THE FIRST CONFERENCE
In the Captain's cabin, meanwhile, another conference was going forward,
and one of a very different character from that on the after boat-deck.
The curtains had been carefully drawn, and three men sat facing each
other. They were Ignace Vard, Pachmann, and the young man whom he
addressed habitually as "Prince." Vard was on the divan in the corner of
the room, the others lounged in two luxuriously upholstered chairs which
had been wheeled in front of the divan. Their attitudes suggested
careless unconcern, but their eyes were glowing with repressed
excitement. Cigars and liqueurs were on a table between them, and the
air was blue with smoke.
The Captain had been chatting with a group of passengers when Pachmann's
card was handed to him, but, after a glance at it, he excused himself at
once.
"Show the gentlemen to my cabin," he said to the messenger, and himself
hastened to it. There, a moment later, Pachmann and the Prince appeared.
"It is necessary that we have a conference to-night," said Pachmann,
"with this Ignace Vard. It must be in a room where we cannot by any
possibility be overheard."
"It is, I suppose, an affair of state?" asked the Captain.
"Yes; of the first importance."
"My cabin, then, is at your disposal."
"Thank you, sir," said Pachmann. "There could be no better place. I was
hoping that you would offer it."
"You will understand, sir," Hausmann went on, stroking his beard
nervously, "that an explanation of all this will have to be made to my
company."
"I will see that a satisfactory explanation is made, sir," Pachmann
assented.
The Captain nodded his relief.
"That is what I desire. I will have Vard brought to you," he said,
saluted and withdrew.
He sent a messenger for the inventor, waited until he had entered, and
then summoned a sailor and posted him as a sentry outside the door, with
instructions to permit no one else to enter or even knock. Then he had
another man stretch a rope across the deck some twenty feet abaft the
door; and finally mounted thoughtfully to the bridge, considerably to
the surprise of his subordinates, and spent the whole evening there,
pacing slowly back and forth with an appearance of restlessness the
other officers could not understand, for the weather was very fine and
the barometer high and steady.
In the cabin below the conference proceeded.
"It is as well, Mr. Vard," Pachmann was saying, "that we should
understand each other. The Prince and myself are here as the direct
personal representatives of the Emperor, who has given us his fullest
confidence and the most complete authority. Any agreement we may make
with you, he will recognise as binding. It was a condition of yours, I
believe, that you would meet only with persons so empowered."
"I should have preferred to treat with the Emperor himself," said Vard.
"You could scarcely expect him to make this trip to America," Pachmann
pointed out, with a smile. "If you had been content to go to Berlin...."
"That was impossible," Vard broke in. "It was stipulated that the treaty
should be signed in America, and the Emperor agreed."
"And we are here to carry out that agreement," Pachmann added. "But
before we proceed to a consideration of it, I will outline the progress
of affairs to the present moment, in order that the Prince may be
thoroughly familiar with the matter. If I am mistaken in any detail,
please correct me."
Vard nodded, and lay back in his seat, watching the smoke from his
cigar, as it wreathed itself toward the ceiling.
"About the middle of July," Pachmann began, "Mr. Vard called on Count
Eulenberg, the Chief Marshall of the Imperial Court, and asked for a
private audience with the Emperor. The request was so preposterous that
the Count was astounded when Mr. Vard persisted in it. After that he was
shadowed night and day, his lodgings were searched, his mail opened, and
the police authorities were about to expel him from the country as a
dangerous person, when something still more astonishing happened. With
incredible good fortune, Mr. Vard had in some way managed to secure an
audience with Admiral von Tirpitz, Secretary for the Navy; two days
later, a secret audience was arranged, at which the Emperor was present.
At the request of Admiral von Tirpitz, I was also present, in my
capacity as Chief of the Wireless Service.
"At this conference Mr. Vard stated that he had discovered a principle,
or invented an apparatus, by which he could explode the magazines of a
fort or battleship at any distance up to five miles, and that he
believed the perfection of the invention would greatly increase its
range. This new principle, which worked in conjunction with the ordinary
wireless, was something against which there was no way to guard, since
it penetrated both wood and metal. Every ship, every army, every fort
was at the mercy of the man controlling it. If a single nation
controlled it, that nation would become mistress of the world; if it was
common to all nations, war, as we know it, would be impossible.
"Mr. Vard went on to say that it was not his purpose to make this
discovery the property of a single nation. His purpose was to render war
so impossible that all nations would consent to universal disarmament,
and enter into an agreement for universal peace. He had come to Germany
first, he said, because she was the greatest of the armed nations, and
if she agreed to his proposal, the example would be very great. His
proposal was that he would prove that he was able to do everything he
claimed, in any way that Germany might prescribe; in the event of his
success, Germany was to sign an agreement to disarm, was to secure the
signature of Russia and such other nations as she could influence, and
this alliance was then to force the agreement of all other nations; the
navies and coast defences of such nations as would not agree to be blown
to pieces and their consent compelled."
