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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1898)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY. OCTOBER n. isns. ( Copyright , 18SS , by Louis Tracy. ) UIIAI'TIJII A'XVIII. \ The Mnrc-li nt the Motor Cnr . When the German emperor crossed the Mouse near DotnvllHers , ho headed n superb army of 100,000 veteran Infantry , 30,000 caV- nlry mounted on hardy and powerful West- phallan horses , and 300 guns. In physique , equipment nnd stamina , In every soldierly quality to endure nnd to ac complish , It would bo difficult , If not Impos sible , to surpass throughout the world this eplcndld expeditionary force. Vnnslttnrt , even If ho were restored to health , was hopelessly blockaded to the north nnd cast by Krcuznach and the army of Mctz. If be attempted to fall back toward J'arla ho laid bare his extended flank and line of march to disastrous attack. If ho marched southward ho would bo hard pressed In pursuit , and could do nothing to resist the kaiser. In a word , the road to Paris lay open , de fended only by the garrison of Chalons , which Wllhelm could swallow during the course of the ordinary day's routine. Tbo distance to bo traversed was 130 miles , and the emperor told his troops thit bo expected them to bivouac In the forest of Bendy , on the outskirts of Paris , at the end of the sixth day. In mere statement this task , to the trained military mind , seems almost Impossible. The movement of an army numbering 1GO- 000 fighting men , with a vast nrmy of com missariat , medical and other subsidiary serv ices , at 1ho rate of nearly twenty-two mites each day , has never yet been cffectsd over anything like the distance stated. I3ut the clockwork accuracy of the Ger man machine manifests Itself with telling force precisely In such a stupendous under taking. But the great coup that the German em peror evolved In the hotel do Vlllo at Mctz , when ho heard of the Inclpcnt Paris commune - muno had , strangely enough been foreseen nnd discounted by Vanslttart before ho left NowYork. . It will bo remembered that Jerome had set In motion an expenditure of nearly'twenty millions sterling before ho sailed In the Seafarer. iMuch of this vast sum had gone In the Immediate purchase of n great va riety of stores and animals , In which he know the French defenses to bo seriously deficient : but n huge sum was devoted to wards the construction and equipment of motor cars solely designed fen the rapid transport of troops across country by means of ordinary roads. In the United States a tremendous de velopment had been Elven to Internal traffic of n heavy nature by the adoption of motor traction. The quick-witted Amer ican manufacturers soon saw that the horse would never bo dlsslaccd of conveyance by the pleasure-loving public. It was quite a different thing where the haulage of gnoui was concerned. Hero was the true future ot the horseless carriage , and the result of a ecneral activity In this direction enabled the millionaire to readily and promptly se cure the multitude of motors ho required. So secretly and efficiently had his agents nvorkcd that large consignments of the road engines were shipped from the states and landed at Toulon , without public notice being directed to the event. Meanwhile the artificers of Lyons nnd other metallurgical centers In the , south of Franco were busily engaged In constructing the carriages Intended to bo used In conJunction - Junction with the motors. As these vehicles will figure largely In the history of the forthcoming operations , It will servo to elucidate matters If they are described with some decree of minuteness. The engines were compact , extremely powerful , nnd so simply and strongly de signed na to bo capable of withstanding rough usage. Small , broad-tired running wheels , with seven clear feet of axle width , gave ample margin for security In rapid running over roads of steep gradient. They were capable of drawing a load of forty tons at nn average rate of twelve miles nn hour , whilst on level straight roads , nnd for short distances , this rate of progress could bo greatly exceeded. They were protected by plates of tough Btool fixed at reclining angles , nnd It wns estimated that oven artillery fire , unless ex ceptionally accurate , would fall to do them material damage by Isolated hits. Against musketry they were practically Impregnable. The motive power was petrol , fused to n high explosive temperature by Intermixture with n small Jet of steam generated by a tiny subsidiary boiler , and It was possible to carry sufficient fuel to last for a run of 150 miles without replenishment. Each engine drew two cars , similarly nrmorcd and running on bogles , whilst n mnrvelously effective set of spiral buffers pave cohesion nnd fairly comfortable re silience to the whole turnout , oven when traveling very rapidly. Each of thcso cars accommodated , at a squeeze , thirty men , or eight horses , besides carrying rations nnd forage , whilst one In every set of ten was fitted for the conveyance of two guns with out limbers , the recoil being absorbed on the quick-firing principle. At the very moment when Vanslttart re ceived ample assurance from the Lyons arsenal authorities that motor-car carriage for 100,000 men woa available for Immediate delivery , ho received the news of the Ger man emperor's march on Paris ; Acting with his accustomed rapid nnd final decisiveness , Vanslttart ordered the mobilization of < the motor car army at Vltry. He chose this town as being south of the German line of march and consequently less liable to sudden attack. Ho ordered tha general commanding at BREATH "I have been uilnir CAHtlAlIKTSnnda * rnlld n < l eUoctlre laiiitite ther uro Hinli | won derful. Mr daughter and I m-ro bothered with lick ttomacn and our breath wan wry bad. After taktoc few dose * of Catcareu ne liaro Improred wonderfully. Thor nrn n creat help In the fumlljr , " \VlLiiiLiiiSA NAUEU 1117 HiUenUouso 61. , Cluclunatl , Ohio. Plea int. Palatable. I'otont , Tiute flood. IV ) Qood , Never Sicken. Weaken , or Grlpo , 10c , : 'ocOc. ) . . . CURE CONSTIPATION. . . . lUtlltg Itm.Jj f .p .y. fHcut. leiirtal , ft , . r rk. 311 MO-TMAC Chalons to throw his whole force In tbo way of the emperor nnd to deray him as much as possible , but on no account to destroy bridges or tear up roads , even It retreat bc- came thereby Imperative. Above nnd beyond every other considera tion the French cavalry must keep the Ger mans from scouting to the south of Chalons , else they would Infallibly discover the prep arations raado at Vltry. Vanslttart , In his own mind , fixed upon Khclms as the probable scene of conflict be tween himself nnd the knlscr , and , as a matter of fact , the subsequent battle cen tered round Vcrzy , a village only ten miles to the southeast of that historic city. This plan of action once settled , ho throw himself Into the mass of details necessary for the mobilization at Vltry , at twenty-four hours' notice , of the 100,000 troops selected for the enterprise nnd the strange means ot locomotion which they were to use for the first time In warfare. The Chalons garrison had been driven from the hilly country In the neighborhood of the two villages , Lo Grand nnd Le Petit Mourmclon , situate midway between Khclms and Chalons. A glance at the map ot this part ot Franco shows that the hamlet of Verzy lies eight miles duo west of Little Mourmelon , on the slopes of the famous 'champagne country , and In direct flue between the Ger man bivouac and Paris. Late Into the night did Vlnslttart and his prlnlcpal officers examine every topograph ical detail of the locality , falling back upon the personal knowledge of residents In Chalons where the excellent maps In their possession seemed In any degree vague or misleading. The most pressing Immediate difficulty v to contrive to hold back the expected Gi man assault upon Chalons , while nol forcing matters so seriously as to compel the kaiser's main body to turn from Its obvious route next morning. Vanslttart entrusted this task to the en gineers. Ileforo midnight ho received the assurance that field works were In course of construction to an extent that would easily enable the Chalons garrison to bcal off their assailants until late next day , by which tlmo the millionaire promised them active help. The motor car army wns divided Into ten strong brigades of 100 trains each , thus constituting 0,000 men per brigade. With thcso there were no field pieced and but few Maxims. It was purely nn Infantry force , nnd each brigade had Its line oi operations strictly marked out , beyond which It was not to deviate a yard. The artillery was massed In two di visions , which , with motor car Infantry escort cert nnd n considerable force of cavalry wore Intended to .bo . used principally alonf ' o crests of two small ridges that ran north and south through the position which It was expected , the kaiser's army would occupy about 10 o'clock. Soon after dawn some Intermittent firing to the north announced that the Uhlan scouts were endeavoring to drive In the French cavalry outposts. They did not accomplish their object , but the French horsemen were handled so care fully that they gave no sign of the presence of an army In their rear. Soon , too , these minor conflicts were drowned In the sustained roar ot the ex pected German assault on the outskirts of Chalons , towards the northeast. By 7 o'clock the French pickets broughl definite news of the German ndvnnce guard being In possession of tbo heights beyond Vcrzy to the west. At 8 o'clock Montsaloy led a cavalry reconnaissance In that direction , and ' ' 'a- tlnctly saw the Germans , In dense columns , filing down the slopes leading to the village. But the alert German staff noted the un wonted assiduity of the French mounted patrols , nnd th- > appearance of Montsaloy and his troops led to a counter reconnais sance by a field battery and two regiments o * Uhlans. This compact little body rode forward so gallantly that It was necessary to stop them by some display of force. They would not retire until several guns opened fire on them , and n French cavalry