THE END OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 110, 19 November 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE END OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

(By S. CORNELIUS.). This is a sensational and exaggerated presentment of remote possibilities, yet it has to do with a subject that tills the newspapers and is the most pressing topic of general conversation throughout the country. The author (says the New York "World") is a United States Army officer of wide experience stationed at a post in the vicinity of New York. Because the President has forbidden officers of the army and navy to write about the war for publication his identity is cloaked under a nom de plume. His position and the fact that several of his associates of higher rank have passed on his nianuscriptjustifies serious attention to the warning that is here set forth in such spectacular details. In what -position the United States will be after the war that is now convulsing Europe i 6 over, is a subject that now concerns the best minds in the nation. The gold of the Allied nations is being emptied into our strong boxes. We are the chief beneficiary of their troubles and are rapidly becoming the richest nation of the earth. May we not well become the mark of the world's envy? A courious confirmation of the possibilities iuherent in Mr. Cornelious's fable occure in a letter recently published in a New York paper by William T. Hornaday,

the well-known author-naturalist, director of the Bronx Zoological Park of New York City. He quotes a forecast alleged to have been made by an eminent diplomatio representative of one of the belligerent Powers during the SpanisuAmerican War of IS'JS: — "About lilteen years from now, declared Count , "my country will start her great war. Everytluug will move like clockworK. \\-o will be prepared and others will not be prepared. 1 speak ol iiiib because 01 tue connection it wnl nave witu your own country. Some uioutns alter we huisn our worn iu Europe we w.JI taKo iNew a

lorK and prooauiy HasMngton, and hoiu them lor some time. \>o will put your country xn its place witu reiereuce to tne world I'owers. Me do not propose to lane any new territory, out we uo intend to wue a billion dollars or more from i\ew lork and other places. About lilteen years irom now remember it, and it will inter. . est you."

At the close of the great European war two distinguished statesmen, representatives oi. the victors and the vanquished, met in a villa near Berne, Switzerland, with lull powers to offer and accept terms of peace on behalf of all the nations involved.

The newspapers could give only such news as the envoys chose to make public. 1 can tell what actually occurred at the momentous meeting. A dictopkono had been cleverly concealed beneath the tabic at which the pea'ce commission were to sit, and in the dark cellar below an ambitious young journalist my own brother tooK. down in shorthand every word uttered. Hastening back to the United states with his portentious secret, he was washed overboard during a storm at sea. The stenographic notes, concealed in his luggage, eventually came into my possession, but too late to give any warning of the plot against our country. Adding no comments of my own, I simply give the transcription of such parts of the varbatim report as affect the story to follow herewith.

AFTER THE EUROPEAN WAR. After the representative of the victorious nations bad read the proposed terms (which everyone now knows) the other commissiener said:— " Your conditions as to surrender of territory, reduction of armies, and engagement not to increase our navies during the specified period, we will accept—because wo must. But it would bo impossible to pay tho 10,000,000,000 dollars (£2,000,000,000) indemnity in any reasonable time without most seriously crippling our respective Governments in their necessary work of reconstruction. However," he continued, after a, pause, "1 can promise ono-half of the sum in a mouth, and the remainder in five years, provided talit you will keep our plan secret, and that you will raise no objection to our forcibly collecting this money from tho United States."

"1 am sure," replied tl«e younger coninii&ioner, " that noue of the Powers which I have tho honour of representing will place obstacles in your way, since America Ity hfer weird policy of remaining neutral during our way lost every friend she, ever had on this side of tho water. But as she ifi now the richest nation on earth (though this would not he suspected from the parsimonious treatment of her army and navy), 1 cannot help woudoring if, after your lato gigantic

struggle, you are ready for a new war even with sitoh an unprotected nation." Then the older envoy laughed.

"Why, they have made it so easy for us that, to use one of their Yankee expressions, 'lt's just like taking candy from a baby.' A few of their big men were alive to the national danger, and for a time it seemed as if the whole people must be aroused to a realisation of their defenceless condition. But as Congress vapoured about 'necessary economy' and 'citizen soldiery,' the army was not appreciably increased. And now, by striking promptly and availing ourselves of the element of surprise, we should experience little difficulty in subjugating the republic.

"FORCE UNITED STATES TO PAY

INDEMNITY."

"The Americans," he went on, "are all for peace. And this condition, so favourable to their enemies, has been brought about by many and divers agencies, a few of which I may indicate.