Pachmann paused for a moment and wiped his glistening forehead.
"Am I stating your proposal correctly, Mr. Vard?" he asked.
The inventor nodded, without lowering his eyes from the ceiling.
"I need not say with what astonishment we listened to this extraordinary
proposal," Pachmann continued. "It seemed impossible that any merely
human brain should have been able to work out the details of a plan so
stupendous. But it impressed the Emperor; it impressed all of us. We
held other conferences, and it was finally agreed that, before we went
further, Mr. Vard should give us the proof he had suggested. The test to
which he finally consented was to be a conclusive one. He was to blow up
a French battleship in Toulon harbour. As his funds were limited, we
agreed to bear the expense of the experiment and to reimburse him for
the apparatus which he would have to leave behind. If he succeeded, we
would be ready to treat definitely with him; two commissioners, with
full powers from the Emperor, would accompany him to America, where such
treaty as might finally be agreed upon would be signed. Am I right so
far, Mr. Vard?"
The inventor had lowered his eyes and was looking at the speaker keenly.
"Yes," he said, "except that you should add that it was distinctly
understood that the treaty was to be one for universal disarmament, and
that Germany was to do everything in her power to secure the consent of
all other nations."
"You are right," agreed Pachmann, readily. "That was to be the general
purpose of the treaty. It was only its details we were to discuss--the
exact manner in which this end could best be accomplished."
The Prince had been listening intently, and at the words, his eyes and
Pachmann's met. Vard was again gazing at the ceiling.
"On the twentieth of this month," Pachmann continued, "Admiral von
Tirpitz received from Mr. Vard, in a code agreed upon, a telegram
stating that the test would occur at daylight on Monday the
twenty-fifth." He paused for a moment, then went on more slowly. "At
that hour, a companion and myself were on the harbour-front of Toulon;
and at that hour _La Liberte_ was indeed destroyed."
He stopped, his eyes on the inventor's face. Vard met his glance without
flinching.
"Understand," he said, in a low tone, "that I am no monster, that I
recognise the sacredness of human life. The test proposed was yours, not
mine; I protested against it, and I consented at last because I saw that
you would with nothing else be satisfied. But for the destruction of
that ship, you will have to atone; to those men who were killed a great
monument shall be built; they shall be recognised by all the world as
heroes and martyrs; their families shall weep for them, indeed, but with
tears of joy and pride. To banish war from the world those men laid
down their lives, even as I would lay down mine--even as any brave man
would--gladly, eagerly!"
His eyes were shining, and the Prince, looking at him, felt himself
shaken by a strange emotion. But across Pachmann's lips flitted an
ironical smile, as of one who disdained heroics.
"For the decision as to _La Liberte_," he said, "I assume full
responsibility. It was I who suggested it; it was I who showed that no
other proof could be conclusive; it was I who arranged for it. I have no
regrets. You have your part of the bargain accomplished, Mr. Vard," he
added. "His Highness and myself are here to accomplish ours. We are
ready to discuss the details of the treaty."
"I think that first, perhaps, I should look at your credentials," Vard
suggested.
"That is just," and Pachmann, getting out his pocket-book, took from it
the envelope sealed with the black seal, and handed it to Vard.
Vard took it, glanced at the seal, and hesitated, just as the captain of
the _Ottilie_ had done.
"I am to open it?" he asked.
Pachmann nodded.
"It contains my credentials," he said.
A careful inspection of the seal would have disclosed the fact that the
envelope had already been opened once--perhaps more than once--but Vard
made no such inspection. Instead, he broke the seal with nervous
fingers, and drew out the stiff sheet blazing with the Royal insignia.
This is the English of what he read:
"Herewith do I grant to the bearer of this paper, Admiral H.
Pachmann, power extraordinary as my representative, to enter
into agreements, to make treaties, and to sign the same; and
I do further declare that I shall consider myself bound by
such agreements and signatures as though I myself had made
them; and, finally, I command all members of my family, all
officers of my army and navy, all members of my diplomatic
corps, and all good Germans generally, to yield to him the
same obedience they would yield to me; all this for the good
of my Empire.
"Signed,
"WILLIAM, R. I.
WILHELMSHOeHE, September 21, 1911."
Vard re-read this extraordinary paper, then replaced it in its envelope
and silently returned it to its owner. Again that ironical smile flashed
across Pachmann's lips, as he restored it to his pocket-book.
"You find it ample, do you not?" he asked.
