Banzai! by Parabellum

by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff

  _Chapter XXI_

  DARK SHADOWS

  Autumn had come, and all was serene at the seat of war, except for a fewinsignificant skirmishes. Slowly, far more slowly than the impatience ofour people could stand, the new bodies of troops were prepared foraction, and before we could possibly think of again assuming theoffensive, winter was at the door.

  In the middle of November, three Japanese orderlies, bearing a whiteflag of truce, rode up to our outposts, and a few days later it waslearned from Washington that the enemy had offered to make peace, theterms of which, however, remained a mystery for a short time, until theywere ultimately published in the capital.

  The States of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California were to becomeJapanese possessions, but at the same time continue as members of theUnion. They were to have Japanese garrisons and to permit Japaneseimmigration; the strength of the garrisons was to be regulated later. Inthe various State legislatures and in the municipal administration halfthe members were to be Americans and half Japanese. If these terms wereaccepted, Japan would relinquish all claim to further immigration ofJapanese to the other States of the Union. The United States was to payJapan a war-indemnity of two billion dollars, in installments, exclusiveof the sums previously levied in the Pacific States. San Francisco wasto be Japan's naval port on the Pacific coast, and the navy-yard andarsenals located there were to pass into the hands of the Japanese. ThePhilippines, Hawaii and Guam were to be ceded to Japan.

  A universal cry of indignation resounded from the Atlantic to theRockies in answer to these humiliating terms of peace. To acknowledgedefeat and keep the enemy in the country, would be sealing the doom ofAmerican honor with a stroke of the pen. No! anything but that! Let usfight on at any price! At thousands of mass meetings the same cry washeard: Let us fight on until the last enemy has been driven out of thecountry.

  But what is public opinion? Nothing more than the naive feeling of themasses of yesterday, to-day and perhaps the day after to-morrow. Theterrible sacrifices claimed by the war had not been without effect. Ofcourse there was no hesitation on the part of the old American citizensnor of the German, Scandinavian and Irish settlers--they would allremain faithful to the Star Spangled Banner. But the others, thethousands and hundreds of thousands of Romanic and Slavonic descent, theItalian and Russian proletariat, and the scum of the peoples of AsiaMinor, all these elements, who regarded the United States merely as apromising market for employment and not as a home, were of a differentopinion.

  And these elements of the population now demanded the reestablishment ofopportunities for profitable employment, insisting upon their rights asnaturalized citizens, which had been so readily accorded them. Scarcelyhad the first storm of indignation passed, when other public meetingsbegan to be held--loud, stormy demonstrations, which usually ended in agrand street row--and to this were added passionate appeals from theSocialist leaders to accept Japan's terms and conclude peace, in orderthat the idle laborer might once more return to work.

  And this feeling spread more and more and gradually became a force inpublic life and in the press, and unfortunately the agitation was notentirely without effect on those elements of the population whoseAmerican citizenship was not yet deeply rooted. However indignant thebetter elements may have felt at first over this cowardly desertion ofthe flag, the continual repetition of such arguments evokedfaint-hearted considerations of the desirability of peace in everwidening circles.

  The fighting of our troops on the plateaus of the Rocky Mountains nolonger formed the chief topic of conversation, but rather the profferedterms of peace, which were discussed before the bars, on the street, atmeetings, and in the family-circle.

  Scarcely a fortnight after the presentation of the Japanese offer ofpeace, two bitterly hostile parties confronted each other in the Union:the one gathered round the country's flag full of determination andenthusiasm, the other was willing to sacrifice the dollar on the altarof Buddha.

  And other forces were also at work. Enthusiastic preachers arose innumerous sects and religious denominations, applying the mysteriousrevelations of the prophet of Patmos--revelations employed in all agesfor the forging of mystic weapons--to the events of the time. In the dimlight of evening meetings they spoke of the "beast with the seven heads"to whom was given power "over all kindreds, tongues and nations," andfanatical men and women came after months of infinite misery andhopeless woe to look upon the occupant of the White House as theAntichrist. They conceived it their bounden duty to oppose his will, andquite gradually these evening prayer-meetings began to influence ourpeople to such a degree that the Japanese terms were no longer regardedas insulting, and peace without honor was preferred to a continuance ofthe fight to the bitter end. Had God really turned the light of hiscountenance from us?

  While the enemy was waiting for an answer to his message, the voices athome became louder and louder in their demands for the conclusion ofpeace and the acceptance of the enemy's terms. The sound common-senseand the buoyant patriotism of those who had their country's interestsclose at heart struggled in vain against the selfish doctrine of thosewho preferred to vegetate peacefully without one brave effort forfreedom. Our whole past history, replete with acts of bravery andself-sacrifice, seemed to be disappearing in the horrors of night.