brigade galloped out In the hope of cutting them olf. The kaiser would not believe that any notable opposition could bo expected from this quarter , but the symptoms were so dangerous tht ho unwillingly ordered a gen eral halt , whilst two brigades of Infantry , supported by four batteries and 3,000 sabers , marched south to dlsptl the mystery that hung about tbo proceedings on the German left flank. It toolc a good hour for this opening phase of the battle to develop Itself. The Hanoverian Infantry , beautifully handled , and maneuvering with faultless efficiency , pressed the attack right up to the banks of tbo Marno , and did not retire until crushed by a vastly superior French force. At 9:45 : the country In front of Vanslttnrt was alive with the kaiser's troops. Bat teries of artillery were taking up position at the verge of a plateau beyond the Marno , and shells were screaming through tbo air In every direction where n body of Infantry or cavalry could be discerned by the Ger man guards. The supreme moment of action had ar rived , Vanslttart simply waved his hand to Lo Breton , who commanded the leading brigade , drawn up In the street of the small hamlet ensconced In the leafy hollow close to the French center. Lo Breton signalled a response , nodded to the driver of the first car , nnd the vehicle moved slowly to the front. Quickly getting pace , It dashed across a bridge over the river , nearly coming to grief In , the eager ness , of the driver to turn n rather sharp corner. Five other brigades stationed across the Marnq. but near to Chalons , started almost simultaneously , and within ten minutes from the tlmo of Vansittart's quiet signal 600 motors , containing 36,000 soldiers , were rushing toward the Gorman columns at a pace exceeding twelve miles an hour , or more ifipldly than a similarly largo force of calvary could possibly got over the ground. The kaiser nnd his staff had ridden to the crest of the ridge , where the German' ' , guna were at work , and were momentarily expecting the bold stand so far made by the French to wither before tbo vlgoroui assault now Jn progress , when the first of the motors , with Its two attached carriages , dashed In sight across the Marne , "What on earth Is that' ? " cried Wllhelm with field glasses glued tj > hU eyes. "A running steam e/slne ! " laughed n aide. c "A charge by the commlssirlat ! " "Perhaps a new sort of usllltnrT steam roller ! " "Whatever It It , It IB full of soldiers ! " "With a machine gun ! " "Another of VantltUrt'i doflte , etl" The concluding comment drew the cm- reror. "If It bo of Vnnslttart's one dodger , gen tlemen , Itwill need all our skill to coun teract It. " In sllonco the distinguished officers present steadily watched I'-o progress of the motor. With even keener Interest Vanslttart nnd those near htm also watched It , for they alouo knew what was expected of this now and terrible engine ot warfare. Almost before n shot was flrcl at. It the motor was within 200 yards of the ad vanced Urine line. The officer In com mand of n scattered company , seeing this strange object rapidly darting toward him from the French position , realized that , whatever Its powers , It must have hostile Intent , So ho ordered his men to fire u volley nT It. Several bullets struck the motor and the cars -with resounding clang , but th anglo of Impact was so acute- that the missiles danced off harmlessly. And now the Frenchmen commenced firIng - Ing In return , wildly , It Is true , owing to the Impossibility of taking accurate nlm , but several Germans dropped. It was different when , with tremcndaus clatter , and amidst clouds ot whirling dust , the motor swept through tbo fighting line and supports , to como within short range of a couple of battalions drawn up In close order. Hero the French fire becan to tell with awful effect. The machine gun , mounted on the left front of the lending car , poured a torrent of projectiles Into the German ranks , and , as It passed them on the flank , had a destructive Influence which could the Germany battery , now thoroughly en- ' fielded. Two guns were wrenched from their carriages , gunners were crushed Into shape less atoms on all sides nnd the emperor him self bad n miraculous escape , his plckcllmube King knocked off by tbo wind from a passing shell. Had bo been told at .that moment that Lo Breton's brlgaiio was one of six then tearing wildly through the German position from tbo south nnd west , while Beau- niarclmls had completed his flank march and was on the point of driving the uhlan pickets In dismay before him from the west , It Is possible that this latest scion of the line of Hohenzollern would have sought Im mediate death on the battlefield , As It was , the whirl and confusion ot events , the eager haste nnd disposition to combat the present danger , shut out from htm all knowledge of proceedings else where. The Frenchmen worked llko fiends to remove the dcbrla of tbo smashed motor. In this task they were practically unhin dered , as the nearest German Infantry had been brushed far from the place by the passage