At the request of the Mayor, Captain Dornfeld, bearer of the ultimatum, withdrew to the anteroom.
The first to speak was the Comptroller, who said: "Obviously the thing to be done is to ascertain what are the facts of the military and naval situation. We should send a request to Governor's Island for the immediate attendance here of the Commander of the Department of the East."
"That I have already done," said the Mayor. "He was to return to-day from a tour of inspection, and my secretary has by this time, doubtless, met him. He should be with us in a few minutes. Meanwhile, gentlemen, what are you prepared to do in this emergency?"
"I am satisfied," said one of the Mayor's invited guests, who was famous alike as a pacificist and philanthropist, "that this whole thing is a colossal April