  And while the socialist agitators were goading on the starving workmeneverywhere to oppose the continuation of the war, while innumerableforces were apparently uniting to retire the God of War, who determinesthe fate of nations on bloody fields, there remained at least onepossibility of clearing the sultry atmosphere: a battle. But how daredwe continue the fight before our armies were absolutely prepared tobegin the attack, how dared we attempt what would no doubt prove thedecisive battle before we were certain of success? The battle of Hilgardfurnished an eloquent reply. The War Department said no, it said no witha heavy heart; weeks must pass, weeks must be borne and overcome, beforewe could assume the offensive once more.

  The Japanese terms of peace were therefore declined. At the seat of warskirmishes continued to take place, the soldiers freezing in their thincoats, while restless activity was shown in all the encampments.

  * * * * *

  Extras were being sold on the streets of Washington, telling of a navalengagement off the Argentine coast. They were eagerly bought and read,but no one believed the news, for we had lost hope and faith. Excitedcrowds had collected in front of the Army and Navy building in the hopeof obtaining more detailed news; but no one could give any information.An automobile suddenly drew up in front of the south side of the longbuilding, before the entrance to the offices of the Committee on ForeignAffairs.

  The Secretary of State, who had not been able to get the President by'phone at the White House but learned that he was somewhere in the navalbarracks, had decided to look him up. Scarcely had he entered his car,before he was surrounded by hundreds of people clamoring forverification of the news from Buenos Ayres. He declared again and againthat he knew nothing more than what he had just read in the extras, butno one believed him. Several policemen cleared the way in front of thepuffing machine, which at last managed to get clear of the crowd, but afew blocks further on the chauffeur was again compelled to stop.

  An immense mob was pouring out of a side street, where they had justsmashed the windows of the offices of a socialist newspaper, which hadsupplemented the Argentine dispatch with spiteful comments under theheadlines: "Another Patriotic Swindle."

  The Secretary of State told the chauffeur to take a different route tothe naval barracks, and this order saved his life, for as he bentforward to speak to the chauffeur, the force of an explosion threw himagainst the front seat. Behind him, on the upper edge of the rear seat,a bomb had exploded with a burst of blinding white light. The secretary,whose coat was torn by some splinters of glass, stood up and showedhimself to the multitude.

  "Murder, murder," yelled the mob, "down with the assassin." And thesecretary saw them seize a degenerate-looking wretc
h and begin poundinghim with their fists. After a little while he was thrown to the ground,but was dragged up again and at last, as the chauffeur was guiding hiscar backwards through the crowd, the secretary heard a man say:

  "Thank God, they've strung him up on a lamp-post!"

  The mob had administered quick justice.

  Utterly exhausted by this experience, the Secretary of State returned tohis home, where he gave orders that the President should be informed atonce of what had occurred.

  The servant had scarcely left the secretary's study when his wifeentered. She threw her arms passionately around his neck and refused tobe quieted. "It's all right, Edith, I haven't been scratched."

  "But you'll be killed the next time," she sobbed.

  "It makes but little difference, Edith, whether I die here on thepavement or out yonder on the battle-field: we must all die at our postsif need be. Death may come to us any day here as well as there, but,"and freeing himself from his wife's embrace, he walked to his desk andpointed to a picture of Abraham Lincoln hanging over it, saying, "if Ifall as that man fell, there are hundreds who are ready to step into myshoes without the slightest fuss and with the same solemn sense ofduty."

  A servant entered and announced that the British Ambassador asked to bereceived by the secretary. "One minute," was the answer, "ask HisExcellency to wait one minute."

  The sound of many voices could be heard outside. The secretary walked tothe window and looked out.

  "Look," he said to his wife, "there are some people at least who areglad that the bomb failed to accomplish its purpose." His appearance atthe window was a signal for loud cheers from the people on the street.Holding the hand of his faithful wife in his own, he said: "Edith, Iknow we are on the right road. We can read our destiny only in the starson our banner. There is only one future for the United States, only one,that beneath the Stars and Stripes, and not a single star must bemissing--neither that of Washington, nor that of Oregon, nor that ofCalifornia. We had a hard fight to establish our independence, and theinheritance of our fathers we must ever cherish as sacred andinviolable. The yellow men have won their place in the world by aninexorable sense of national duty, and we can conquer them only if weemploy the same weapons. I know what we have at stake in this war, and Iam quite ready to answer to myself and to our people for each life loston the field of battle. I am only one of many, and if I fall, it will bein the knowledge that I have done my duty. Let the cowardly mob stepover my corpse, it won't matter to me nor to my successor if he willonly hold our drooping flag with a firm hand. The favor of the people ishere to-day and gone to-morrow, and we must not be led astray by it. Theblind creatures who inspired that miserable wretch to hurl the bombregard us, the bearers of responsible posts, with the same feelings asthe lions do their tamer when he enters the cage. If he comes out alive,well and good; if he is torn to pieces it makes no difference, forthere'll be some one else to take his place the next day. It is my dutyto fight against desertion in our own ranks and to shield Americancitizenship against the foreign elements gathered here who have nofatherland, and to whom the Stars and Stripes have no deeper meaningthan a piece of cloth; that is the duty, in the performance of which Ishall live or die."