"There are some who, for goodness knows what reason, honestly believe that they will never have a war. One citizen has given a large slice of the fortune he made by selling armourplate at extortionate prices for the furtherance of a 'peace at any price' propaganda. Others, retaining vague recollections of the one-sided accounts of previous wars grren in their school histories are convinced that battles can be won against trained troops by armies raised 'overnight.' " Many Congressmen, moreover (their patriotic speeches to the contrary notwithstanding), in reality care nothing for their country. Being rn-

terested in spending the public where it will do them the most private good, they oppose appropriations for national defence, while spending millions on unnecessary postr-officee, or deepening useless streams which drain nothing except the Treasury. ''There aro also a certain number who, although they do not know or care just where the money comes horn, are really on our pay-rolls and carry out orders in thwarting a proper preparation against future war—at the samo time voting enormous pension bills for the victims of former unpreparedness. "During our war, by selling to us arms and munitions (for you and l now know that they sold to both sides, though some deliveries were rather indirect) which were needed by their own army, the Americans made vast sums of money. But now—amusing thought—they must return it all to Europe, augmented by several billion dollars. Perhaps wio hardest blow for them to bear wi.ll como with the realisation, when it is too lato, that by allowing politics to interfere with military requirements they have brought disaster upon themselves." The poace commissioners then signed the necessary papers, and this conference, so momentous to the United States, was brought to an end.

WASHINGTON GETS DECLARA-

TION OF WAR

Two weeks later a dispute with one of the belligerents concerning neutrality, which had arisen during the war, suddenly revived, and a sharp demand was made upon the Washington Government for a money indemnity. Our Presideut returned a note "firm but dignified in tone," and Washington awaited the reply with utmost composure.

But, instead of the usual diplomatic negotiations, the receipt of a formal Declaration of War caused the greatest consternation throughout the land. Our condition of practical military impotence was realised at last. The fact that we had only an inadequate navy •and an army which, excellent as far as it went, was too small to go any distance, at length dawned upon us. The press frantically demanded to knowwhy Congress had not provided for a war emergency, and refused to be quieted, as formerly, by talk of "necessary economy." Now enormous appropriations were voted, volunteers called for, arms and munition factories set in operation, and a fever of preparation developed. ' But the time tor preparation had passed'. The fleet was hurriedly mobilised at New York. News spreading almost immediately of enemy battleships seen off the coast of Maine, as many of her own cruisers and dreadnoughts as could bo manned were despatched. It wa* even hoped they might repeat the glorious exploits of the Spanish-American war.

OUH PROUD NAVY ANNIHILATED.

On the second day the enemy was sighted. After some long-range firing, several of tlio'f shi|is were seen to be in trouble. They urre enveloped ill dense smok<\ and presently all started in full retreat.

"Another Santiago!" was the err, ai the chase began. And, just as U> years before, the vessels of our licet, being of various speeds, were soon strung out in tho pursuit. From now on, alas! history fails to repeat itself. Owing to the great range the enemy was really uninjured, the smoke having come liut from burn-

ing Snips, but from great kettles of tar slung over their sides. Swarms of modern submarines had been left behind. These submarines sank most of our heavily-armed dreadnoughts, while strings of floating mines disposed of many others. Since the enemy fleet consisted entirely of swift battle-cruisers and we had none, it was able to keep beyo;i3 the range of our remaining ships, while steadily battering them to pieces with its heavier guae. Thus, in a few brief hours the heterogeneous navy of which we had been so proud was practically wiped out*

FOREIGN ARMY LANDS AT ATLANTIC CITY. The same morning, before daylight, several infantry brigades had been landed from launches (the sea being calm) to the north and south of Atlantic City, N.J. The enemy promptly surrounded the seaside pleasure capital, cut all telegraph and telephone lines, prevented trains from leaving, and took possession of the thousands of motor cars, trucks, and delivery wagons within its limits. Soon long lines of captured automobiles fiilled with armed men and machine guns were speeding in the direction of Philadelphia, dropping off detachments to cut wires and guard the railway tracks. Likewise, at dawn, numberless transports, convoyed by dreadnoughts, had steamed slowly inshore. The lighter draft vessels were able to tie up to some of the 57 varieties of piers, where they unloaded ammunition and powerful field guns with their motor tractors, while the soldiers were quickly landed by 6mall boats.

Thanks to their wonderful organisation and system, in an incredibly short time trains packed with artillery and men followed the army which had gone ahead by motor. Camden, being unarmed, was taken almost without opposition, and advance parties captured the bridge over the JJclawaro and all the ferry boats. THE LOOTING OF PHILADELPHIA I

But where wa6 the militia ? We had placed great dependence upon our National Guard. Ite failure, in the events about to follow, to make any organised resistance was due to treachery. Early that morning nearly every armory from Maine to California had been quietly entered by spies who were members of the militia and who, a 6 "trusted employees," had access to all the State arsenals. They placed powerful bombs among the arms and ammunition, lighted long fuses, and, at about 4 a.m., Eastern time, the National Guard of our entire country was virtually without weapons.

To return to Camden. Trains were rapidly unloaded and the artillery placed on concrete gun platforms whicn had long been prepared for the purpose disguised as tennis courte or the basements of flimsy buildings, whicli were now destroyed. And it is to be noted that in every instance brass plates giving correct ranges and directions were found set into these foundations.

Firing began at once. The citizens of Philadelphia were subjected to such a reign of terror as Americans had never dreamed of. The bursting of high explosive shells wrought most awful devastation.