Vard nodded, and glanced curiously at the Prince, wondering if that
young man was aware of the exact wording of this remarkable document,
especially of the clause, "all members of my family."
"And now," proceeded Pachmann, adjusting himself to an easier posture,
"we shall be glad to hear the further details of your proposal."
Vard paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.
"There is one thing I would understand first," he said. "From that
paper, I infer that the Emperor alone is concerned in this--that his
cabinet is not aware of it."
"No member of the cabinet except one--whom I will not name," assented
Pachmann. "I will not conceal from you that the Emperor is desirous of
reaping for himself the full glory of this achievement. He realises that
the man who brings about world-peace will be the most famous man in
history. He has his ambitions, as you doubtless know."
"Yes, I have heard so," said Vard, with an ironic smile. "Well, let him
have the glory--I do not object; besides, he will deserve it. And now
for my proposal. It is this: the nations of the world, with Germany and
Russia as the first signatories, shall enter into a treaty providing for
the immediate disbanding of their armies, dismantling of their forts,
and disintegrating of their fleets. Only such troops shall be retained
as are needed to provide garrisons for such outposts as may be necessary
to protect the Christian world from the incursion of barbarous or
nomadic tribes, and only such warships as are needed to assist in this
work. The exact number each nation shall maintain will be decided by a
general court of adjudication, and all such troops and warships shall be
in common; and all expenditures for what are usually known as military
purposes shall be in common, apportioned by the same court of
adjudication among the nations which are party to the agreement. Under
no circumstances may any nation maintain any force privately or for its
own use."
"I am interested to know," put in Pachmann, smoothly, "in what manner
you propose to secure the consent of the various nations to this scheme.
The smaller ones will doubtless be glad to fall into line; but you
surely do not expect England and France, for example, to agree merely
because we ask it!"
"To those who do not consent," Vard answered calmly, "we will give a
demonstration of the necessity for doing so."
"Some such demonstration as that of Monday?"
"Yes--greater ones, if need be."
Pachmann considered this thoughtfully.
"It might do," he said, at last. "A few such demonstrations would no
doubt be convincing. Yet there might be one or two which would be
obdurate."
"I think, in the end, we can convince them."
"You will go to any lengths to do so?"
"To any necessary lengths."
Pachmann nodded.
"I was desirous of getting a clear expression from you upon that point,"
he said. "Pray continue."
"I do not believe there will be many such nations," Vard went on. "You
have spoken of France and England. I believe France will consent, for
she is a nation of idealists. I should have chosen her to lead the
movement, but for the fact that her army and navy are inferior to yours,
and so she might seem to be acting from fear or from self-interest.
Should you refuse--should we be unable to agree--it will be to France I
shall go next. As for England, she also fears you--she will be glad to
escape from the burden of her armaments and from the shadow of your
great power. In fact all nations in whose governments the people have a
voice will be eager for disarmament. And the people everywhere must be
allowed to speak. If those in power seek to crush them, to restrain
them, we must assist them to throw off the yoke of tyranny and decide
for themselves."
"Ah," said Pachmann, very quietly. "Socialism--I see!"
"The rule of the people," said Vard, calmly. "The freedom of the
people--call it what you will. That is what I labour for. The people of
each nation must be free to choose by whom and in what manner they will
be governed. That evolution will, of course, take many years; but it
must not be cramped or retarded. At the very outset, it will make two
considerable changes in the map of Europe. Poland will be reconstituted
and Alsace-Lorraine restored to France."
Pachmann started violently, and a wave of angry red swept over his face.
"Impossible!" he cried. "Impossible! To that we can never consent!"
Vard smiled at his emotion.
"Why not?" he asked, ironically.
"Because," shouted Pachmann, "Elsass and Lorraine are German--they were
stolen from Germany by France two centuries ago."
"They were not German--they were independent states; and they are not
German now. They are French. However, I am quite willing to leave the
final decision to the people of those provinces. You cannot object to
that!"
Pachmann shifted his cigar from one corner of his mouth to the other.
His face was livid.
"Beware that you do not attempt too much, my dear sir," he said, and
there was in his voice a covert threat not to be disguised. "I warn you.
But, in this connection, some other questions occur to me. What of
Ireland?"
"The Irish shall decide."
"South Africa?"
"Most of it belongs to the Boers."
"That, at least, is a grain of comfort. But India, Egypt?"
"I cannot answer that. India and Egypt must be made the subjects of
careful study and the government given them which will be best for their
peoples, and which will not drain them of their wealth, as England does.
