistakes. I do nothing but make mistakes, but I’m sorry. I + have said hard things about public men, especially about German-Americans, + but I’m sorry.” + </p> + <p> + With a noble gesture he turned to Bernard Ridder, who sprang to meet him, + his eyes blazing with loyalty. + </p> + <p> + “There are no German-Americans!” shouted Ridder. “We’re all Americans! + Americans!” + </p> + <p> + He clasped Roosevelt’s hand while the audience shouted its delight. + </p> + <p> + Quick on his feet came Charles Edward Russell, fired with the same + resistless patriotism. + </p> + <p> + “There are no more socialists!” he cried. “No more proletariat! We’re all + Americans! We’ll all fight for the Union and the old flag! <i>You too!</i>” + </p> + <p> + He turned to William Jennings Bryan, who rose slowly and with outstretched + hands faced his adversaries. + </p> + <p> + “I, too, have made mistakes and I am sorry. I, too, feel the grandeur of + those noble words spoken by that great patriot who has sent us his last + message. I, too, will stand by the flag in this time of peril and will + spare neither my life nor my fortune so long as the invader’s foot rests + on the soil of free America.” + </p> + <p> + “Americans!” shouted Roosevelt, the sweat streaming from his face. “Look!” + He caught Bryan by one arm and Russell by the other. “See how we stand + together. All the rest is forgotten. Americans! Brothers! On your feet + everybody! Yell it out to the whole land, to the whole world, America is + awake! Thank God, America is awake!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. — ON CHRISTMAS EVE BOSTON THEILLS THE NATION WITH AN + ACT OF MAGNIFICENT HEROISM + </h2> + <p> + Now all over America came a marvellous spiritual awakening. The sacrifice + of the President’s noble life, and his wife’s thrilling effort to shield + her husband, was not in vain. Once more the world knew the resistless + power of a martyr’s death. Women and men alike were stirred to warlike + zeal and a joy in national sacrifice and service. The enlistment officers + were swamped with a crush of young and old, eager to join the colours; and + within three days following the President’s assassination a million + soldiers were added to the army of defence and a million more were turned + away. It was no longer a question how to raise a great American army, but + how to train and equip it, and how to provide it with officers. + </p> + <p> + Most admirable was the behaviour of the great body of German-Americans; in + fact it was a German-American branch of the American Defence Society, + financed in America, that started the beautiful custom, which became + universal, of wearing patriotic buttons bearing the sacred words: <i>“The + Union! The Flag!”</i> + </p> + <p> + “It was one thing,” wrote Bernard Ridder in the Chicago <i>Staats-Zeitung</i>, + “for German-Americans to side with Germany in the great European war + (1914-1919) when only our sympathies were involved. It is quite a + different thing for us now in a war that involves our homes and our + property, all that we have in the world. When Germany attacks America, she + attacks German-Americans, she attacks us in our material interests, in our + fondest associations; and we will resist her just as in 1776 the American + colonists, who were really English, resisted England, the mother country, + when she attacked them in the same way.” + </p> + <p> + I was impressed by the truth of this statement during a visit that I made + to Milwaukee, where I found greatly improved conditions. In fact, + German-Americans themselves were bringing to light the activities of + German spies and vigorously opposing German propaganda. + </p> + <p> + In Allentown, Pennsylvania, which has a large German population, I heard + of a German-American mother named Roth, who was so zealous in her loyalty + to the United States that she rose at five o’clock on the day following + the President’s assassination and enlisted her three sons before they were + out of bed. + </p> + <p> + In Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Cleveland and other cities women + volunteered by thousands as postmen, street-car conductors, elevator + operators and for service in factories and business houses, so as to + release the men for military service. Chicago newspapers printed pictures + of Mrs. Harold F. McCormick, Mrs. J. Ogden Armour, Mrs. J. Clarence + Webster and other prominent society women in blue caps and improvised + uniforms, ringing up fares on the Wabash Avenue cars for the sake of the + example they would set to others. + </p> + <p> + In San Francisco, Denver, Portland, Oregon, Omaha, and Salt Lake City a + hundred thousand women, at gatherings of women’s clubs and organisations, + formally joined the Women’s National War Economy League and pledged + themselves as follows: + </p> + <p> + “We, the undersigned American women, in this time of national need and + peril, do hereby promise: + </p> + <p> + “(1) To buy no jewelry or useless ornaments for one year and to contribute + the amount thus saved (from an average estimated allowance) to the Women’s + National War Fund. + </p> + <p> + “(2) To buy only two hats a year, the value of said hats not to exceed ten + dollars, and to contribute the amount thus saved (from an average + estimated allowance) to the Women’s National War Fund. + </p> + <p> + “(3) To buy only two dresses a year, the value of said dresses not to + exceed sixty dollars, and to contribute the amount thus saved (from an + average estimated allowance) to the Women’s National War Fund. + </p> + <p> + “(4) To forego all entertaining at restaurants, all formal dinner and + luncheon parties and to contribute the amount thus saved (from an average + estimated allowance) to the Women’s National War Fund. + </p> + <p> + “(5) To abstain from cocktails, highballs and all expensive wines, also + from cigarettes, to influence husbands, fathers, brothers, sons and men + friends to do the same, and to contribute the amount thus saved to the + Women’s National War Fund. + </p> + <p> + “(6) To keep this pledge until the invader has been driven from the soil + of free America.” + </p> + <p> + I may mention that Mrs. Harriot Stanton Blatch, in urging her sister women + at various mass meetings to sign this pledge, made the impressive estimate + that, by practising these economies during a two years’ war, a hundred + thousand well-to-do American women might save a <i>thousand million + dollars</i>. + </p> + <p> + Other American women, under the leadership of Mrs. Mary Logan Tucker, + daughter of General John A. Logan, prepared themselves for active field + service at women’s military camps, in several states, where they were + instructed in bandage making, first-aid service, signalling and the use of + small arms. + </p> + <p> + As weeks passed the national spirit grew stronger, stimulated by rousing + speeches of Roosevelt, Russell and Bryan and fanned into full flame by + Boston’s immortal achievement on December 24, 1921. On that day, by + authorisation of General von Beseler, commanding the German force of + occupation, a great crowd had gathered on Boston Common for a Christmas + tree celebration with a distribution of food and toys for the poor of the + city. In the Public Gardens near the statue of George Washington, Billy + Sunday was making an address when suddenly, on the stroke of five, the + bell in the old Park Street church and then the bells in all the churches + of Boston began to toll. + </p> + <p> + It was a signal for an uprising of the people and was answered in a way + that will fill a proud page of American history so long as human courage + and love of liberty are honoured upon earth. In an instant every telephone + wire in the city went dead, leaving the Germans cut off from communication + among themselves. All traffic and business ceased as if by magic, all + customary activities were put aside and, with the first clangour of the + bells, the whole population poured into the streets and surged towards + Boston Common by converging avenues, singing as they went. + </p> + <p> + Already a hundred thousand citizens were packed within this great + enclosure, and guarding them were three thousand German, foot soldiers and + a thousand horsemen in formidable groups, with rifles and machine guns + ready—before the State House, before the Soldiers’ Monument, along + Tremont Street and Boylston Street and at other strategic points. Never in + the history of the world had an unarmed, untrained mob prevailed over such + a body of disciplined troops. The very thought was madness. And yet— + </p> + <p> + Hark! That roar of voices in the Public Gardens! What is it? A band + playing in the distance? Who ordered a band to play? German officers shout + harsh commands. “Back!” “Stand back!” “Stop this pushing of the crowd!” “<i>Mein + Gott!</i> Those women and children will be trampled by the horses!” + </p> + <p> + Alas, that is true! Once more the cause of American liberty requires that + Boston Common be hallowed by American blood. The people of this New + England city are tired of German rule. They want their city for themselves + and are going to take it. Guns or not, soldiers or not, they are going to + take their city. + </p> + <p> + Listen! They are coming! Six hundred thousand strong in dense masses that + choke every thoroughfare from wall to wall the citizens of Boston, women + and children with the men, are coming! And singing! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Hurrah! Hurrah! We sound the jubilee! + Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that set us free.” + </pre> + <p> + They are practically unarmed, although some of the men carry shot-guns, + pistols, rifles, clubs, stones; but they know these will avail little + against murderous machine guns. They know they must find strength in their + weakness and overwhelm the enemy by the sheer weight of their bodies. They + must stun the invaders by their willingness to die. That is the only real + power of this Boston host, their sublime willingness to die. + </p> + <p> + It is estimated that five thousand of them did die, and ten thousand were + wounded, in the first half hour after the German machine guns opened fire. + And still the Americans came on in a shouting, surging multitude, a solid + sea of bodies with endless rivers of bodies pouring in behind them. It is + not so easy to kill forty acres of human bodies, even with machine guns! + </p> + <p> + Endlessly the Americans came on, hundreds falling, thousands replacing + them, until presently the Germans ceased firing, either in horror at this + incredible sacrifice of life or because their ammunition was exhausted. + What chance was there for German ammunition carts to force their way + through that struggling human wall? What chance for the fifteen hundred + German reserves in Franklin Park to bring relief to their comrades? + </p> + <p> + At eight o’clock that night Boston began her real Christmas eve + celebration. Over the land, over the world the joyful tidings were + flashed. Boston had heard the call of the martyred President and answered + it. The capital of Massachusetts was free. The Stars and Stripes were once + more waving over the Bunker Hill Monument. Four thousand German soldiers + were prisoners in Mechanics Hall on Commonwealth Avenue. <i>The citizens + of Boston had taken them prisoners with their bare hands!</i> + </p> + <p> + This news made an enormous sensation not only in America but throughout + Europe, where Boston’s heroism and scorn of death aroused unmeasured + admiration and led military experts in France and England to make new + prophecies regarding the outcome of the German-American war. + </p> + <p> + “All things are possible,” declared a writer in the Paris <i>Temps</i>, + “for a nation fired with a supreme spiritual zeal like that of the + Japanese Samurai. It is simply a question how widely this sacred fire has + spread among the American people.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. — CONFESSIONS OF AN AMERICAN SPY AND BRAVERY OF + BUFFALO SCHOOLBOYS + </h2> + <p> + On December 26th I received a cable from the London <i>Times</i> + instructing me to try for another interview with the Crown Prince and to + question him on the effect that this Boston victory might have upon the + German campaign in America. Would there be retaliatory measures? Would + German warships bombard Boston from the sea? + </p> + <p> + I journeyed at once to Chicago and made my appeal to Brigadier General + George T. Langhorne, who had been military attache at Berlin in 1915 and + was now in charge of the Imperial prisoner. The Crown Prince and his staff + occupied the seventh floor of the Hotel Blackstone. + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry,” said General Langhorne, after he had presented my request. + “The Crown Prince has no statement to make at present. But there is + another German prisoner who wishes to speak to you. I suppose it’s all + right as you have General Wood’s permission. He says he has met you before—Colonel + von Dusenberg.