  Mad cheers from below induced the secretary to open the window, andimmediately the sounds of the "Star Spangled Banner" came floating upfrom thousands of throats. Suddenly his wife touched his arm saying:"James, here's a telegram."

  The secretary turned around and literally tore the telegram out of theservant's hand. He ran his eye over it hurriedly and then drew a deepbreath. And with tears in his eyes at the almost incredible news, hesaid softly to his wife:

  "This will deliver us from the dark slough of despair."

  Then he returned to the window, but his emotion made it impossible forhim to speak; he made a sign with his hand and gradually the noise ofthe crowd ceased and all became still.

  "Fellow Citizens," began the secretary, "I have just this momentreceived--" Loud cheers interrupted him, but quiet was soon restored,and then in a clear voice he read the following dispatch:

  "Bahia Blanca, December 8: The torpedo-destroyer _Paul Jones_ arrived here this morning with the following message from Admiral Dayton: 'On the 4th of December I found the Japanese cruisers _Adzuma_ and _Asama_ and three destroyers coaling in the harbor of Port Stanley (Falkland Islands). I demanded of the British authorities that the Japanese ships be forced to leave the harbor at once, as I should otherwise be obliged to attack them in the harbor on the morning of the following day. On the afternoon of the 4th I opened fire on the Japanese ships four miles outside of Port Stanley. After an hour's fighting all five Japanese ships were sunk. On our side the destroyer _Dale_ was sunk. Total loss, 180 men. Damaged cruiser _Maryland_ sent to Buenos Ayres. Sighted the Japanese cruisers _Idzumo_, _Tokiwa_, _Jakumo_ and four destroyers at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan on the morning of December 6th. Pursued them with entire fleet. Battle with the _Idzumo_ and _Tokiwa_ at noon, in which former was sunk. Battle temporarily suspended on account of appearance of two hostile battleships. Destroyers keeping in touch with the Japanese squadron.'

  DAYTON."

  Perfect silence greeted these words; no one seemed able to believe thenews of this American victory: the first joyful tidings after almostnine months of constant adversity. But then the enthusiasm of the peoplebroke loose in a perfect hurricane that swept everything before it. Inthe rear the crowd began to thin out rapidly, for everybody was anxiousto spread the glad tidings of victory, but their places were soon takenby others pouring in from all sides to hear the telegram read once more.

  And now on the opposite side of 17th Street the American flag suddenlyran up the bare flagstaff on the roof of the Winders Building, unfurlingwith a rustle in the fresh breeze. The secretary pointed up to it, andat once the jubilant crowd joined once more in the air of the "StarSpangled Banner."

  "This is a day," said the secretary, taking his wife's hand, "which ourcountry will never forget. But now I must get to work and then I'm offto the President."

  As his wife left the room, he rang the bell and asked the servant whoappeared in answer to his summons to show in the British Ambassador.

  The man disappeared noiselessly, and the next moment the ambassadorentered.

  "I must ask Your Excellency's pardon for having kept you waiting," saidthe secretary, advancing a few steps to meet him. "To what do I owe thehonor of this visit----"

  "I have come to reply to the protest lodged against us by the UnitedStates government for permitting the Japanese to use the harbor ofEsquimault as a station for their ships. The British government fullyrecognizes the justice of the protest, and will see to it that in futureonly damages that affect a ship's seaworthiness are repaired atEsquimault, and that no other ships are allowed to enter the harbor. TheBritish government is desirous of observing the strictest neutrality andis determined to employ every means in its power to maintain it."

  "I thank Your Excellency and thoroughly appreciate the efforts of yourgovernment, but regret exceedingly that they are made somewhat late inthe day. I am convinced the English government would not consider itwithin the bounds of strict neutrality for a Japanese squadron to employan English port as its base of operations----"

  "Certainly not," said the ambassador emphatically, "and I am certainsuch a thing has never happened."

  "Indeed?" answered the secretary seriously, "our latest dispatches tella different story. May I ask Your Excellency to glance over thistelegram?"

  He handed the telegram from Bahia Blanca to the ambassador, who read itand handed it back.

  The two men regarded each other in silence for a few moments. Then theambassador lowered his eyes, saying, "I have no instructions with regardto this case. It really comes as a great surprise to me," he added, "avery great surprise," and then seizing the secretary's hand he shook itheartily, saying: "Allow me to extend my private but most sincerecongratulations on this success
of your arms."

  "Thank you, Your Excellency. The United States have learned during thepast few months to distinguish between correct and friendly relationswith other powers. The English government has taken a warm interest inthe military successes of its Japanese ally, as is apparently stipulatedin their agreement. We are sorry to have been obliged to upset some ofEngland's calculations by turning Japanese ships out of an Englishharbor. If we succeed in gaining the upper hand, we may perhaps lookforward to similar favors being shown us by the English government ashave thus far been extended to victorious Japan?"

  "That would depend," said the ambassador rather dubiously, "on theextent to which such friendly relations would interfere with ourconceptions of neutrality."

  At this moment the President was announced and the ambassador took hisleave.