Infantry soon crossed the river, and entering what had once been the " City of Brotherly Love," but was now a City of Enemy Hate, proceeded to the looting of the Mint and the principal banks. The conquerors blew open the vaults and sent a billion or more of gold back to the ships waiting off Atlantic City.

THE CAPTURE OF NEW YORK. At early morn on this day of horror a cloud of hydroplanes suddenly 6wept in from the over Sandy Hook, dropped hundreds of bombs, utterly demolishing the fortifications. Then, while their airships flew north and succeeded, though at considerable loss' from rifle fire, in blowing up Fort Wadsworth and such war vessels as were st'll at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the transports from which they had been launched sailed into Jamaica unmolested by the now silenced Fort Hancock.

Next, a division luiuliug on Long Island attacked Fort Hamilton, from the real*.

The whole invading army could now have reached New York by land. But, as the harbour had not yet been mined, to save time the ships steamed up the Bay and opened fire on Manhattan. Unlike the Pennsylvania bombardment, this one did not greatly damage the empire metropolis. The enemy communicated with the Mayor and members ol the local government, who, having learned of Philadelphia's fate, were onlv too glad to buy immunity from destruction with 3 000,000,000d01. (£600,000,000) taken from the SubTreasury and various banks.

In the meantime, protected by tho warships 1 guns, most of the army land, cd at the Jersey City and Hoboken piers and, hoarding passenger, subway, and freight ca/s, was toon on its way

tojoin the force that started souta from Philadelphia.

THE ENEMY REACHES WASHINGTON.

The outskirts of Washington were reached the next morning. Although fnenzied news ot the awtul events on sea and land during the past 24 hours had been received, the combined armies were hardly expected so soon at the gates of the Nation's Capital. Soon afterward an officer of the invading army in civilian clothes stepped from a racing car at the entrance to the White House. Stating Ins mission, the envoy was invited to appear before the Cabinet, which had been hurriedly called to take the extraordinary situation in hand.

Noticing the newspapers spread out on the long table, the envoy began, very quietly:— "Gentlemen, 1 see you have read this morning's extras. Doubtless you consider that their reports are greatly exaggerated. I trust you will believe me when 1 announce, solemnly, that such is not the case. This city is now surrounded on three 6ides by over 200,000 well trained soldiers, though we hardly need so many. Your militia, here and throughout the United States, has been deprived of its arms. Your few 2in. guns were eliminated half nn hour ago. We have the precise i anges of all your public buildings and can demolish this city and all that it contains whenever we wish." WASHINGTON BOWS TO THE INEVITABLE. Noting that some of his hearers did not seem sufficiently impressed, the masterly foreigner proposed this test: " Kindly designate any structure you may select, and if it remains standing ten minutes after I have notified headquarters I promise that our troops shall immediately withdraw." There was a brief conference, and then the President announced:— "In order to avoid loss of life we have selected the Washington jlonument for your test." Receiving permission, the visitor raised the nearest telephone, gave a suburban number, and, ascertaining that the desired party was on the wire, said "Monument." All looked at their watches. In less than six minutes they were startled by a series of terrifnc explosions. A horr;fied clerk rushed into the room shouting:— "Word is just received that Washington Monument has been destroyed!" Turning to the petrified Cabinet, the officer resumed: —

"I trust that you are satisfied, gentlemen. And now to business.

"We fully realise that, if given six months' time, you could produce quite a respectable army, though even then you would be woefully weak in field artillery. But time is the one thing we will not give you. in.two weeks we will have over half a million men on your snores, witu as many more iu ioiiow, it necessary. Me will simply sweep across your laud, leaving aevablatiou and ueatu bemud us, and your haudiui oi scattered regulars can make uo appreciable resstauce. Iso Jiuropcau uation womd Help you, even were there time to Uo bo. lour oniy nope ot salvation is to make terms witli us, ana make them quicKiy. "'time terms arc 2,0U0,000,000d01. (£iW,()W,W)) in gold jmmediately; one billion dollars annually for an indefinite period; an engagement not to increase your army or navy, and an understanding that you will suppress any '±*racticai Patriotism.' Suuicient truopo to superintend ibe execution tf matters will be kit with you. 11 any ot the conditions are violated we win return and show no mercy."

Placing on the table a typewritten copy ol Hie terms, lie resumed : "1 beg to suggest that you will present tins matter to Congress as quickly and forcibly as possiulc, since but ftve hours will be allowed tor deliberation."

A PROSTRATE NATION. The scenes in Congress, which was called into joint session during the next five hours, will be long remembered. The Secretary of War and the Secretary ot the Navy were called upon to state what might yet be possible in the way of national defence, both decleareu, with tears in their eyes, that it was "now too late to do anything.' 7

Little by little the crushing truth as to their country's utter helplessness was comprehended by those present, luey knew that talk was useless. The silence of despaT pervaded the great hall. All eyes sought the clock. The alloted time grew less and less. There appeared no miraculous escape from the inevitable.

The odious humiliating terms were accepted. In a fortnight the enemy, excepting the alien guard, sailed away, leaving behind a prostrate natiou. The end of American independence had come.