of the rreceillng cars. Soon they had the road sufficiently cleared , the two cars were shoved off into a field , and the line of motors again re sumed progress , for the German guns were to hammered by the French artillery that It was Impossible to secure efficient lire for the main purpose In hand namely , the stoppage of the French advance. In the fury of despair the kaiser felt that his guns , devotedly .served though they were , could not perform the task ho re quired of them. The arrival of n small kaiser's command , and at once sought the means to execute it. But a flag ot truce Is not usually carried as a part ot the equip ment ot an Imperial army corps. From a farmhouse on the road ho obtained n small white tablecloth. Ho was nbout to run his oword through the end whjn his nerve forsook him. With a cry of bitter rage ho dashed the weapon to the ground. Then ho snatched a lance from a Uhlan orderly and rode off with hla significant banneret. He did not go straight along the ridge , the most direct way to the French center , but cut across country diagonally Into the valley. By this means ho hoped to stop the advancing French cavalry and prevent the horrible massacre , for It could bo naught else , which must ensue If once the horsemen got mixed up with the stricken German troops. Fortunately , ho was In time. Montsaloy , riding at the head of the lend ing rcgjment , the Eighteenth Chasseurs , caught sight of the solitary officer dashing down the hillside , and checked the order trembling on his lips which would convert a steady gallop Into n charge. As the courier ot peace drew near Mont- ealoy recognized him , The mere fact that General von Gossler himself carried the merciful signal showed the gravity of his errand , and the French cavalry leader brought his brigade to a halt , the rest ot the division pulling up In rotation as the loud command passed from squadron to squadron. When the two officers met Von Qossler besged the other to conduct him at once to Vanslttart , nnd to delay the advance of the French cavnlry until 'the pour-parlers had taken place. WHEUEU PON WILHELM HANDED HIS SWORD TO HENRI. never bo obtained under ordlnnry condi tions. The leaden shower beat upon the masses of soldiers with the directness of a rain storm on n field of corn. Whole sections of companies were crushed to the ground a half battalion was demoralized In a few seconds. A company of Infantry stood on the road way Itself. The men bravely emptied their magazines at the steel-clad monster rushIng - Ing towards them with the speed of n train. Then they realized that In another Instant the thundering , crashing motor would bo upon them. Human nature could pot with stand this modern car of Juggernaut. Offi cers and men rushed dismayed to the hedges and sought to save their livesby flight. One nfter another of these fearsome struc tures came panting up the slope , each spit ting fire nnd smoke nnd deadly bullets , each crammed with frantic , cheering , In toxicated French soldiers , half frenzied with the consciousness of Irresistible force given to them by the motor , nnd barely able to obey the Impassioned appeals of their offi cers to steady themselves and fire with any thing llko self control Into the ranks of their opponents. The first man to comprehend the full scope of the motors In such a battle as that they were now engaged In was Vanslttart. Ho turned to his staff nnd sold : "Go , some of you , and wnrn the reserves to be In Immediate readiness. Also send the Seventh and Eighth motor brigades to the nsslstance of Chalons. The rest Is mere slaughter. " The second to grasp the situation wns the German emperor. With a cry of fierce rage bo drove his spurs Into his horse , and wheeled the startled animal Into a gallop toward the nearest batteries. "Stop them , " ho roared to the artillery officers. "Stop them , or the nrmy will be come a mob. " With the utmost rapidity , half a dozen guns were swung round to the now front , and fired at the line of motors , for , al though the incidents described took little more than two minutes In transaction , nl- ready sorao forty of Lo Breton's moving forts were Inside the German position. But it Is not an easy thing to train a field piece and fire It with precision nt even a largo object traveling along a road nt n high rate of speed. Some dozen rounds were fired before one of the cars was struck. Even then the shell only succeeded In tearing away n portion of the upper screen and killing a few of the occupants. The car swerved badly from the shock , but did not overturn , and Its forward progress wns in no way affected. "Idiots ! " shrieked the kaiser. "Select a definite point , aim low , and flro salvos by word of command. " The artillerists quickly grasped his mean- Ing. The first volley was not successful because - cause tbo officer In charge of the operations gave the word too soon. But nt the second attempt four shells bit one of tbo motors vitally smashing it bodily from tbo bogey truck and bringing its two cars to hopeless ruin. "Ha , that Is better ! Now wo have them ! " The