The communications, both public and private, took the form of a modest
circular dated from the offices of the International Electrical Power
and Storage Trust, Buffalo, N.Y. Those which were addressed to the
crowned heads of Europe were accompanied by autograph letters
respectfully requesting the personal attention of the monarch to the
contents of the circular. The circular ran as follows:--
The Secretary of the International Electrical Power and Storage
Trust is directed by his Board of Managers to inform the ruling
sovereigns and peoples of Europe of the following facts, and to
request their most serious attention to the same:--
_A._ The Directors of the Trust view with great concern the
formidable military and naval preparations which have lately been
made by the Powers of Europe. In their opinion, these preparations
point to a near outbreak of hostilities on such an immense scale
that not only must a vast expenditure of blood and money be
inevitable, but the commerce of the world will be most injuriously
affected.
_B._ This Trust is a business concern. Its Directors have no
international sympathies whatever, and they don't want war. At the
same time, if the Powers of Europe are determined to fight, the
Trust will permit them to do so on payment of a capitation fee of
the equivalent in the money of each respective country of one
dollar per head of effective fighting men in the field per
week--fees to be paid into the Bank of England within seven days
after the commencement of hostilities. A liberal allowance will be
made for killed and wounded if official returns are promptly sent
to the London office of the Trust, 56_b_ Old Broad Street, London,
E.C.
_C._ Prompt attention to the foregoing paragraphs is earnestly
requested for the following reasons:--(1) The Trust has acquired
control of the electrical forces of the Northern Hemisphere, and
is, therefore, in a position to make all the operations of
civilised life, including warfare, possible or impossible, as its
commercial arrangements may demand. (2) One week from the date
above will be given for the Powers of Europe to settle their
differences without fighting or to accede to the terms offered by
the Trust. Failing this, the Northern Hemisphere, with certain
exceptions, will be deprived of its electrical force. The
consequences of this will be that cables and telegraphs will cease
to work, and all machinery constructed of iron or steel will break
down if operated. Railroads will become useless, and bridges of
metallic construction will collapse as soon as any considerable
weight is placed upon them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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