the great war syndicate(战争辛迪加)-第29章
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from the distant repeller； and the vast spreading mass of clouds moved
seaward； dropping down upon St。 George's Channel in a rain of stone dust。
Then the repeller steamed shoreward； and when she was within three or
four miles of the coast she ran up a large white flag in token that her task
was ended。 This sign that the bombardment had ceased was accepted in
good faith； and as some of the military and naval men had carefully noted
that each puff from the repeller was accompanied by a shock； it was
considered certain that all the bombs which had been discharged had acted；
and that； consequently； no further danger was to be apprehended from
them。 In spite of this announcement many of the spectators would not
leave their position on the hills； but a hundred or more of curious and
courageous men ventured down into the plain。
That part of the sea…coast where Caerdaff had been was a new country；
about which men wandered slowly and cautiously with sudden
exclamations； of amazement and awe。 There were no longer promontories
jutting out into the sea； there were no hillocks and rocky terraces rising
inland。 In a vast plain； shaven and shorn down to a common level of
scarred and pallid rock； there lay an immense chasm two miles and a half
long； half a mile wide； and so deep that shuddering men could stand and
look down upon the rent and riven rocks upon which had rested that
portion of the Welsh coast which had now blown out to sea。
An officer of the Royal Engineers stood on the seaward edge of this
yawning abyss； then he walked over to the almost circular body of water
which occupied the place where the fishing village had been； and into
which the waters of the bay had flowed。 When this officer returned to
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London he wrote a report to the effect that a ship canal； less than an eighth
of a mile long； leading from the newly formed lake at the head of the bay；
would make of this chasm； when filled by the sea； the finest and most
thoroughly protected inland basin for ships of all sizes on the British coast。
But before this report received due official consideration the idea had been
suggested and elaborated in a dozen newspapers。 Accounts and reports of
all kinds describing the destruction of Caerdaff； and of the place in which
it had stood； filled the newspapers of the world。 Photo… graphs and pictures
of Caerdaff as it had been and as it then was were produced with
marvellous rapidity； and the earthquake bomb of the American War
Syndicate was the subject of excited conversation in every civilized
country。 The British Ministry was now the calmest body of men in Europe。
The great opposition storm had died away； the great war storm had ceased；
and the wisest British statesmen saw the unmistakable path of national
policy lying plain and open before them。 There was no longer time for
arguments and struggles with opponents or enemies； internal or external。
There was even no longer time for the discussion of measures。 It was the
time for the adoption of a measure which indicated itself； and which did
not need discussion。 On the afternoon of the day of the bombardment of
Caerdaff； Repeller No。 11； accompanied by her crabs； steamed for the
English Channel。 Two days afterward there lay off the coast at Brighton；
with a white flag floating high above her； the old Tallapoosa； now naval
mistress of the world。 Near by lay a cable boat； and constant
communication by way of France was kept up between the officers of the
American Syndicate and the repeller。 In a very short time communications
were opened between the repeller and London。 When this last step became
known to the public of America； almost as much excited by the recent
events as the public of England； a great disturbance arose in certain
political circles。 It was argued that the Syndicate had no right to negotiate
in any way with the Government of England； that it had been empowered
to carry on a war； and that； if its duties in this regard had been
satisfactorily executed； it must now retire； and allow the United States
Government to attend to its foreign relations。 But the Syndicate was firm。
It had contracted to bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion。 When it
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considered that this had been done； it would retire and allow the American
Government； with whom the contract had been made； to decide whether or
not it had been properly performed。 The unmistakable path of national
policy which had shown itself to the wisest British statesmen appeared
broader and plainer when the overtures of the American War Syndicate
had been received by the British Government。 The Ministry now
perceived that the Syndicate had not waged war； it had been simply
exhibiting the uselessness of war as at present waged。 Who now could
deny that it would be folly to oppose the resources of ordinary warfare to
those of what might be called prohibitive warfare。 Another idea arose in
the minds of the wisest British statesmen。 If prohibitive warfare were a
good thing for America； it would be an equally good thing for England。
More than that； it would be a better thing if only these two countries
possessed the power of waging prohibitive warfare。 In three days a
convention of peace was concluded between Great Britain and the
American Syndicate acting for the United States； its provisions being
made subject to such future treaties and alliances as the governments of
the two nations might make with each other。 In six days after the affair at
Caerdaff； a committee of the American War Syndicate was in London；
making arrangements； under the favourable auspices of the British
Government； for the formation of an Anglo…American Syndicate of War。
The Atlantic Ocean now sprang into new life。 It seemed impossible to
imagine whence had come the multitude of vessels which now steamed
and sailed upon its surface。 Among these； going westward； were six crabs；
and the spring…armoured vessel； once the Tallapoosa； going home to a
triumphant reception； such as had never before been accorded to any
vessel； whether of war or peace。 The blockade of the Canadian port； which
had been effectively maintained without incident； was now raised； and the
Syndicate's vessels proceeded to an American port。 The British ironclad；
Adamant； at the conclusion of peace was still in tow of Crab C； and off the
coast of Florida。 A vessel was sent down the coast by the Syndicate to
notify Crab C of what had occurred； and to order it to tow the Adamant to
the Bermudas； and there deliver her to the British authorities。 The vessel
sent by the Syndicate； which was a fast coast… steamer； had scarcely hove
