按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
… Page 5…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
every ship…yard in the country could be set to work to build ironclad men…
of…war： but it takes a long time to build ships； and England's navy was
afloat。 It was the British keel that America had to fear。 By means of the
continental cables it was known that many of the largest mail vessels of
the British transatlantic lines； which had been withdrawn upon the
declaration of war； were preparing in British ports to transport troops to
Canada。 It was not impossible that these great steamers might land an
army in Canada before an American army could be organized and
marched to that province。 It might be that the United States would be
forced to defend her borders； instead of invading those of the enemy。 In
every fort and navy…yard all was activity； the hammering of iron went on
by day and by night； but what was to be done when the great ironclads of
England hammered upon our defences？ How long would it be before the
American flag would be seen no more upon the high seas？ It is not
surprising that the Government found its position one of perilous
responsibility。 A wrathful nation expected of it more than it could perform。
All over the country； however； there were thoughtful men； not connected
with the Government； who saw the perilous features of the situation； and
day by day these grew less afraid of being considered traitors； and more
willing to declare their convictions of the country's danger。 Despite the
continuance of the national enthusiasm； doubts； perplexities； and fears
began to show themselves。 In the States bordering upon Canada a
reactionary feeling became evident。 Unless the United States navy could
prevent England from rapidly pouring into Canada； not only her own
troops； but perhaps those of allied nations； these Northern States might
become the scene of warfare； and whatever the issue of the contest； their
lands might be ravished； their people suffer。 From many quarters urgent
demands were now pressed upon the Government。 From the interior there
were clamours for troops to be massed on the Northern frontier； and from
the seaboard cities there came a cry for ships that were worthy to be called
men…of…war； ships to defend the harbours and bays； ships to repel an
invasion by sea。 Suggestions were innumerable。 There was no time to
build； it was urged； the Government could call upon friendly nations。 But
wise men smiled sadly at these suggestions； it was difficult to find a nation
5
… Page 6…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
desirous of a war with England。 In the midst of the enthusiasms； the fears；
and the suggestions； came reports of the capture of American
merchantmen by fast British cruisers。 These reports made the American
people more furious； the American Government more anxious。 Almost
from the beginning of this period of national turmoil； a party of gentlemen
met daily in one of the large rooms in a hotel in New York。 At first there
were eleven of these men； all from the great Atlantic cities； but their
number increased by arrivals from other parts of the country； until at last
they； numbered twenty…three。 These gentlemen were all great capitalists；
and accustomed to occupying themselves with great enterprises。 By day
and by night they met together with closed doors； until they had matured
the scheme which they had been considering。 As soon as this work was
done； a committee was sent to Washington； to submit a plan to the
Government。 These twenty…three men had formed themselves into a
Syndicate； with the object of taking entire charge of the war between the
United States and Great Britain。 This proposition was an astounding one；
but the Government was obliged to treat it with respectful consideration。
The men who offered it were a power in the land；a power which no
government could afford to disregard。 The plan of the Syndicate was
comprehensive； direct； and simple。 It offered to assume the entire control
and expense of the war； and to effect a satisfactory peace within one year。
As a guarantee that this contract would be properly performed； an
immense sum of money would be deposited in the Treasury at Washington。
Should the Syndicate be unsuccessful； this sum would be forfeited； and it
would receive no pay for anything it had done。 The sum to be paid by the
Government to the Syndicate； should it bring the war to a satisfactory
conclusion； would depend upon the duration of hostilities。 That is to say；
that as the shorter the duration of the war； the greater would be the benefit
to the country； therefore； the larger must be the pay to the Syndicate。
According to the proposed contract； the Syndicate would receive； if the
war should continue for a year； one…quarter the sum stipulated to be paid if
peace should be declared in three months。 If at any time during the
conduct of the war by the Syndicate an American seaport should be taken
by the enemy； or a British force landed on any point of the seacoast； the
6
… Page 7…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
contract should be considered at an end； and security and payment
forfeited。 If any point on the northern boundary of the United States
should be taken and occupied by the enemy； one million dollars of the
deposited security should be forfeited for every such occupation； but the
contract should continue。 It was stipulated that the land and naval forces of
the United States should remain under the entire control of the
Government； but should be maintained as a defensive force； and not
brought into action unless any failure on the part of the Syndicate should
render such action necessary。 The state of feeling in governmental circles；
and the evidences of alarm and distrust which were becoming apparent in
Congress and among the people； exerted an important influence in favour
of the Syndicate。 The Government caught at its proposition； not as if it
were a straw； but as if it were a life…raft。 The men who offered to relieve
the executive departments of their perilous responsibilities were men of
great ability； prominent positions； and vast resources； whose vast
enterprises had already made them known all over the globe。 Such men
were not likely to jeopardize their reputations and fortunes in a case like
this； unless they had well…founded reasons for believing that they would be
successful。 Even the largest amount stipulated to be paid them in case of
success would be less than the ordinary estimates for the military and
naval operations which had been anticipated； and in case of failure； the
amount forfeited would go far to repair the losses which might be
sustained by the citizens of the various States。 At all events； should the
Syndicate be allowed to take immediate control of the war； there would be
time to put the army and navy； especially the latter； in better condition to
carry on the contest in case of the failure of the Syndicate。 Organization
and construction might still go on； and； should it be necessary； the army
and navy could step into the contest fresh and well prepared。 All branches
of the Government united in accepting the offer of the Syndicate。 The
contract was signed； and the world waited to see what would happen next。
The influence which for years had been exerted by the interests
controlled by the men composing the Syndicate； had its effect in
producing a popular confidence in the power of the members of the
Syndicate to conduct a war as successfully as they had conducted other