g 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 the
news of this American victory: the first joyful tidings after almost
nine months of constant adversity. But then the enthusiasm of the people
broke loose in a perfect hurricane that swept everything before it. In
the rear the crowd began to thin out rapidly, for everybody was anxious
to spread the glad tidings of victory, but their places were soon taken
by 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 suddenly
ran up the bare flagstaff on the roof of the Winders Building, unfurling
with a rustle in the fresh breeze. The secretary pointed up to it, and
at once the jubilant crowd joined once more in the air of the "Star
Spangled Banner."

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

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

The man disappeared noiselessly, and the next moment the ambassador
entered.

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

"I have come to reply to the protest lodged against us by the United
States government for permitting the Japanese to u