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel von Dusenberg?” + </p> + <p> + “He is on the Crown Prince’s staff. In here.” I opened a heavy door and + found myself in a large dimly lighted room. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Langston!” + </p> + <p> + The voice was familiar and, turning, I stared in amazement; for there, + dressed as an officer of the Prussian guard, stood the man I had rescued + in the Caribbean Sea, the brother of the girl I had seen in Washington, + Lieutenant Randolph Ryerson of the United States navy. He had let his + moustache grow, but I recognised him at once. + </p> + <p> + “You?” I stood looking at him and saw that his face was deathly white. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I—I’m in trouble and—I have things to tell you,” he + stammered. “Sit down.” + </p> + <p> + I sat down and lighted a cigarette. I kept thinking how much he looked + like his sister. + </p> + <p> + “Ryerson, what the devil are you doing in that Prussian uniform?” + </p> + <p> + He turned away miserably, then he forced himself to face me. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll get the worst over first. I don’t care what happens to me and—anyway + I—I’m a spy.” + </p> + <p> + “A spy?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded. “In the service of the Germans. It was through me they knew + about Widding’s invention to destroy their fleet. It was through me that + Edison and Widding were abducted. I meant to disappear—that’s why I + joined von Hindenburg’s army, but—we were captured and—here I + am.” He looked at me helplessly as I blew out a cloud of smoke. + </p> + <p> + “How is this possible? How did it happen? How, Ryerson?” I gasped in + amazement. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “What’s the use? It was money and—there’s a woman + in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all. I fell for one of their damnable schemes to get information. + It was three years ago on the Mediterranean cruise of our Atlantic + squadron. I met this woman in Marseilles.” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “She called herself the Countess de Matignon, and—I was a young + lieutenant and—I couldn’t resist her. Nobody could. She wanted money + and I gave her all I had; then I gambled to get more. She wanted + information about the American fleet, about our guns and coast defences; + unimportant things at first, but pretty soon they were important and—I + was crazy about her and—swamped with debts and—I yielded. + Within six months she owned me. I was a German spy, mighty well paid, too. + God!” + </p> + <p> + I stared at him in dismay. I could not speak. + </p> + <p> + “Well, after the war broke out between Germany and America last April, + this woman came to New York and got her clutches on me deeper than ever. I + gave her some naval secrets, and six weeks ago I told her all I knew about + Widding’s invention. You see what kind of a dog I am,” he concluded + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “Ryerson, why have you told me this?” I asked searchingly. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” He flashed a straightforward look out of his handsome eyes. + “Because I’m sick of the whole rotten game. I’ve played my cards and lost. + I’m sure to be found out—some navy man will recognise me, in spite + of this moustache, and—you know what will happen then. I’ll be glad + of it, but—before I quit the game I want to do one decent thing. I’m + going to tell you where they’ve taken Edison.” + </p> + <p> + “You know where Edison is?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Don’t speak so loud.” + </p> + <p> + Ryerson leaned closer and whispered: “He’s in Richmond, Virginia.” + </p> + <p> + Silently I studied this unhappy man, wondering if he was telling the + truth. He must have felt my doubts. + </p> + <p> + “Langston, you don’t believe me! Why should I lie to you? I tell you I + want to make amends. These German officers trust me. I know their plans + and—Oh, my God, aren’t you going to believe me?” + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” I said, impressed by the genuineness of his despair. “What plans + do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “I know the Germans are disturbed by this patriotic spirit in America. + They’re afraid of it. They don’t know where hell may break loose next—after + Boston. They’re going to leave Boston alone, everything alone for the + present—until they get their new army.” + </p> + <p> + “New army?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—from Germany. They have sent for half a million more men. + They’ll have ‘em here in a month and—that’s why I want to do + something—before it’s too late.” + </p> + <p> + As I watched him I began to believe in his sincerity. Handsome fellow! I + can see him now with his flushed cheeks and pleading eyes. A spy! It would + break his sister’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “What can you do?” I asked sceptically. + </p> + <p> + He looked about him cautiously and lowered his voice. + </p> + <p> + “I can get Edison away from the Germans, and Edison can destroy their + fleet.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “He says he can.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, but—you say Edison is in Richmond.” + </p> + <p> + “We can rescue him. If you’ll only help me, Langston, we can rescue + Edison. I’ll go to Richmond with papers to the commanding German general + that will get me anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Papers as a German spy?” + </p> + <p> + “Well—yes.” + </p> + <p> + “You can’t get to Richmond. You’re a prisoner yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s where you’re going to help me. You must do it—for the + country—for my sister.” + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: AND ON THE MORNING OF JULY 4, TWO OF VON KLUCK’S STAFF + OFFICERS, ACCOMPANIED BY A MILITARY ESCORT, MARCHED DOWN STATE STREET TO + ARRANGE FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN INDEMNITY FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON OF THREE + HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.} + </p> + <p> + “Does your sister know—what you are?” + </p> + <p> + He looked away, and I saw his lips tighten and his hands clench. + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you want me to tell her?” + </p> + <p> + He thought a moment. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the use of hiding it? She’s bound to know some day, and—she’ll + be glad I’ve had this little flicker of—decency. Besides, she may + have an idea. Mary’s got a good head on her. Poor kid!” + </p> + <p> + I told Ryerson that I would think the matter over and find some way to + communicate with him later. Then I left him. + </p> + <p> + I telegraphed at once to Miss Ryerson, who hurried to Chicago, arriving + the next morning, and we spent most of that day together, discussing the + hard problem before us. The girl was wonderfully brave when I told her the + truth about her brother. She said there were circumstances in his early + life that lessened the heinousness of his wrong doing. And she rejoiced + that he was going to make amends. She knew he was absolutely sincere. + </p> + <p> + I suggested that we go to General Wood, who was friendly to both of us, + and tell him the whole truth, but Miss Ryerson would not hear to this. She + would not place Randolph’s life in jeopardy by revealing the fact that he + had been a German spy. Her brother must make good before he could hope to + be trusted or forgiven. + </p> + <p> + “But he’s a prisoner; he can do nothing unless he has his liberty,” I + objected. + </p> + <p> + “We will get him his liberty; we <i>must</i> get it, but not that way.” + </p> + <p> + “Then how?” + </p> + <p> + For a long time we studied this question in all its phases. How could + Lieutenant Ryerson gain his liberty? How could he get a chance to make + amends for his treachery? And, finally, seeing no other way, we fell back + upon the desperate expedient of an exchange. I would obtain permission for + Miss Ryerson to visit her brother, and they would change clothes, she + remaining as a prisoner in his place while he went forth to undo if + possible the harm that he had done. + </p> + <p> + The details of this plan we arranged immediately. I saw Ryerson the next + day, and when I told him what his sister was resolved to do in the hope of + saving his honour, he cried like a child and I felt more than ever + convinced of his honest repentance. + </p> + <p> + We decided upon December 28th for the attempt, and two days before this + Randolph found a plausible excuse for cutting off his moustache. He told + General Langhorne that he had become a convert to the American fashion of + a clean shaven face. + </p> + <p> + As to the escape itself, I need only say that on December 28th, in the + late afternoon, I escorted Miss Ryerson, carefully veiled, to the Hotel + Blackstone; and an hour later I left the hotel with a person in women’s + garments, also carefully veiled. And that night Randolph Ryerson and I + started for Richmond. I may add that I should never have found the courage + to leave that lovely girl in such perilous surroundings had she not + literally commanded me to go. + </p> + <p> + “We may be saving the nation,” she begged. “Go! Go! And—I’ll be + thinking of you—praying for you—for you both.” + </p> + <p> + My heart leaped before the wonder of her eyes as she looked at me and + repeated these last words: <i>“For you both!”</i> + </p> + <p> + We left the express at Pittsburg, intending to proceed by automobile + across Pennsylvania, then by night through the mountains of West Virginia + and Virginia; for, of course, we had to use the utmost caution to avoid + the sentries of both armies which were spread over this region. + </p> + <p> + In Pittsburg we lunched at the Hotel Duquesne, after which Ryerson left me + for a few hours, saying that he wished to look over the ground and also to + procure the services of a high-powered touring car. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t take any chances,” I said anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll be careful. I’ll be back inside of two hours,” he promised. + </p> + <p> + But two hours, four hours, six hours passed and he did not come. I dined + alone, sick at heart, wondering if I had made a ghastly mistake. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly ten o’clock that night when Ryerson came back after seven + hours’ absence. We went to our room immediately, and he told me what had + happened, the gist of it being that he had discovered important news that + might change our plans. + </p> + <p> + “These people trust me absolutely,” he said. “They tell me everything.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean—German spies?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Pittsburg is full of ‘em. They’re plotting to wreck the big steel + plants and factories here that are making war munitions. I’ll know more + about that later, but the immediate thing is Niagara Falls.” + </p> + <p> + Then Ryerson gave me my first hint of a brilliant coup that had been + preparing for months by the Committee of Twenty-one and the American high + command, its purpose being to strike a deadly and spectacular blow at the + German fleet. + </p> + <p> + “This is the closest kind of a secret, it’s the great American hope; but + the Germans know all about it,” he declared. + </p> + <p> + “Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a big air-ship, the America, a super-Zeppelin, six hundred feet + long, with apparatus for steering small submarines by radio control—no + men aboard. Understand?” + </p> + <p> + “You mean no men aboard the submarine?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. There will be a whole crew on the air-ship. Nicola Tesla and + John Hays Hammond, Jr., worked out the idea, and Edison was to give the + last touches; but as Edison is a German prisoner, they can’t wait for him. + They are going to try the thing on New Year’s night against the German + dreadnought <i>Wilhelm II</i> in Boston Harbour.” + </p> + <p> + “Blow up the <i>Wilhelm II</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but the Germans are warned in advance. You can’t beat their + underground information bureau. They’re going to strike first.