emperor was so excited that he leaped from his charger , and himself assisted In laying ono of the guns upon the next car , the whole line being brought ) to a standstill , while the French troepa rushed to the task of clearing the stricken motor fro'n the road way. way.Wllhelm Wllhelm didn't know that Vanslttart was fully prepared for rhli emergency. With wild scream and dcmonlao energy the shells from eighteen French guns , sta tioned on the oppojlnc slooe. tore throuch regiment of staff officers from all parts of the German position , reporting disaster after disaster , revealed to him the full ex tent of the fearful conflict raging around Vezry between the German main body and the bulk of the French forces. Up to this time , so awfully sudden had been the developments of events , ho had heard nothing of the main attack. Riding back to the reverse side of the plateau , Wllhelm nt last became aware of the macnttudo of the disaster which bad befallen htm. Along every highway darted the huge motors , paralyzing all opposition , crump ling up brigades and divisions Into terri fied hordes , smiting with unfettered violence lence their helpless opponents , and utterly dislocating the whole army , for artillery , cavalry , Infantry and commissariat were piled together In shapeless masses. As be galloped on llko one In a dream he suddenly saw ten of the French motors % halt and commence firing shells at n body of Gorman troops drawn up near a planta tion , at too great a distance from the road way for practical rifle range. "Merciful heaven ! " groaned the stricken kaiser , reining In hla charger nnd covering his face with his left hand. "They oven carry cannon ! Is ho man or fiend ? " General von Gossler , who rode near him , now dared Vo Bay what every man on the staff thought when they first learned the true position of affairs. "There Is nothing for It , your majesty , but a rapid retrent to the north. We can sl'lll save many of our men by blocking the roads and blowing up bridges , when these devices ot the devil cannot follow us. " His broken-hearted chief murmured : "Tear up the roads ! Destroy the bridges ! Yes ! Now wo know why the French did nothing to hinder our mnrch. Yet how could I have foreseen all that has happened ? " "Your majesty , " urged Von Qossler , "may I give orders for n general retreat ? " His persistence stirred Wllhelm from his stupor of grief. "Retreat ! " he cried. . "Orders ! Look , man ! What orders nro necessary ? Who will listen ? Who will obey ? " The sight so unnerved the emperor that ho bowed his head nnd cried repeatedly , "My poor lads ! my poor lads ! " whilst un checked tears streamed from bis eyes. "Yot , your majesty , " persisted the other , "wo may do something. Lot us at least try. " As It In answer to this despairing utter ance came tbo sound ot sustained firing from the north nnd west ) . Bcaumarchals' division was seceding along tbo only possible line ot retreat. The kaiser saw them and made no reply to Von Gossler. Ho looked behind , to see n French cavnlry division ride furiously Into the valley from the south , Intent upon com pleting the ruthless work so fearfully cut out for them by the motors , from which , ' too , long Hues of Infantry , fresh as though drawn up for parade Inspection , were begin ning to emerge. Then ho answered. Forcing out the words with desperate calmness , ho said : "Yes , Von Gossler , we can do something. We can stop useless butchery. Go with n flag of truce to Vnnslttart. Tell him I will meet him In the village here ! " CIIAI'THIl XXIX. Jerome nnd AVIllielin. The German chief of staff was 'far too good a soldier , not to know when the game was up. up.II II * bow J Jo silent acceptance of tha Montsaloy felt that he assumed a grave responsibility , but he was assured that the kindly-hearted American would sanction a proposal Intended to prevent useless blood- shed. Leaving Instructions with bis second In command to forthwith resume the charge If any manifestly hostile move wore made by the enemy , ho accompanied Von Gosaler toward the place where he had lost seen the millionaire. But Vanslttart , too , had noticed the flag of truce , and the sudden halt ot the French cavalry. femora the envoy had traveled 100 yards , with hla escort , Jerome rode up , followed by every officer who could Invent the slight est pretext for accompanying him. Attired In a simple tweed coat , riding breeches nnd boots , with a broad-brimmed felt hat to shield hla eyes from the sun , and carrying no more offensive weapon than n riding whip , Vanslttart sat gracefully the powerful charger that bore him on this short' , but eventful Journey , quietly acknowledging tbo vociferous plaudits of his gallant troops as ho passed. "I am commissioned by his majesty , the German cmporer , to ask you to meet him In the village of Verzy , and arrange terms of surrender , " said Von Gossler when he drew near the spot where Vnnslttart halted. Jerome bowed , but before ho could reply the German officer continued : "In view of an immediate nnd penceful settlement , I ventured to nsk General