There will be many such problems, and the best minds of the world must
study them. My answers to your questions are but suggestions. All such
problems must be settled by an international court, which shall proceed
upon the theory that all peoples capable of self-government shall have
absolute freedom, and all other peoples shall be made capable of
governing themselves as rapidly as possible. Each people shall be free
to decide for itself as to its form of government, but shall be required
to pledge itself to the principle of universal peace. That pledge will
be necessary only at first--after fifty years of peace, no nation will
ever think of war! I know that, for a generation or two, there will be
difficulties. We have grown suspicious of each other; we have become
hardened by hatred and injustice. But time will change all that. Let us
lay down our arms, disband our armies, restore what we have stolen, and,
instead of hatred, we shall find love in our hearts. Instead of
oppression, we shall have justice, tempered with mercy. Each man will
have his work to do, and none who works will go hungry; and we will end
by becoming citizens, not of Germany, France, or of any other country,
but of the world! I tell you, sir, that our great-grandchildren, looking
back at us from a world at peace and united in brotherhood, will wonder
at us--we shall seem to them blind savages, murderers, lunatics!"
It was evident enough that the Prince was moved. He was young, he had
always been something of a dreamer. Rigid training at his father's hands
had gone far to dispel the dreams, but they were not quite rooted out.
Now, at the words of this supreme idealist, this inspired dreamer, they
revived again. He sat regarding the speaker with misty eyes, his mouth a
little open, his hands gripped in front of him. Pachmann, glancing at
him, passed his hands before his lips to wipe away a sneer.
"All most interesting," commented the Admiral, in his ironical voice. "I
think that we understand your proposal fully. There is only one point
upon which you have not made yourself quite clear. Should we be unable
to agree, what will be your next step?"
"I thought I had already told you," answered Vard, impatiently. "Should
we disagree, I shall offer France the same opportunity which I now offer
Germany."
"You will find France sceptical."
"Then I shall offer her the same proof I offered you. That will be just,
will it not?" and Vard looked straight into Pachmann's eyes.
Pachmann sprang from his chair, his mouth working, his eyes suffused.
"You will destroy one of our ships?" he demanded, his voice hoarse.
"A ship or a fort--it shall be for France to choose."
Pachmann's fingers were twitching visibly to be at the other's throat.
But by a mighty effort he controlled himself, flung himself again into
his chair and poured himself out a glass of brandy from the bottle at
his elbow.
"Will you drink?" he asked, over his shoulder.
"No, thank you," answered Vard.
The Prince sat without moving, still staring at the inventor. Meeting
his eyes, Vard smiled slightly.
Pachmann set down his glass, and turned back to them.
"I must ask you to pardon me," he said. "I lost my self-control--a thing
I do not often do--but your suggestions seemed to me insupportable.
However, I can perceive that there is another side to them. I think we
understand your proposal now, most thoroughly. There are certain details
which the Prince and I must discuss together, before we can submit an
answer. In a matter of such moment, we must proceed with the greatest
care. This is Thursday. I think we can be ready by Saturday evening."
"Very well," agreed Vard, rising. "The same hour, in this room?"
"If that pleases you."
"It does."
He bowed coldly to Pachmann; then, with a sudden gesture, held out his
hand to the Prince. But Pachmann interposed before the Prince could take
it.
"That I cannot permit," he said grimly, and he opened the door.
A barefooted sailor, clad in white duck, standing on the deck outside,
saluted. Pachmann stood for a moment staring after Vard's retreating
figure; then he turned back into the room. The Prince was helping
himself to a drink, and Pachmann joined him.
"Yes," he said, "this is what we need, after all that raving."
"Would you call it that?" asked the Prince.
"Raving? Yes, it was precisely that! The man is mad, my Prince;
absolutely mad. No one but a madman would speak as he does--of citizens
of the world, the brotherhood of man, and all that folly!"
The Prince drained his glass.
"I fear you are right," he said, as he set it down. "Yes, I fear you are
right, and that it is only folly!"
"There is one thing you must not forget," added Pachmann, his hand on
the door; "since he is mad, it is as a madman he must be treated!" and
he led the way out upon the deck.
* * * * *
Somewhere in the dim hours of the night, Dan Webster was awakened by a
glare of light in his eyes. He opened them to find that the electric
lamp beside the wash-stand was burning. Peering over the edge of his
berth, he beheld a curious sight. Chevrial was sitting on his berth,
half undressed, examining tenderly one of his toes, and swearing softly
to himself. He glanced up, met Dan's astonished eyes, and laughed.
"Man is a ridiculous animal," he said. "The feet with which he has been
provided are absurd--no doubt because they were really intended to be
hands. They are too sensitive, too undefended. Blundering around here in
the darkness, I have injured one of my toes, and it hurts devilishly.
Pardon me for awaking you, my friend. Good night!"
He turned off the light, and Dan lay back upon his pillow, with strange
thoughts whirling in his head.