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is this air-ship?” + </p> + <p> + “On Grand Island, in the Niagara River, all inflated, ready to sail, but + she never will sail unless we get busy. After tomorrow night there won’t + be any <i>America</i>.” + </p> + <p> + In the face of this critical situation, I saw that we must postpone our + trip to Richmond and, having obtained from Ryerson full details of the + German plot to destroy the <i>America</i>, I took the first train for + Niagara Falls—after arranging with my friend to rejoin him in + Pittsburg a few days later—and was able to give warning to Colonel + Charles D. Kilbourne of Fort Niagara in time to avert this catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + The Germans knew that Grand Island was guarded by United States troops and + that the river surrounding it was patrolled by sentry launches; but the + island was large, sixteen miles long and seven miles wide, and under cover + of darkness it was a simple matter for swimmers to pass unobserved from + shore to shore. + </p> + <p> + On the night of December 30th, 1921, in spite of the cold, five hundred + German spies had volunteered to risk their lives in this adventure. They + were to swim silently from the American and Canadian shores, each man + pushing before him a powerful fire bomb protected in a water-proof case; + then, having reached the island, these five hundred were to advance + stealthily upon the hangar where the great air-ship, fully inflated, was + straining at her moorings. When the rush came, at a pre-arranged signal, + many would be killed by American soldiers surrounding the building, but + some would get through and accomplish their mission. One successful fire + bomb would do the work. + </p> + <p> + Against this danger Colonel Kilbourne provided in a simple way. Instead of + sending more troops to guard the island, which might have aroused German + suspicions, he arranged to have two hundred boys, members of the Athletic + League of the Buffalo Public Schools, go to Grand Island apparently for + skating and coasting parties. It was brisk vacation weather and no one + thought it strange that the little ferry boat from Buffalo carried bands + of lively youngsters across the river for these seasonable pleasures. It + was not observed that the boat also carried rifles and ammunition which + the boys had learned to use, in months of drill and strenuous target + practice, with the skill of regulars. + </p> + <p> + There followed busy hours on Grand Island as we made ready for the crisis. + About midnight, five hundred Germans, true to their vow, landed at various + points, and crept forward through the darkness, carrying their bombs. As + they reached a circle a thousand yards from the huge hangar shed they + passed unwittingly two hundred youthful riflemen who had dug themselves in + under snow and branches and were waiting, thrilling for the word that + would show what American boys can do for their country. Two hundred + American boys on the thousand yard circle! A hundred American soldiers + with rifles and machine guns at the hangar! And the Germans between! + </p> + <p> + We had learned from Ryerson that the enemy would make their rush at two + o’clock in the morning, the signal being a siren shriek from the Canadian + shore, so at a quarter before two, knowing that the Germans were surely in + the trap, Colonel Kilbourne gave the word, and, suddenly, a dozen + search-lights swept the darkness with pitiless glare. American rifles + spoke from behind log shelters, Maxims rattled their deadly blast, and the + Germans, caught between two fires, fled in confusion, dropping their + bombs. As they approached the thousand-yard line they found new enemies + blocking their way, keen-eyed youths whose bullets went true to the mark. + And the end of it was, leaving aside dead and wounded, that <i>two hundred + Buffalo schoolboys made prisoners of the three hundred and fifty German + veterans!</i> + </p> + <p> + And the great seven-million dollar air-ship <i>America</i>, with all her + radio mysteries, was left unharmed, ready to sail forth the next night, + New Year’s Eve, and make her attack upon the superdreadnought Wilhelm II, + on January 1, 1922. I prayed that this would be a happier year for the + United States than 1921 had been. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. — NOVEL ATTACK OF AMERICAN AIRSHIP UPON GERMAN + SUPER-DREADNOUGHT + </h2> + <p> + I come now to the period of my great adventures beginning on New Year’s + Day, 1922, when I sailed from Buffalo aboard the airship <i>America</i> on + her expedition against the German fleet. For the first time in my modest + career I found myself a figure of nation-wide interest, not through any + particular merit or bravery of my own, but by reason of a series of + fortunate accidents. I may say that I became a hero in spite of myself. + </p> + <p> + In recognition of the service I had rendered in helping to save the great + airship from German spies, I had been granted permission, at General + Wood’s recommendation, to sail as a passenger aboard this dreadnought of + the skies and to personally witness her novel attack with torpedoes + lowered from the airship and steered from the height of a mile or two by + radio control. Never before had a newspaper correspondent received such a + privilege and I was greatly elated, not realising what extraordinary + perils I was to face in this discharge of my duty. + </p> + <p> + I was furthermore privileged to be present at a meeting of the Committee + of Twenty-one held on the morning of January 1st, 1922, at the Hotel Lenox + in Buffalo. Various details of our airship expedition were discussed and + there was revealed to me an important change in the <i>America’s</i> + strategy which I will come to presently. + </p> + <p> + Surveying the general military situation, John Wanamaker read reports + showing extraordinary progress in military preparedness all over the + country, especially in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, where the women, + recently victorious in their suffrage fight, were able to make their + patriotic zeal felt in aggressive legislation. Strange to say, American + wives and mothers were the leaders in urging compulsory physical and + military training, a year of it, on the Swiss plan, for all American young + men of twenty and a month of it every five years afterwards for all men up + to fifty. + </p> + <p> + The Committee were in the midst of a discussion of Charles M. Schwab’s + plan providing that American soldiers carry armour, a helmet, breastplate + and abdominal covering of light but highly tempered steel, when there came + a dramatic interruption. A guard at the door of the Council Room entered + to say that Mr. Henry A. Wise Wood, President of the Aero Club of America, + was outside with an urgent communication for the Committee. Mr. Wise Wood + was at once received and informed us that he had journeyed from Pittsburg + bearing news that might have an important bearing upon the airship + expedition. + </p> + <p> + “As you know, gentlemen,” he said, “we have a wireless station in the + tower of our new Aero Club building in Pittsburg. Yesterday afternoon at + three o’clock the operator received a message addressed to me. It was very + faint, almost a whisper through the air, but he filially got it down and + he is positive it is correct. This message, gentlemen, is from Thomas A. + Edison.” + </p> + <p> + “Edison!” exclaimed Andrew Carnegie, “but he is a prisoner of the + Germans.” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly,” agreed Mr. Wise Wood, “but it has occurred to me that the + Germans may have allowed Mr. Edison to fit up a laboratory for his + experiments. They would treat such a man with every consideration.” + </p> + <p> + “They would not allow him to communicate with his friends,” objected + Cornelius Vanderbilt. + </p> + <p> + “He may not have asked permission,” laughed George W. Perkins. “He may + have rigged up some secret contrivance for sending wireless messages.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you read what he says?” put in J.P. Morgan. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wise Wood drew a folded yellow paper from his pocket and continued: + “This message is unquestionably from Mr. Edison, in spite of the fact that + it is signed <i>Thaled</i>. You will agree with me, gentlemen, that Thaled + is a code word formed by putting together the first two letters of the + three names, Thomas Alva Edison.” + </p> + <p> + “Very clever!” nodded Asa G. Candler. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see that,” frowned John D. Rockefeller. “If Mr. Edison wished to + send Mr. Wise Wood a message why should he use a misleading signature?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s perfectly clear,” explained James J. Hill. “Mr. Edison has disguised + his signature sufficiently to throw off the track any German wireless + operator who might catch the message, while leaving it understandable to + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Read the message,” repeated J.P. Morgan. Whereupon Mr. Wise Wood opened + the yellow sheet and read: + </p> + <p> + “Strongly disapprove attack against German fleet by airship <i>America</i>. + Satisfied method radio control not sufficiently perfected and effort + doomed to failure. Have worked out sure and simple way to destroy fleet. + Details shortly or deliver personally. THALED”. + </p> + <p> + This message provoked fresh discussion and there were some, including + Elihu Root, who thought that Mr. Edison had never sent this message. It + was a shrewd trick of the Germans to prevent the <i>America</i> from + sailing. If Mr. Edison could tell us so much why did he not tell us more? + Why did he not say where he was a prisoner? And explain on what he rested + his hopes of communicating with us in person. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” concluded Mr. Root, “we know that Germany is actually + embarking a new army of half a million men to continue her invasion of + America. Already she holds our Atlantic seaboard, our proudest cities, and + within a fortnight she will strike again. I say we must strike first. We + have a chance in Boston Harbour and we must take it. This single coup may + decide the war by showing the invader that at last we are ready. + Gentlemen, I move that the airship <i>America</i> sail to-night for Boston + Harbour, as arranged.” + </p> + <p> + I longed to step forward to tell what I knew about Edison, how he was a + prisoner in Richmond, Virginia, and how an effort was actually on foot to + rescue him, but I had promised Miss Ryerson not to betray her brother’s + shame and was forced to hold my tongue. Besides, I could not be sure + whether this wireless message did or did not come from Edison. + </p> + <p> + The Committee finally decided that the <i>America</i> should sail that + evening, but should change her point of attack so as to take the enemy + unprepared, if possible; in other words, we were to strike not at the + German warships in Boston Harbour, but at the great super-dreadnought <i>Bismarck</i>, + flagship of the hostile fleet, which was lying in the upper bay off New + York City. + </p> + <p> + I pass over the incidents of our flight to Manhattan and come to the + historic aerial struggle over New York harbour in which I nearly lost my + life. The <i>America</i> was convoyed by a fleet of a hundred swift and + powerful battle aeroplanes and we felt sure that these would be more than + able to cope with any aeroplane force that the Germans could send against + us. And to avoid danger from anti-aircraft guns we made a wide detour to + the south, crossing New Jersey on about the line of Asbury Park and then + sailing to the north above the open sea, so that we approached New York + harbour from the Atlantic side. At this time (it was a little after + midnight) we were sailing at a height of two miles with our aeroplanes ten + miles behind us so that their roaring propellers might not betray us and, + for a time, as we drifted silently off Rockaway Beach it seemed that we + would be successful in our purpose to strike without warning. + </p> + <p> + There, just outside the Narrows, lay the <i>Bismarck</i>, blazing with the + lights of some New Year’s festivity and resounding with music. I remember + a shrinking of unprofessional regret at the thought of suddenly destroying + so fair and happy a thing. + </p> + <p> + I was presently drawn from these meditations by quick movements of the + airship crew and a shrill voice of command. + </p> + <p> + “Ready to lower! Let her go!” shouted Captain Nicola Tesla, who had + volunteered for this service. + </p> + <p> + “Bzzz!” sang the deck winches as they swiftly unrolled twin lengths of + piano wire that supported a pendant torpedo with its radio appliances and + its red, white and green control lights shining far below us in the void. + </p> + <p> + “Easy! Throw on your winch brakes,” ordered Tesla, studying his dials for + depth. + </p> + <p> + A strong southeast wind set the wires twisting dangerously, but, by + skillful manoeuvring, we launched the first torpedo safely from the height + of half a mile and, with a thrill of joy, I followed her lights (masked + from the enemy) as they moved swiftly over the bay straight towards the + flagship. The torpedo was running under perfect wireless control. Tesla + smiled at his keyboard. + </p> + <p> + Alas! Our joy was soon changed to disappointment. Our first torpedo missed + the Bismarck by a few yards, went astern of her because at the last moment + she got her engines going and moved ahead. Somehow the Germans had + received warning of their danger. + </p> + <p> + Our second torpedo wandered vainly over the ocean because we could not + follow her guide lights, the enemy blinding us with the concentrated glare + of about twenty of their million-candle power searchlights. + </p> + <p> + And our third torpedo was cut off from radio control because we suddenly + found ourselves surrounded y the two fleets of battling aeroplanes, caught + between two fires, ours and the enemy’s, and were obliged to run for our + lives with an electric generator shattered by shrapnel. I was so busy + caring for two of our crew who were wounded that I had no time to observe + this thrilling battle in the air. + </p> + <p> + It was over quickly, I remember, and our American aeroplanes, vastly + superior to the opposing fleet, had gained a decisive victory, so that we + were just beginning to breathe freely when an extraordinary thing + happened, a rare act of heroism, though I say it for the Germans. + </p> + <p> + There came a signal, the dropping of a fire bomb with many colours, and + instantly the remnant of the enemy’s air strength, four biplanes and a + little yellow-striped monoplane, started at us, in a last desperate + effort, with all the speed of their engines. Our aerial fleet saw the + manouver and swept towards the biplanes, intercepting them, one by one, + and tearing them to pieces with sweeping volleys of our machine guns, but + the little monoplane, swifter than the rest, dodged and circled and + finally found an opening towards the airship and came through it at two + miles a minute, straight for us and for death, throwing fire bombs and + yelling for the Kaiser. + </p> + <p> + “Save yourselves!” shouted Tesla as the enemy craft ripped into our great + yellow gas bag. + </p> + <p> + Bombs were exploding all about us and in an instant the <i>America</i> was + in flames. We knew that our effort had failed. + </p> + <p> + As the stricken airship, burning fiercely, sank rapidly through the night, + I realised that I must fight for my life in the ice cold waters of the + bay. I hate cold water and, being but an indifferent swimmer, I hesitated + whether to throw off my coat and shoes, and, having finally decided, I had + only time to rid myself of one shoe and my coat when I saw the surging + swells directly beneath me and leapt overside just in time to escape the + crash of blazing wreckage. + </p> + <p> + Dazed by the blow of a heavy spar and the shock of immersion, I remember + nothing more until I found myself on dry land, hours later, with kind + friends ministering to me. It seems that a party of motor boat rescuers + from Brooklyn worked over me for hours before I returned to consciousness + and I lay for days afterward in a state of languid-weakness, indifferent + to everything. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. — DESPERATE EFFORT TO RESCUE THOMAS A. EDISON FROM THE + GERMANS + </h2> + <p> + I wish I might detail my experiences during the next fortnight, how I was + guarded from the Germans (they had put a price on my head) by kind friends + in Brooklyn, notably Mrs. Anne P. L. Field, the Sing-Sing angel, who + contrived my escape through the German lines of occupation with the help + of a swift motor boat and two of her convict protégés. + </p> + <p> + We landed in Newark one dark night after taking desperate chances on the + bay and running a gauntlet of German sentries who fired at us repeatedly. + Then, thanks to my old friend, Francis J. Swayze of the United States + Supreme Court, I was passed along across northern New Jersey, through + Dover, where “Pop” Losee, the eloquent ice man evangelist, saved me from + Prussians guarding the Picatinny arsenal, then through Allentown, Pa., + where Editor Roth swore to a suspicious German colonel that I was one of + his reporters, and, finally, by way of Harrisburg to Pittsburg, where at + last I was safe. + </p> + <p> + To my delight I found Randolph Ryerson anxiously awaiting my arrival and + eager to proceed with our plan to rescue Edison. We set forth for Richmond + the next day, January 16th, 1922, in a racing automobile and proceeded + with the utmost caution, crossing the mountains of West Virginia and + Virginia by night to avoid the sentries of both armies. Twice, being + challenged, we drove on unheeding at furious speed and escaped in the + darkness, although shots were fired after us. + </p> + <p> + As morning broke on January 20th we had our first view of the seven-hilled + city on the James, with its green islands and its tumbling muddy waters. + We knew that Richmond was held by the Germans, and as we approached their + lines I realised the difficulty of my position, for I was now obliged to + trust Ryerson absolutely and let him make use of his credentials from the + Crown Prince which presented him as an American spy in the German service. + He introduced me as his friend and a person to be absolutely trusted, + which practically made me out a spy also. It was evident that, unless we + succeeded in our mission, I had compromised myself gravely. Ryerson was + reassuring, however, and declared that everything would be all right. + </p> + <p> + We took a fine suite at the Hotel Jefferson, where we found German + officers in brilliant uniforms strolling about the great rotunda or + refreshing themselves with pipes and beer in the palm room nearthe white + marble statue of Thomas Jefferson. + </p> + <p> + “If you’ll excuse me now for a few hours,” said Ryerson, who seemed rather + nervous, “I will get the information we need from some of these fellows. + Let us meet here at dinner.” + </p> + <p> + During the afternoon I drove about this peaceful old city with its gardens + and charming homes and was allowed to approach the threatening siege guns + which the Germans had set up on the broad esplanade of Monument Avenue + between the equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee and the tall white shaft + that bears the heroic figure of Jefferson Davis. These guns were trained + upon the gothic tower of the city hall and upon the cherished grey pile of + the Capitol, with its massive columns and its shaded park where grey + squirrels play about the famous statue of George Washington. + </p> + <p> + My driver told me thrilling stories of the fighting here when Field + Marshal von Mackensen marched his army into Richmond. Alas for this proud + Southern city! What could she hope to do against 150,000 German soldiers? + For the sake of her women and children she decided to do nothing + officially, but the Richmond “Blues” had their own ideas and a crowd of + Irish patriots from Murphy’s Hotel had theirs, and when the German army, + with bands playing and eagles flying, came tramping down Broad Street, + they were halted presently by four companies of eighty men each in blue + uniforms and white plumed hats drawn up in front of the statues of + Stonewall Jackson and Henry Clay ready to die here on this pleasant autumn + morning rather than have this most sacred spot in the South desecrated by + an invader. And die here they did or fell wounded, the whole body of + Richmond “Blues,” under Colonel W. J. Kemp, while their band played + “Dixie” and the old Confederate flags waved over them. + </p> + <p> + As for the Irishmen, it seems that they marched in a wild and cursing mob + to the churchyard of old St. John’s where Patrick Henry hurled his famous + defiance at the British and in the same spirit—“Give me liberty or + give me death”—they fought until they could fight no longer. + </p> + <p> + As we drove through East Franklin Street I was startled to see a German + flag flying over the honoured home of Robert E. Lee and a German sentry on + guard before the door. I was told that prominent citizens of Richmond were + held here as hostages, among these being Governor Richard Evelyn Byrd, + John K. Branch, Oliver J. Sands, William H. White, Bishop R. A. Gibson, + Bishop O’Connell, Samuel Cohen and Mayor Jacob Umlauf who, in spite of his + German descent, had proved himself a loyal American. + </p> + <p> + I finished the afternoon at a Red Cross bazaar held in the large + auditorium on Gary Street under the patronage of Mrs. Norman B. Randolph, + Mrs. B. B. Valentine, Miss Jane Rutherford and other prominent Richmond + ladies. I made several purchases, including a cane made from a plank of + Libby prison and a stone paper weight from Edgar Allan Poe’s boyhood home + on Fifth Street. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the bazaar, I turned aimlessly into a quiet shaded avenue and was + wondering what progress Ryerson might be making with his investigations, + when I suddenly saw the man himself on the other side of the way, talking + earnestly with a young woman of striking beauty and of foreign appearance. + She might have been a Russian or an Austrian. + </p> + <p> + There was something in this unexpected meeting that filled me with a vague + alarm. Who was this woman? Why was Ryerson spending time with her that was + needed for our urgent business? I felt indignant at this lack of + seriousness on his part and, unobserved, I followed the couple as they + climbed a hill leading to a little park overlooking the river, where they + seated themselves on a bench and continued their conversation. + </p> + <p> + Presently I passed so close to them that Ryerson could not fail to see me + and, pausing at a short distance, I looked back at him. He immediately + excused himself to his fair companion and joined me. He was evidently + annoyed. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here,” he whispered. “I’ll be back.” + </p> + <p> + With that he rejoined the lady and immediately escorted her down the hill. + It was fully an hour before he returned and I saw he had regained his + composure. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you are wondering who that lady was?” he began lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, just a little. Is she the woman you told me about—the + countess?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no! But she’s a very remarkable person,” he explained. “She is known + in every capital of Europe. They say the German government pays her fifty + thousand dollars a year.” + </p> + <p> + “She’s quite a beauty,” said I. + </p> + <p> + He looked at me sharply. “I suppose she is, but that’s not the point. + She’s at the head of the German secret service work in America. She knows + all about Edison.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” + </p> + <p> + “She has told me where he is. That’s why we came up here. Do you see that + building?” + </p> + <p> + I followed his gesture across the valley and on a hill opposite saw a + massive brick structure with many small windows, and around it a high + white painted wall. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the state penitentiary. Edison is there in the cell that was once + occupied by Aaron Burr—you remember—when he was tried for + treason?” + </p> + <p> + All this was said in so straightforward a manner that I felt ashamed of my + doubts and congratulated my friend warmly on his zeal and success. + </p> + <p> + “Just the same, you didn’t like it when you saw me with that woman—did + you?” he laughed. + </p> + <p> + I acknowledged my uneasiness and, as we walked back to the hotel, spoke + earnestly with Ryerson about the grave responsibility that rested upon us, + upon me equally with him. I begged him to justify his sister’s faith and + love and to rise now with all his might to this supreme duty and + opportunity. + </p> + <p> + He seemed moved by my words and assured me that he would do the right + thing, but when I pressed him to outline our immediate course of action, + he became evasive and irritable and declared that he was tired and needed + a night’s rest before going into these details. + </p> + <p> + As I left him at the door of his bedroom I noticed a bulky and strongly + corded package on the table and asked what it was, whereupon, in a flash + of anger, he burst into a tirade of reproach, saying that I did not trust + him and was prying into his personal affairs, all of which increased my + suspicions. + </p> + <p> + “I must insist on knowing what is in that package,” I said quietly. “You + needn’t tell me now, because you’re not yourself, but in the morning we + will take up this whole affair. Goodnight.” + </p> + <p> + “Goodnight,” he answered sullenly. + </p> + <p> + Here was a bad situation, and for hours I did not sleep, asking myself if + I had made a ghastly mistake in trusting Ryerson. Was his sister’s + sacrifice to be in vain? Was the man a traitor still, in spite of + everything? + </p> + <p> + Towards three o’clock I fell into fear-haunted dreams, but was presently + awakened by a quick knocking at my door and, opening, I came face to face + with my companion, who stood there fully dressed. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake let me come in.” He looked about the room nervously. “Have + you anything to drink?” + </p> + <p> + I produced a flask of Scotch whiskey and he filled half a glass and gulped + it down. Then he drew a massive iron key from his pocket and threw it on + the bed. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever happens, keep that. Don’t let me have it.” + </p> + <p> + I picked up the key and looked at it curiously. It was about four inches + long and very heavy. + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you want me to let you have it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it unlocks a door that would lead me to—hell,” he cried + fiercely. Then he reached for the flask. + </p> + <p> + “No, no! You’ve had enough,” I said, and drew the bottle out of his reach. + “Randolph, you know I’m your friend, don’t you? Look at me! Now what’s the + matter? What door are you talking about?” + </p> + <p> + “The door to a wing of the prison where Edison is.” + </p> + <p> + “You said he was in Aaron Burr’s cell.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s been moved to another part of the building. That woman arranged it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at me in a silence of shame, then he forced himself to speak. + </p> + <p> + “So I could carry out my orders” + </p> + <p> + “Orders? Not—not German orders?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded stolidly. + </p> + <p> + “I’m under her orders—it’s the same thing. I can’t help it. I can’t + stand against her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then she <i>is</i> the countess?” + </p> + <p> + He bowed his head slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I meant to play fair. I would have played fair, but—the + Germans put this woman on our trail when we left Chicago—they + mistrusted something and—” with a gesture of despair, “she found me + in Pittsburg—she—she’s got me. I don’t care for anything in + the world but that woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Randolph!” + </p> + <p> + “It’s true. I don’t want to live—without her. You needn’t cock up + your eyes like that. I’d go back to her now—yes, by God, I’d do this + thing now, if I could.” + </p> + <p> + He had worked himself into a frenzy of rage and pain, and I sat still + until he grew calm again. + </p> + <p> + “What thing? What is it she wants you to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Get rid of you to begin with,” he snapped out. “It’s easy enough. We go + to the prison—this key lets us in. I leave you in the cell with + Edison and—you saw that package in my room? It’s a bomb. I explode + it under the cell and—there you are!” + </p> + <p> + “You promised to do this?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes! I’m to get five thousand dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “But you didn’t do it, you stopped in time,” I said soothingly. “You’ve + told me the truth now and—we’ll see what we can do about it.” + </p> + <p> + He scowled at me. + </p> + <p> + “You’re crazy. We can’t do anything about it. The Germans are in control + of Richmond. They’re watching this hotel.” + </p> + <p> + Ryerson glanced at his watch. + </p> + <p> + “Half-past three. I have four hours to live.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” + </p> + <p> + “They’ll come for me at seven o’clock when they find I haven’t carried out + my orders, and I’ll be taken to the prison yard and—shot or—hanged. + It’s the best thing that can happen to me, but—I’m sorry for you.” + </p> + <p> + “See here, Ryerson,” I broke in. “If you’re such a rotten coward and liar + and sneak as you say you are, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you go + ahead with your bomb business?” + </p> + <p> + He sat rocking back and forth on the side of the bed, with his head bent + forward, his eyes closed and his lips moving in a sort of thick mumbling. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve tried to, but—it’s my sister. God! She won’t leave me alone. + She said she’d be praying for me and—all night I’ve seen her face. + I’ve seen her when we were kids together, playing around in the old home—with + Mother there and—oh, Christ!” + </p> + <p> + I pass over a desperate hour that followed. Ryerson tried to kill himself + and, when I took the weapon from him, he begged me to put an end to his + sufferings. Never until now had I realised how hard is the way of the + transgressor. + </p> + <p> + I have often wondered how this terrible night would have ended had not + Providence suddenly intervened. The city hall clock had just tolled five + when there came a volley of shots from the direction of Monument Avenue. + </p> + <p> + “What’s that?” cried my poor friend, his haggard face lighting. + </p> + <p> + We rushed to the window, where the pink and purple lights of dawn were + spreading over the spires and gardens of the sleeping city. + </p> + <p> + The shots grew in volume and presently we heard the dull boom of a siege + gun, then another and another. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a battle! They’re bombarding the city. Look!” He pointed towards + Capitol Square. “They’ve struck the tower of the city hall. And over + there! The gas works!” He swept his arm towards an angry red glow that + showed where another shell had found its target. + </p> + <p> + I shall not attempt to describe the burning of Richmond (for the third + time in its history) on this fateful day, January 20th, 1922, nor to + detail the horrors that attended the destruction of the enemy’s force of + occupation. Historians are agreed that the Germans must be held blameless + for firing on the city, since they naturally supposed this daybreak attack + upon their own lines to be an effort of the American army and retaliated, + as best they could, with their heavy guns. + </p> + <p> + It was days before the whole truth was known, although I cabled the London + <i>Times</i> that night, explaining that the American army had nothing to + do with this attack, which was the work of an unorganised and + irresponsible band of ten or twelve thousand mountaineers gathered from + the wilds of Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky and Tennessee. They + were moon-shiners, feudists, hilly-billies, small farmers and + basket-makers, men of lean and saturnine appearance, some of them horse + thieves, pirates of the forest who cared little for the laws of God or man + and fought as naturally as they breathed. + </p> + <p> + These men came without flags, without officers, without uniforms. They + crawled on their bellies and carried logs as shields. They knew and cared + nothing for military tactics and their strategy was that of the wild + Indian. They fought to kill and they took no prisoners. It seems that a + Virginia mountain girl had been wronged by a German officer and that was + enough. + </p> + <p> + For weeks the mountaineers had been advancing stealthily through the + wilderness, pushing on by night, hiding in the hills and forests by day; + and they had come the last fifty miles on foot, leaving their horses back + in the hills. They were armed with Winchester rifles, with old-time + squirrel rifles, with muzzle loaders having long octagonal barrels and + fired by cups. Some carried shot guns and cartridges stuffed with buckshot + and some poured in buckshot by the handful. They had no artillery and they + needed none. + </p> + <p> + The skill in marksmanship of these men is beyond belief, there is nothing + like it in the world. With a rifle they will shoot off a turkey’s head at + a hundred yards (this is a common amusement) and as boys, when they go + after squirrels, they are taught to hit the animals’ noses only so as not + to spoil the skins. It was such natural fighters as these that George + Washington led against the French and the Indians, when he saved the wreck + of Braddock’s army. + </p> + <p> + The Germans were beaten before they began to fight. They were surrounded + on two sides before they had the least idea that an enemy was near. Their + sentries were shot down before they could give the alarm and the first + warning of danger to the sleeping Teutons was the furious rush of ten + thousand wild men who came on and came on and came on, never asking + quarter and never giving it. + </p> + <p> + When the Germans tried to charge, the mountaineers threw themselves flat + on the ground and fought with the craft of Indians, dodging from tree to + tree, from rock to rock, but always advancing. When the Germans sent up + two of their scouting aeroplanes to report the number of the enemy’s + forces, the enemy picked off the German pilots before the machines were + over the tree tops. Here was a mixture of native savagery and efficiency, + plus the lynching spirit, plus the pre-revolutionary American spirit and + against which, with unequal numbers and complete surprise, no + mathematically trained European force had the slightest chance. + </p> + <p> + The attack began at five o’clock and at eight everything was over; the + Germans had been driven into the slough of Chickahominy swamp to the + northeast of Richmond (where McClellan lost an army) and slaughtered here + to the last man; whereupon the mountaineers, having done what they came to + do, started back to their mountains. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Richmond was burning, and my poor friend Ryerson and I were + facing new dangers. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” he cried with new hope in his eyes. “We’ve got a chance, half a + chance.” + </p> + <p> + Our one thought now was to reach the prison before it was too late, and we + ran as fast as we could through streets that were filled with terrified + and scantily clad citizens who were as ignorant as we were of what was + really happening. A German guard at the prison gates recognised Ryerson, + and we passed inside just as a shell struck one of the tobacco factories + along the river below us with a violent explosion. A moment later another + shell struck the railway station and set fire to it. + </p> + <p> + Screams of terror arose from all parts of the prison, many of the inmates + being negroes, and in the general confusion, we were able to reach the + unused wing where Edison was confined. + </p> + <p> + “Give me that big key—quick,” whispered Ryerson. “Wait here.” + </p> + <p> + I obeyed and a few minutes later he beckoned to me excitedly from a + passageway that led into a central court yard, and I saw a white-faced + figure bundled in a long coat hurrying after him. It was Thomas A. Edison. + </p> + <p> + Just then there came a rush of footsteps behind us with German shouts and + curses. + </p> + <p> + “They’re after us,” panted Randolph. “I’ve got two guns and I’ll hold ‘em + while you two make a break for it. Take this key. It opens a red door at + the end of this passage after you turn to the right. Run and—tell my + sister I—made good—at the last.” + </p> + <p> + I clasped his hand with a hurried “God bless you” and darted ahead. It was + our only chance and, even as we turned the corner of the passage, Ryerson + began to fire at our pursuers. I heard afterwards that he wounded five and + killed two of them. I don’t know whether that was the count, but I know he + held them until we made our escape out into the blazing city. And I know + he gave his life there with a fierce joy, realising that the end of it, at + least, was brave and useful. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. — RIOTS IN CHICAGO AND GERMAN PLOT TO RESCUE THE CROWN + PRINCE + </h2> + <p> + The first weeks of January, 1922, brought increasing difficulties and + perplexities for the German forces of occupation in America. With + comparative ease the enemy had conquered our Atlantic seaboard, but now + they faced the harder problem of holding it against a large and + intelligent and totally unreconciled population. What was to be done with + ten million people who, having been deprived of their arms, their cities + and their liberties, had kept their hatred? + </p> + <p> + The Germans had suffered heavy losses. The disaster to von Hindenburg’s + army in the battle of the Susquehanna had cost them over a hundred + thousand men. The revolt of Boston, the massacre of Richmond, had weakened + the Teuton prestige and had set American patriotism boiling, seething, + from Maine to Texas, from Long Island to the Golden Gate. There were + rumours of strange plots and counter-plots, also of a new great army of + invasion that was about to set sail from Kiel. Evidently the Germans must + have more men if they were to ride safely on this furious American + avalanche that they had set in motion, if they were to tame the fiery + American volcano that was smouldering beneath them. + </p> + <p> + In this connection I must speak of the famous woman’s plot that resulted + in the death of several hundred German officers and soldiers and that + would have caused the death of thousands but for unforeseen developments. + This plot was originated by women leaders of the militant suffrage party + in New York and Pennsylvania (the faction led by Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont not + approving) and soon grew to nation-wide importance with an enrolled body + of twenty thousand militant young women, each one of whom was pledged to + accomplish the destruction of one of the enemy on a certain Saturday night + between the hours of sunset and sunrise. + </p> + <p> + By a miracle these women kept their vow of secrecy until the fatal + evening, but at eight o’clock the plot was revealed to Germans in + Philadelphia through the confession of a young Quakeress who, after + playing her part for weeks, had fallen genuinely in love with a Prussian + lieutenant and simply could not bring herself to kill him when the time + came. + </p> + <p> + I come now to a sensational happening that I witnessed in Chicago, to + which city I had journeyed after the Richmond affair for very personal + reasons. If this were a romance and not a plain recital of facts I should + dwell upon my meeting with Mary Ryerson and our mutual joy in each finding + that the other had escaped unharmed from the perils of our recent + adventures. + </p> + <p> + Miss Ryerson, it appeared, after the discovery of her daring disguise had + been released on parole by order of General Langthorne, who believed her + story that she had taken this desperate chance as the only means of saving + Thomas A. Edison. Mary had heard the story of her brother’s heroic death + and to still her grief, had thrown herself into work for the Red Cross + fund under Miss Boardman and Mrs. C.C. Rumsey. She had hit upon a charming + way of raising money by having little girls dressed in white with American + flags for sashes, lead white lambs through the streets, the lambs bearing + Red Cross contribution boxes on their backs. By this means thousands of + dollars had been secured. + </p> + <p> + On the evening following my arrival in Chicago, I had arranged to take + Miss Ryerson to a great recruiting rally in the huge lake-front auditorium + building, but when I called at her boarding-house on Wabash Avenue, I + found her much disturbed over a strange warning that she had just + received. + </p> + <p> + “Something terrible is going to happen tonight,” she said. “There will be + riots all over Chicago.” + </p> + <p> + I asked how she knew this and she explained that a deaf and dumb man named + Stephen, who took care of the furnace, a man in whose rather pathetic case + she had interested herself, had told her. It seems he also took care of + the furnace in a neighbouring house which was occupied by a queer German + club, really a gathering place of German spies. + </p> + <p> + “He overheard things there and told me,” she said seriously, whereupon I + burst out laughing. + </p> + <p> + “What? A deaf and dumb man?” + </p> + <p> + “You know what I mean. He reads the lips and I know the sign language.” + </p> + <p> + The main point was that this furnace man had begged Miss Ryerson not to + leave her boardinghouse until he returned. He had gone back to the German + club, where he hoped to get definite information of an impending + catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + “It’s some big coup they are planning for tonight,” she said. “We must + wait here.” + </p> + <p> + So we waited and presently, along Wabash Avenue, with crashing bands and a + roar of angry voices, came an anti-militarist socialist parade with floats + and banners presenting fire-brand sentiments that called forth jeers and + hisses from crowds along the sidewalks or again enthusiastic cheers from + other crowds of contrary mind. + </p> + <p> + “You see, there’s going to be trouble,” trembled the girl, clutching my + arm. “Read that!” + </p> + <p> + A huge float was rolling past bearing this pledge in great red letters: + </p> + <p> + “I refuse to kill your father. I refuse to slay your mother’s son. I + refuse to plunge a bayonet into the breast of your sweetheart’s brother. I + refuse to assassinate you and then hide my stained fists in the folds of + any flag. I refuse to be flattered into hell’s nightmare by a class of + well-fed snobs, crooks and cowards who despise our class socially, rob our + class economically and betray our class politically.” + </p> + <p> + At this the hostile crowds roared their approval and disapproval. Also at + another float that paraded these words: + </p> + <p> + “What is war? For working-class wives—heartache. For working-class + mothers—loneliness. For working-class children—orphanage. For + peace—defeat. For death—a harvest. For nations—debts. + For bankers—bonds, interest. For preachers on both sides—ferocious + prayers for victory. For big manufacturers—business profits. For + ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’—boisterous laughter. For Christ—contempt.” + </p> + <p> + I saw that my companion was deeply moved. + </p> + <p> + “It’s all true, what they say, isn’t it?” she murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it’s true, but—we can’t change the world, we can’t give up our + country, our independence. Hello!” + </p> + <p> + A white-faced man had rushed into the parlour, gesticulating violently and + making distressing guttural sounds. It was Stephen. + </p> + <p> + Uncomprehending, I watched his swift signs. + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What is he trying to say?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” + </p> + <p> + Her hands flew in eager questions and the man answered her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” she cried. “The riots are a blind to draw away the police and the + troops. They’re marching against the Blackstone Hotel now—a thousand + German spies—with rifles.” + </p> + <p> + The Blackstone Hotel! I realised in a moment what that meant. The German + Crown Prince was still a prisoner at the Blackstone, in charge of General + Langhorne. It was a serious handicap to the enemy that we held in our + power the heir to the German throne. They dared not resort to reprisals + against America lest Frederick William suffer. + </p> + <p> + “They mean to rescue the Crown Prince?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + I rushed to the telephone to call up police headquarters, but the wires + were dead—German spies had seen to that. + </p> + <p> + “Come!” I said, seizing her arm. “We must hustle over to the auditorium.” + </p> + <p> + Fortunately the great recruiting hall was only a few blocks distant and as + we hurried there Miss Ryerson explained that the furnace man, Stephen, + before coming to us, had run to McCormick College, the Chicago home for + deaf students, and given the alarm. + </p> + <p> + “What good will that do?” + </p> + <p> + “What good! These McCormick boys have military drill. They are splendid + shots. Stephen says fifty of them will hold the Germans until our troops + get there.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so.” + </p> + <p> + I need not detail our experiences in the enormous and rather disorderly + crowd that packed the auditorium building except to say that ten minutes + later we left there followed by eighty members of the Camp Fire Club (they + had organised this appeal for recruits), formidable hunters of big game + who came on the run carrying the high power rifles that they had used + against elephants and tigers in India and against moose and grizzlies in + this country. Among them were Ernest Thompson Seton, Dan Beard, Edward + Seymour, Belmore Brown, Edward H. Litchfield and his son, Herbert. + </p> + <p> + Under the command of their president, George D. Pratt, these splendid + shots proceeded with all speed to the Blackstone Hotel, where they found a + company of deaf riflemen, under the command of J. Frederick Meagher, about + seventy in all, guarding the doors and windows. Not a moment too soon did + they arrive for, as they entered the hotel, hoarse cries were heard + outside and presently a bomb exploded at the main entrance, shattering the + heavy doors and killing nine of the defenders, including Melvin Davidson, + Jack Seipp and John Clarke, the Blackfoot Indian, famous for his wood + carvings and his unerring marksmanship. + </p> + <p> + Meantime messengers had been sent in all directions, through the rioting + city, calling for troops and police and in twenty minutes, with the + arrival of strong reinforcements, the danger passed. + </p> + <p> + But those twenty minutes! Again and again the Germans came forward in + furious assaults with rifles and machine guns. The Crown Prince must be + rescued. At any cost he must be rescued. + </p> + <p> + No! The Crown Prince was not rescued. The defenders of the Hotel + Blackstone had their way, a hundred and fifty against a thousand, but they + paid the price. Before help came forty members of the Camp Fire Club and + fifty of those brave deaf American students gave up their lives, as is + recorded on a bronze tablet in the hotel corridor that bears witness to + their heroism. + </p> + <p> + I must now make my last contribution to this chapter of our history, which + has to do with motives that presently influenced the Crown Prince towards + a startling decision. I came into possession of this knowledge as a + consequence of the part I played in rescuing Thomas A. Edison after his + abduction by the Germans. + </p> + <p> + One of the first questions Mr. Edison asked me as we escaped in a swift + automobile from the burning and shell-wrecked Virginia capital, had a + direct bearing on the ending of the war. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Langston,” he asked, “did the Committee of Twenty-one receive my + wireless about the airship expedition?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, they got it,” I replied, and then explained the line of + reasoning that had led the Committee to, disregard Mr. Edison’s warning. + </p> + <p> + {Illustration: “MY FRIENDS, THEY SAY PATRIOTISM IS DEAD IN THIS LAND. THEY + SAY WE ARE EATEN UP WITH LOVE OF HONEY, TAINTED WITH A YELLOW STREAK THAT + MAKES US AFRAID TO FIGHT. IT’S A LIE! I AM SIXTY YEARS OLD, BUT I’LL FIGHT + IN THE TRENCHES WITH MY FOUR SONS BESIDE ME. AND YOU MEN WILL DO THE SAME. + AM I RIGHT?"} + </p> + <p> + He listened, frowning. + </p> + <p> + “Huh! That sounds like Elihu Root.” + </p> + <p> + “It was,” I admitted. + </p> + <p> + For hours as we rushed along, my distinguished companion sat silent and I + did not venture to break in upon his meditations, although there were + questions that I longed to ask him. I wondered if it was Widding’s sudden + death in the Richmond prison that had saddened him. + </p> + <p> + It was not until late that afternoon, when we were far back in the Blue + Ridge Mountains, that Mr. Edison’s face cleared and he spoke with some + freedom of his plans for helping the military situation. + </p> + <p> + “There’s one thing that troubles me,” he reflected as we finished an + excellent meal at the Allegheny Hotel in Staunton, Virginia. “I wonder if—let’s + see! You have met the Crown Prince, you interviewed him, didn’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “Twice,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Is he intelligent—<i>really </i>intelligent? A big open-minded man + or—is he only a prince?” + </p> + <p> + “He’s more than a prince,” I said, “he’s brilliant, but—I don’t know + how open-minded he is.” + </p> + <p> + Edison drummed nervously on the table. + </p> + <p> + “If we were only dealing with a Bismarck or a von Moltke! Anyhow, unless + he’s absolutely narrow and obstinate—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! Where are the Committee of Twenty-one? In Chicago?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And the Crown Prince too?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll be there to-morrow and—listen! We can destroy the German + fleet. Widding’s invention will do it. Poor Widding! It broke his heart to + see America conquered when he knew that he could save the nation if + somebody would only listen to him. But nobody would.” Edison’s deep eyes + burned with anger. “Thank God, I listened.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed like presumption to question Mr. Edison’s statement, yet I + ventured to remind him that several distinguished scientists had declared + that the airship <i>America</i> could not fail to destroy the German + fleet. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” he answered. “I said the <i>America</i> expedition would fail. The + radio-control of torpedoes is uncertain at the best because of + difficulties in following the guide lights. They may be miles away, shut + off by fog or waves; but this thing of Widding’s is sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Has it been tried?” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens! No! If it had been tried the whole world would be using it. + After we destroy the German fleet the whole world will use it.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it some new principle? Some unknown agency?” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “There’s nothing new about it. It’s just a sure way to + make an ordinary Whitehead torpedo hit a battleship.” + </p> + <p> + Although I was consumed with curiosity I did not press for details at this + time and my companion presently relapsed into one of his long silences. + </p> + <p> + We reached Chicago the next afternoon and, as the great inventor left me + to lay his plans before the Committee of Twenty-one, he thanked me + earnestly for what I had done and asked if he could serve me in any way. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you know what I would like?” I laughed. + </p> + <p> + He smiled encouragingly. + </p> + <p> + “Still game? Well, Mr. Langston, if the Committee approves my plan, and I + think they will, you can get ready for another big experience. Take a + comfortable room at the University Club and wait.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. — DECISIVE BATTLE BETWEEN GERMAN FLEET AND AMERICAN + SEAPLANES CARRYING TORPEDOES + </h2> + <p> + I did as he bade me and was rewarded a week later for my faith and + patience. I subsequently learned that this week (the time of my wonderful + experience with Mary Ryerson) was spent by the Committee of Twenty-one in + explaining to the Crown Prince exactly what the Widding-Edison invention + was. Models and blue prints were shown and American and German experts + were called in to explain and discuss all debatable points. And the + conclusion, established beyond reasonable doubt, was that German warships + could not hope to defend themselves against the Widding-Edison method of + torpedo attack. This was admitted by Field Marshal von Hindenburg and by + Professor Hugo Münsterberg, who were allowed to bring scientists of their + own choosing for an absolutely impartial opinion. Unless terms were made + the German fleet faced almost certain destruction. + </p> + <p> + The Crown Prince was torn by the hazards of this emergency. He could not + disregard such a weight of evidence. He knew that, without the support of + her fleet, Germany must abandon her whole campaign in the United States + and withdraw her forces from the soil of America. This meant failure and + humiliation, perhaps revolution at home. The fate of the Hohenzollern + dynasty might hang upon his decision. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he concluded haughtily, “I refuse to yield. If I cable the + Imperial Government in Berlin it will be a strong expression of my wish + that our new army of invasion, under convoy of the German fleet, sail from + Kiel, as arranged, and join in the invasion of America at the earliest + possible moment.” + </p> + <p> + And so it befell. On January 24th a first section of the new German + expedition, numbering 150,000 men, sailed for America. On January 29th our + advance fleet of swift scouting aeroplanes, equipped with wireless and + provisioned for a three days’ cruise, flew forth from Grand Island in the + Niagara River, and, following the St. Lawrence, swept out over the + Atlantic in search of the advancing Teutons. + </p> + <p> + Two days later wireless messages received in Buffalo informed us that + German transports, with accompanying battleships, had been located off the + banks of Newfoundland and on February 1st our main fleet of aeroboats, a + hundred huge seaplanes, equipped with Widding-Edison torpedoes, sailed + away over Lake Erie in line of battle, flying towards the northeast at the + height of half a mile, ready for the struggle that was to settle the fate + of the United States. The prayers of a hundred million Americans went with + them. + </p> + <p> + And now Mr. Edison kept his promise generously by securing for me the + privilege of accompanying him in a great 900-horse-power seaplane from + which, with General Wood, he proposed to witness our attack upon the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + “We may have another passenger,” said the General mysteriously as we + stamped about in our heavy coats on the departure field, for it was a cold + morning. + </p> + <p> + “All aboard,” called out the pilot presently from his glass-sheltered seat + and I had just taken my place in the right hand cabin when the sound of + several swiftly arriving motors drew my attention and, looking out, I was + surprised to see the Crown Prince alighting from a yellow car about which + stood a formal military escort. General Wood stepped forward quickly to + receive His Imperial Highness, who was clad in aviator costume. + </p> + <p> + “Our fourth passenger!” whispered Edison. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean that the Crown Prince is going with us?” + </p> + <p> + The inventor nodded. + </p> + <p> + I learned afterwards that only at the eleventh hour did the imperial + prisoner decide to accept General Wood’s invitation to join this memorable + expedition. + </p> + <p> + “I have come, General,” said the Prince, saluting gravely, “because I feel + that my presence here with you may enable me to serve my country.” + </p> + <p> + “I am convinced Your Imperial Highness has decided wisely,” answered the + commander-in-chief, returning the salute. + </p> + <p> + An hour later, at the head of one of the aerial squadrons that stretched + behind us in a great V, we were flying over snow-covered fields at eighty + miles an hour, headed for the Atlantic and the German fleet. Our + seaplanes, the most powerful yet built of the Curtiss-Wright 1922 model, + carried eight men, including three that I have not mentioned, a wireless + operator, an assistant pilot and a general utility man who also served as + cook. Two cabins offered surprisingly comfortable accommodations, + considering the limited space, and we ate our first meal with keen relish. + </p> + <p> + “We have provisions for how many days?” asked the Crown Prince. + </p> + <p> + “For six days,” said General Wood. + </p> + <p> + “But, surely not oil for six days!” + </p> + <p> + “We have oil for only forty-eight hours of continuous flying, but Your + Imperial Highness must understand that our seaplanes float perfectly on + the ocean, so we can wait for the German fleet as long as is necessary and + then rise again.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince frowned at this and twisted his sandy moustache into sharper + upright points. + </p> + <p> + “When do you expect to sight the German fleet?” + </p> + <p> + “About noon the day after to-morrow. We shall go out to sea sometime in + the night and most of to-morrow we will spend in ocean manoeuvres. Your + Imperial Highness will be interested.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of roaring propellers and my cramped bunk I slept excellently + that night and did not waken until a sudden stopping of the two engines + and a new motion of the seaplane brought me to consciousness. The day was + breaking over a waste of white-capped ocean and we learned that Commodore + Tower, who was in command of our main air squadron, fearing a storm, had + ordered manoeuvres to begin at once so as to anticipate the gale. We were + planing down in great circles, preparing to rest on the water, and, as I + looked to right and left, I saw the sea strangely covered with the great + winged creatures of our fleet, mottle-coloured, that rose and fell as the + green waves tossed them. + </p> + <p> + I should explain that these seaplanes were constructed like catamarans + with twin bodies, enabling them to ride on any sea, and between these + bodies the torpedoes were swung, one for each seaplane, with a simple + lowering and releasing device that could be made to function by the touch + of a lever. The torpedo could be fired from the seaplane either as it + rested on the water or as it skimmed over the water, say at a height of + ten feet, and the released projectile darted straight ahead in the line of + the seaplane’s flight. + </p> + <p> + With great interest we watched the manoeuvres which consisted chiefly in + the practice of signals, in rising from the ocean and alighting again and + in flying in various formations. + </p> + <p> + “From how great a distance do you propose to fire your torpedoes?” the + Crown Prince asked Mr. Edison, speaking through a head-piece to overcome + the noise. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll run our seaplanes pretty close up,” answered the inventor, “so as + to take no chance of missing. I guess we’ll begin discharging torpedoes at + about 1,200 yards.” + </p> + <p> + “But your seaplanes will be shot to pieces by the fire of our + battleships.” + </p> + <p> + “Some will be, but not many. Our attack will be too swift and sudden. It’s + hard to hit an aeroplane going a mile in a minute and, before your gunners + can get the ranges, the thing will be over.” + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” put in General Wood, “every man in our fleet is an American who + has volunteered for duty involving extreme risk. Every man will give his + life gladly.” + </p> + <p> + About ten o’clock in the morning on February 3rd our front line flyers, + miles ahead of us, wirelessed back word that they had sighted the German + fleet, and, a few minutes later, we saw smoke columns rising on the far + eastern horizon. I shall never forget the air of quiet authority with + which General Wood addressed his prisoner at this critical moment. + </p> + <p> + “I must inform Your Imperial Highness that I have sent a wireless message + to the admiral of the German fleet informing him of your presence here as + a voluntary passenger. This seaplane is identified by its signal flags and + by the fact that it carries no torpedo. We shall do everything to protect + Your Imperial Highness from danger.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, sir,” the prince answered stiffly. + </p> + <p> + General Wood withdrew to his place in the observation chamber beside Mr. + Edison. + </p> + <p> + Swiftly we flew nearer to the enemy’s battleships, which were advancing in + two columns, led by two super-dreadnoughts, the <i>Kaiser Friedrich</i> + and the <i>Moltke</i>, with the admiral’s flag at her forepeak and flanked + by lines of destroyers that belched black smoke from their squat funnels. + With our binoculars we saw that there was much confusion on the German + decks as they hastily cleared for action. Our attack had evidently taken + them completely by surprise and they had no flyers ready to dispute our + mastery of the air. + </p> + <p> + Presently General Wood re-entered the cabin. + </p> + <p> + “I have a wireless from Commodore Tower saying that everything is ready. + Before it is too late I appeal to Your Imperial Highness to prevent the + destruction of these splendid ships and a horrible loss of life. Will Your + Highness say the word?