MonC- saloy to defer the- cavalry charge he was conducting , nnd which could only achieve the useless butchery ot our demoralized men. " "General Montsaloy did well to accede to your humane wishes , " said Vanslttart. "But ) I cannot meet the German emperor Immedi ately. You must acknowledge , general , that you nro utterly defeated. It would be need- Inss cruelty .to . prolong the conflict. " "Certainly , monsieur. That Is why I am deputed by his majesty , my master , to nr- range nn Immcdlnto meeting. " "Ah ! Permit mo to conclude. The only possible preliminary to negotiations Is the instant surrender of your whole force. No. Pray do not argue. Every moment Is of Importance. I quite understand that you personally cannot accept my proposal. Gen eral Montsaloy and the members ot my staff will ride with you to the emperor , learn his decision , and act in accordance with It. If he Is agreeable to my suggestion these officers will convey to every French division my orders to cease hostilities , whilst com manders will Individually receive the sub mission and carry out tbo disarmament of those German corps nearest : to them. This part you must see to on your side. If the emperor declines the battle must proceed. " At the appointed hour Vnnslttart nnd the king of France , who had reached Van- slttart's camp during the battle , attended by ] a brilliant suite and nn escort ot tha Eighteenth chasseurs If any other corpa had accompanied Jerome there would have been n mutiny approached the small chateau which served as the German head quarters. They were received by Von Gossler , who forthwith conducted them to a room on the ground floor ; for the first time , Vanslttart and Wllhelm were face to face. The emperor stood in the center of the apartment , dignified and impassive , with bis hands behind hla back , Hla face was rigid , and although tanned by exposure , Its dull pallor betrayed the agonized hours ho had endured since the morning. Behind him , In compliance with Vanslttart's re quest , were ranged the divisions officers ot tin army and the heads of the military de partments , Ills sword and sabretache- rested obtrusively against a chair. For an awkward moment ; there wa silence. Then Von Gossler spoke. "This Is M. Vnnslttart , your majesty , " ho said. Ae nn afterthought ho added : "Permit mo also to announce the king of France , " The knlscr Inclined his head. "I nm nt a loss , " he said , with even , metallic accents , "to know whether to present iny sword ti the king or to the man who makes nnd tin * makes kings. " "To the king ! " said Vanslttnrt , where upon Wllhelm handed hla sword to Henri , who gravely received It. "And now tell mo your resolves , mon sieur. " The kaiser turned and looked Vnnslttart squarely In the eyes. "I nm hero for that purpose. They nro brief nnd to the point. I require the prompt capitulation of the German forces now sta tioned west of the Rhine , w.icn , after the requisite formalities , nil officers nnd men will bo at once free to return to their homes. I also require you to sign a treaty of peace , leaving the delimitation of the frontier be tween Franco nnd Germany to the mayors of twelve French nnd German towns , six to bo nominated by you nnd six by mo Thcso gentlemen will be asked , In nddltlon , to devise such means ns they think fit to prevent further trouble In regard to frontier affairs , both countries binding themselves to accept such recommendations without cavil or complaint. " "I wilt no longer leave the question to you , but to your people and parliament. " The reply staggered the emperor. Such a course of procedure meant the disappear ance of the house of Hohenzollern. The pallor returned to his cheeks as bo said : "In the name of the saints , why mayors ? " "Because It may bo fairly assumed that they represent the mass of the people , with out whoso taxes and military service It wouM be Impossible for such as you to plunge peacefully-disposed nations into the horrors of wnr. " The kaUcr swept aside this all-sufficient answer. With Intense bitterness of tone be said , turning to his staff : "You hear , gen tlemen. This the first Installment. The second will doubtless deal with Indemnity * " Vanslttart produced n cigar case , cut the end off a cigar , nnd lit It , before ho snld , with the utmost coolness : "There will bo no indemnity. God forbid thnt I should fine your unfortunate people because of your blunders. " "You are a marvelous man , M , Vanslt tart ! " Jerome , Irritated slightly by the kaiser's fltfulncss , merely nodded his appreciation of the compliment. Wllhelm had perforce to continue the con versation. "Notwithstanding your last remarkable concession , M. Vanslttart , I cannot accept your terms. It Is Impossible that the em peror of Germnny should consent to expose any part of his dominions to the bartering of a set of provincial mayors , excellent though thcso gentlemen may be. " "You forget that Franco likewise sub mits to their arbitraments. I should have the utmost faith In their collective good sense. " "Pooh ! It Is out of iho question. " The millionaire