“At last accounts, in Honolulu, or at least expected there. She sailed from Panama some weeks ago,” Commander Tazewell replied thoughtfully. “There’s no cable to Honolulu, so if she is to come here, word must be dispatched by steamer from San Francisco. If Stump has heard correctly, the count knew that a Herzovinian war-ship was waiting in Auckland to bring the government’s orders to annex or not to annex. That, according to the count, would depend upon the diplomatic conditions. Of course,” the commander added, “there can be no question of a European war over Kapua. The thing would be impossible, and not worth the life of a single soldier or sailor.” Phil shook his head, much puzzled over the situation. “It’s all very confusing to me, sir,” the lad said. “The personal feelings between the Herzovinians on one side and the English and ourselves on the other are so strongly antagonistic that I’m sure if we were put ashore together and left there for a week we would be fighting, although for the life of me I can’t see what it would be about. I haven’t any personal interest in Kapua and really admire the Herzovinians greatly, yet I am as antagonistic as any one to her getting the islands.” Commander Tazewell laughed in high amusement. “Yes,” he replied, “it is remarkable how men isolated as we are focus our minds upon local affairs that should not really influence us. Here am I, out of cable communication with Washington. I see this nation through private individuals plot to take over a group of islands in which the country I represent has one-third share. If I precipitate a fight with a foreign power in order to retain that one-third right given us by treaty, I may find upon receipt of mail that the government has decided to relinquish its claim. Meanwhile through my action blood may have been spilled.” “Why does a government, like ours especially, so often change its mind in these international affairs?” Phil asked. “It doesn’t change its mind often,” the commander smilingly replied, “for it seldom makes up its mind. There is one thing, Mr. Perry, that few people seem to thoroughly understand, and our government has always disregarded. It is the relation between our international acts and our armed forces: the army and navy. “If there exists a large army and a navy to back up our demands, then the other countries will cheerfully grant them, but if the army and navy are small and weak, then the demands are not granted.” Phil nodded his head. He was having explained a problem over which he had long puzzled. “So you believe then that whether Herzovinia gets Kapua or loses it depends upon the relative power of her army and navy?” he asked.