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” answered the Crown Prince harshly. + </p> + <p> + General Wood turned to the cabin window and nodded to the assistant pilot, + who dropped overboard a signal smoke ball that left behind, as it fell, a + greenish spiral trail. Straightway, the Commodore’s seaplane, a mile + distant, broke out a line of flags whereupon six flyers from six different + points leaped ahead like sky hounds on the scent, shooting forward and + downward towards their mighty prey. The remainder of the sky fleet circled + away at safe distances of three, four or five miles, waiting the result of + this first blow, confident that the <i>Moltke</i> was doomed. + </p> + <p> + Doomed she was. In vain the great battleship turned her guns, big and + little, against these snarling, swooping creatures of the air that came at + her like darting vultures all at once from many sides, but swerved at the + twelve hundred yard line and took her broadside on with their torpedoes, + fired them and were gone. + </p> + <p> + Six white paths streaked the ocean beneath us marking the course of six + torpedoes and three of them found their target. Three of them missed, but + that was because the gunners were excited. There is no more excuse for a + torpedo missing a dreadnought at a thousand yards than there is for a + pistol missing a barn door at twenty feet! + </p> + <p> + The <i>Moltke</i> began to sink almost immediately. Through our glasses we + watched her putting off life boats and we saw that scarcely half of them + had been launched when she lurched violently to starboard and went down by + the head. Her boats, led by one flying the admiral’s flag, made for the + sister dreadnought, but had not covered a hundred yards when Commodore + Tower signalled again and six other seaplanes darted into action and, by + the same swift manosuvres, sank the <i>Kaiser Friedrich</i>. + </p> + <p> + In this action we lost two seaplanes. + </p> + <p> + Now General Wood, white-faced, re-entered the cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Has Your Imperial Highness anything to say?” asked the American + commander. + </p> + <p> + Silent and rigid sat the heir to the German throne, his hands clenched, + his nostrils dilating, his lips hard shut. + </p> + <p> + “If not,” continued General Wood, “I shall, with great regret, signal + Commodore Tower to sink that transport, which means, I fear, the loss of + many thousands of German lives.” He pointed to an immense dark grey vessel + of about the tonnage of the <i>Vaterland</i>. + </p> + <p> + The Crown Prince neither answered nor stirred and again the American + Commander nodded to the assistant pilot. Once more the smoke ball fell, + the signal of attack was given and a third group of seaplanes sped forward + on their deadly mission. The men aboard this enormous transport equalled + in numbers the entire male population of fighting age in a city like New + Haven and of these not twenty were saved. And we lost two more seaplanes. + </p> + <p> + We had now used eighteen of our hundred available torpedoes and had sunk + three ships of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the sun’s glory burst through a rift in the dull sky, + whereupon our fleet, welcoming the omen, threw forth the stars and stripes + from every flyer and sailed nearer the stricken fleet hungry for further + victories. I counted twenty transports and half a dozen battleships. + Proudly we circled over them, knowing that our power of destruction meant + safety and honour for America. + </p> + <p> + In the observation chamber General Wood watched, frowning while the + wireless crackled out another message from Commodore Tower. Where should + we strike next? + </p> + <p> + In the cabin sat the Crown Prince, his face like marble and the anguish of + death in his heart. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, a little thing happened that turned Frederick William towards a + decision which practically ended the war. The little thing was a burst of + music from the <i>Koenig Albert</i>, steaming at the head of the nearer + battleship column two miles distant. On she came, shouldering great waves + from her bows while hundreds of blue-jackets lined her rails as if to + salute or defy the tragic fate hanging over them. + </p> + <p> + As General Wood appeared once more before his tortured prisoner, there + floated over the sea the strains of “Die Wacht Am Rhein,” whereupon up on + his feet came the Crown Prince and, head bared, stood listening to this + great hymn of the Fatherland, while tears streamed down his face. + </p> + <p> + “I yield,” he said in broken tones. “I cannot stand out any longer. I will + do as you wish, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “My terms are unconditional surrender,” said the American commander, “to + be followed by a truce for peace negotiations. Does Your Imperial Highness + agree to unconditional surrender?” + </p> + <p> + “Those are harsh terms. In our talk at Chicago Your Excellency only asked + that I prevent this expedition from sailing. I am ready to order the + expedition back to Germany.” + </p> + <p> + General Wood shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Conditions are different now. Your Imperial Highness refused my Chicago + suggestion and chose the issue of battle which has turned in our favour. + To the victors belong the spoils. These battleships are our prizes of war. + These German soldiers in the troopships are our prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” protested the Prince. “Do you think five hundred men in + aeroplanes can make prisoners of a hundred and fifty thousand in + battleships?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir,” declared General Wood with grim finality. “There’s a + perfectly safe prison—down below.” He glanced into the green abyss + above which we were soaring. “I must ask Your Imperial Highness to decide + quickly. The Commodore is waiting.” + </p> + <p> + Every schoolboy knows what happened then, how the Prince, in this crisis, + turned from grief to defiance, how he dared General Wood to do his worst, + how the American commander sank the <i>Koenig Albert</i> and two more + transports in the next half hour with a loss of five seaplanes, and how, + finally, Frederick William, seeing that the entire German expedition would + be annihilated, surrendered absolutely and ran up the stars and stripes + above German dreadnoughts, transports and destroyers. For the first time + in history an insignificant air force had conquered a great fleet. The + Widding-Edison invention had made good. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I need not dwell upon details of the German-American Peace Conference + which occupied the month of February, 1922. These are matters of familiar + record. The country went from one surprise to another as Germany yielded + point after point of her original demands. Under no circumstances would + she withdraw her armies from the soil of America unless she received a + huge indemnity, but at the end of a week she agreed to withdraw without + any indemnity. Firmly she insisted that the United States must abrogate + the Monroe Doctrine, but she presently waived this demand and agreed that + the Monroe Doctrine might stand. Above all she stood out for the + neutralisation of the Panama Canal. Here she would not yield, but at the + close of the conference she did yield and on February 22nd, 1922, Germany + signed the treaty of Pittsburg which gave her only one advantage, namely, + the repossession of her captured fleet. + </p> + <p> + It was not until a fortnight later, after the invading transports had + sailed for home and the last German soldier had left America, that we + understood why the enemy had dealt with us so graciously. On March 4th, + 1922, the news burst upon the world that France and Russia, smarting under + the inconclusive results of the Great War, had struck again at the Central + Empires, and we saw that Germany had abandoned her invasion of America not + because of our air victory, but because she found herself involved in + another European war. She was glad to leave the United States on any + terms. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later in Washington (now happily restored as the national + capital) I was privileged to hear General Wood’s great speech before a + joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The + discussion was on national preparedness and I thrilled as the general rose + to answer various Western statesmen who opposed a defence plan calling for + large appropriations on the ground that, in the present war with Germany + and in her previous wars, America had always managed to get through + creditably without a great military establishment and always would. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” replied General Wood, “let us be honest with ourselves in + regard to these American wars that we speak of so complacently, these wars + that are presented in our school books as great and glorious. How great + were they? How glorious were they? Let us have the truth. + </p> + <p> + “Take our War of the Revolution. Does any one seriously maintain that this + was a great war? It was not a war at all. It was a series of skirmishes. + It was the blunder of a stupid English king, who never had the support of + the English people. Our revolutionary armies decreased each year and, but + for the interposition of the French, our cause, in all probability, would + have been lost. + </p> + <p> + “And the war of 1812? Was that great and glorious? Why did we win? Because + we were isolated by the Atlantic Ocean (which in these days of steam no + longer isolates us) and because England was occupied in a death struggle + with Napoleon. + </p> + <p> + “In our Civil War both North and South were totally unprepared. If either + side at the start had had an efficient army of 100,000 men that side would + have won overwhelmingly in the first six months. + </p> + <p> + “Our war with Spain in 1898 was a joke, a pitiful exhibition of + incompetency and unreadiness in every department. We only won because + Spain was more unprepared than we were. And as to our great naval victory, + the truth is that the Spanish fleet destroyed itself. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, we have never had a real war in America. This invasion by + Germany was the beginning of a real war, but that has now been + marvellously averted. Through extraordinary good fortune we have been + delivered from this peril, just as, by extraordinary good fortune, we + gained some successes over the Germans, like the battle of the Susquehanna + and our recent seaplane victory, successes that were largely accidental + and could never be repeated. + </p> + <p> + “I assure you, gentlemen, it is madness for us to count upon continued + deliverance from the war peril because in the past we have been lucky, + because in the past wide seas have guarded us, because in the past our + enemies have quarrelled among themselves, or because American + resourcefulness and ingenuity have been equal to sudden emergencies. To + permanently base our hopes of national safety and integrity upon such + grounds is to choose the course adopted by China and to invite for our + descendants the humiliating fate that finally overwhelmed China, which + nation has now had a practical suzerainty forced upon her by a much + smaller power. + </p> + <p> + “There is only one way for America to be safe from invasion and that is + for America to be ready for it. We are not ready today, we never have been + ready, yet war may smite us at any time with all its hideous slaughter and + devastation. Our vast possessions constitute the richest, the most + tempting prize on earth, and no words can measure the envy and hatred that + less rich and less favoured nations feel against us.” + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, our duty is plain and urgent. We must be prepared against + aggression. We must save from danger this land that we love, this great + nation built by our fathers. We must have, what we now notoriously lack, a + sufficient army, a satisfactory system of military training, battleships, + aeroplanes, submarines, munition plants, all that is necessary to uphold + the national honour so that when an unscrupulous enemy strikes at us and + our children he will find us ready. If we are strong we shall, in all + probability, avoid war, since the choice between war and arbitration will + then be ours.” + </p> + <p> + Scenes of wild enthusiasm followed this appeal of the veteran commander, + not only at the Capitol, but all over the land when his words were made + public. At last America had learned her bitter lesson touching the folly + of unpreparedness, the iron had entered her soul and now, in 1922, the + people’s representatives were quick to perform a sacred duty that had been + vainly urged upon them in 1916. Almost unanimously (even Senators William + Jennings Bryan and Henry Ford refused to vote against preparedness) both + houses of Congress declared for the fullest measure of national defence. + It was voted that we have a strong and fully manned navy with 48 + dreadnoughts and battle cruisers in proportion. It was voted that we have + scout destroyers and sea-going submarines in numbers sufficient to balance + the capital fleet. It was voted that we have an aerial fleet second to + none in the world. It was voted that we have a standing army of 200,000 + men with 45,000 officers, backed by a national force of citizens trained + in arms under a universal and obligatory one-year military system. It was + voted, finally, that we have adequate munition plants in various parts of + the country, all under government control and partly subsidised under + conditions assuring ample munitions at any time, but absolutely preventing + private monopolies or excessive profits in the munition manufacturing + business. + </p> + <p> + This was declared to be—and God grant it prove to be—America’s + insurance against future wars of invasion, against alien arrogance and + injustice, against a foreign flag over this land. + </p> + <h3> + FINIS + </h3> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Conquest of America, by Cleveland Moffett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CONQUEST OF AMERICA *** + +***** This file should be named 8684-h.htm or 8684-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/8/8684/ + + +Text file produced by Suzanne Shell, Beginners Projects, Mary Meehan +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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