picked up his bat nnd rid ing whip , which ho bad placed on a chair. "Then further discussion Is unnecessary , " ho said. "Havo I your majesty's word that neither you nor the members of your staff present will attempt to escape ? Or must 1 place you under restraint ? " The kaiser flared out again Into animation. "It Is matterless to mo what you do. My unbeaten troops still hold the field , In French territory , too. I will pay the fuH price of my transgressions. I abdicate In favor of my son. My brother , Prince Henry ot Prussia , will carry on the campaign , and maybe yet crush your proteges nnd disap point your magniloquent theories. " From the German officers came murmurs of Indignation , showing how they chafed nt the situation. Jerome directly addressed them. "So , " ho said , "you share your headstrong leader's view ? You still hold your oppon ents In such feeble esteem that you bellovo your armies In Lorraine to be superior to circumstances. Let mo undeceive you. To day your expedition , consisting presumably of your picked troops , wna beaten by less than half Its numbers. Only one-third of my men were In the Held when you wore hopelessly crippled. You have seen the value of the motors In action , and I tell you emphatically that If my demands nro not acceded to fully within the hour all my available force will march tonight for the frontier. Tomorrow General Krcuznach will bo asked to defeat the same combination that you have already found Irresistible. What will bo the result ? " The two men weio but a couple of paces apart during this Imprssloned dialogue. The stubborn Saxon nature In each shone from their resolute blue eyes. Wllhelm's attitude showed that If the vital Issues before them could be determined by strangling his op ponent ho would gladly make the attempt Vansittart's , that he entertained profound contempt for a monarch who cared little If he brought his country to degradation in order to gratify bis personal pride. A sudden commotion drew all eyes to the door , which was violently flung open , re vealing a German aide-de-camp struggling Ineffectually beneath the giant grip of Ari zona Jim. "A telegram for you , guv'nor , " yelled Bates. Jerome read the telegram and handed It to the kaiser , saying : "Possibly this mny Influence your decision. " Tbo emperor disdainfully took tbo little bit of flimsy. He read Us contents twice be fore ho seemed to fully comprehend their purpose. Then his customary pallid com plexion assumed an nshen hue. Ho visibly trembled. Even his voice shook as he mur mured , "Can this bo true ! " "On my honor , " said Vanslttart. I have no reason to doubt Its accuracy. " Wllholm dropped listlessly Into a chair , to bury bis face In his hands the slanting rays of the sinking sun , striking in patches through the low diamond-framed windows of the room , showed great drops ot perspira tion glistening on his forehead , "I will read It aloud , " said Vanslttart. And this la what ho read : "Metz Is ours. The tricolor floats again above its walls. Whilst our attack on Krouznach was developing , I formed strong column for the assault of Metz , and car ried position after position with astound ing case. The gallant troops ot Franco would not bo gainsaid. Fighting In out skirts still proceeding , but wo are firmly established In tbo town itself , nnd In the forts to west nnd south. Krcuznach will probably make desperate efforts to recap ture Metz , but I am confident of ability to hold him off , pending further orders : Have Just heard of your great victory. Most hearty congratulations. DAUBISSON. " Not even German military decorum could withstand this momentous news. Tbo staft officers broke out Into strong guttural ejaculations , but Vanslttnrt stayed them by a wave of his hand , r \ "Now , your mnjcsty , which Is It to bo ? j Am 1 to march to complete Daublsson's coup , or do you accept my terms , frankly mid fully ? " Wllbclm ! roppcd his hands nnd looked round. "Very well. Uo It so , " ho said. "But soldiers , not mayors , shall utter the first word. Gentlemen , you nro cognizant of all that has happened. Am I to answer 'Yes' or No' to M. Vnnstttart ? " Ho named them all Individually. Kach man agreed , though some of the voices were tremulous with grief It was a bitter se quel to the war of 70-71 for the veterans of Jf Mars la Tour nnd Sedan. * " * "Good , " said the Italsor , raising from his chair. "I will make the best of It , M. Vaa- slttnrt. There Is my hand on It. " "And with the king of Franco ! " said Jerome , accepting tbo proffered hand shake. "With tbo king of France , by all means. " But they were continental monarchs , ED Wllhelm nnd Henri embraced. "Now , " cried Wllhclm ( from whom a great depression had seemingly passed In nn In- Btant , "what Is the beat way to sot about ) It ? " "After your majesty has signed a docu ment briefly reciting our agreement , I will have much pleasure In giving you and thcso other gentlemen every facility for rejoining your army on the frontier. You can , like me , telegraph orders to suspend hostilities until your arrival. " "And thcso mayors ? When do they meet ? " The kaiser did not yet take kindly to tht stipulation. It still rankled. "The day after tomorrow , at Mctz. " The mayors retired at 1 o'clock. At C the same evening the mayor of Marseilles , who , toy reason of seniority In years , had been elected spokesman for the others , sent mes sages to both camps to the effect that the council was ready with Its report. The Intense curiosity that prevailed la the breasts ot French nnd German statesmen brought them rapidly to the Hotel do Vlllc. Not alone Vanslttart nnd the two monarchs , but every minister and prominent official who had tbo slightest claim to bo present , put In an appearance , and the grand salon of the town hall was filled with a brilliant nnd animated throng when the mayors eolcmnly filed In from their memorable con clave. "Have you unanimously agreed upon your recommendations , gentlemen ? " said Van slttart , and the query Induced a profound sllonco In the crowded room. "Wo have , " said the mayor of Marseilles. * { Stepping forward ho rend , with clear and \ emphatic voice , the following : v "We , tbo undersigned mayors of twelve French nnd German cities , In pursuance of the great trust committed to our care , are unanimously of opinion : " 1. That the province of Lorraine , aa marked out by a reasonably straight line drawn from Uonon In the Vosgos mountains to , but not Including , the townof Sanrgo- mund , shall In future bo French territory , the legal boundary to bo fixed by a properly V , constituted commission. V " 2. That the provluco of Elsass , naturally defined .by the watershed of the Vosgca mountains , shall remain German territory , with thti addition of the email portion of Lorralno lying to the cast of the line Indi cated In paragraph 1. " 3. That all fortresses and defensive works of military significance within the limits of the said provinces of Lorralno and Elsasa bo forthwith leveled to the ground. " 4. That all so-called strategic railways In both provinces shall bo speedily linked together , and Joined , where practicable , to the main lines of Franco and Germany , for the better development ot commerce and the promotion of mutual Intercourse. " 5. That no officer of the army shall hold administrative positions In cither of tht provinces. " 6. That no troops shall bo stationed In large numbers , nor military stores or arma ments collected , within 100 Franco kilome tres of the new frontier lino. " 7. That the customs nnd police authori ties of Franco and Germany shall bo solely entrusted with the conduct of frontier regu lations , which shall bo framed only in re gard to revenue and legal necessities. " 8. That In all other respects there shall bo free and uninterrupted passage between the two countries. " Then the mayor read the names and designations of himself and his colleagues. lAt once a buzz of eager comment arose. j "It means the dismantling of Strasbourg % and Mulhausen , " cried the kaiser. "Wo get Metz shorn of Its defenses , whilst Bclfort , Vcrdon , nnd every fortress In tbo east of Franco must bo torn to pieces , " vociferated Henri. "Preposterous , " growled tbo Gormaa officers. Y "KldlculouB , " cried the Frenchmen. * Then everyone looked at Vanslttart , who had meanwhile secured the report from the mayor of Marseilles and had perused It with .the aid of a small map. Raising his head ho obtained a , hearing. "I am glad to note. " ho said with a smile , "that nobody seems to bo satisfied. There Is no surer sign that these excellent gentlemen have tried to bo Just. Nay , more , they have succeeded In their efforts. / Their award exceeds my utmost hopes , \ whilst It more than Justifies the confidcnco I placed In them. They have given to Franco French Lorralno ; they have se cured to Germany German Elsass. And be cause they have arrived at a conclusion out lined for them by natural law , they take stringent precautions Test the power of men to do 111 deeds makes 111 deeds done. Surely they have well acquitted themselves. If over men deserved honor , these do. In a few hours , aided only by their common sense , they have achieved triumphs which two generations nnd statesmen and generals , backed by millions of soldiers , have wholly failed to achieve. My friends , think what \ It means. There are no longer lost provinces or hostile principalities. Let us ' . marvel at their work rather than cavil at Its methods. If wo do , the whole world will Join In our chorus of praise. " Little moro remains to bo told. Folllct captured Rlbou ; Arizona Jim shot Wins Schwartz , Just to keep him out of mischief , and the Incipient revolution In Paris dUd out as the victorious troops marched in. TUB END. Ilnuklcii'N Arnlcu Salve. THE DEST SALVE In the world for Cuts , Brulsea. Sores , Ulcers. Salt niicum. Fever Sores , Tetter , Chapped Hands , Chilblains , Corns nnd nil Skin Eruptions , nnd positively cures Piles , or no pay required. It U guar anteed to slvo perfect satisfaction or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sal * by Kuhn & Co. 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