THE INVASION OF 1910

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 14061, 16 May 1906, Page 8

THE INVASION OF 1910

IN FOUR YEARS TIME! IS ENGLAND UNPREPARED ? THE CLOUD “NO DIGGER THAN A MAN’S HAND I” THE STORY OP THE CENTURY! The Proprietors of the “ Canterbury Times.’-’, have pleasure in announcing that, from TO-DAY (Wednesday), May IG, the popular family, journal will commence tho publication of the most : thrilling story of modern times, Mr William, Le... C^ueux’s “ THE INVASION OF 1910.” This graphic, picturesque and sensational story, founded upon a basis of inevitable and convincing truth, purposes to show in narrative form, the unpreparednesg of Great Britain for a descent upon her .shores by a powerful Foreign Power. The story is written with all tho emphatic impress of conviction. . It is absolute in its technique, startling in the fidelity of its detail, convincing in its manner, prophetic in its unfailing hostility to tho methods of the War Department, sure in its touch, [ and uncompromisingly hostile to tho attitude of “ laisses fair©” which has characterised the administration of the Army and Navy for years past. Speaking of this remarkable novel in the Hon-cC of Lords, Lord Roberts said: . It is to tie people of the country I appeal to tako up the question of the Army in a sensible, practical manner. For the sake of nil thoy hold dear, let them bring home to themselves what would be the condition of Great Britain if it were to lose its wealth, its power, its position. IChe catastrophe that may happen if we still remain in our present state of unproparedness is vividly and forcibly illustrated in Mr Le Queux's new book, which I recommend to the perusal of everyone who' hae the welfare of the British Empire at heart. The copyright of the novel has been purchased by the proprietors of_ tho “ Canterbury Times ” at great cest, and the story will be given to its readers in substantial weekly instalments^ The opening chapters relate in detail the story of tho landing of the Gormans in Great Britain upon the coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk. T4ie landing is supposed to have been effected at Lowestoft, on the morning of Sunday, September 2, 1910. The first intimation of the descent of the Germans was gathered through the “ Weekly Despatch ” being cut off whilst in tho receipt of some important news telegrams from Yarmouth. Inquiry disclosed that the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts were both completely cut off from telephone and telegraph ’ communication. Tho authorities were mystified and alarmed, for there had been no climatic disturbances of such a nature as to break down five separate- routes of communication. At the height of the confusion which ensued there came a call from the Ipswich office, where a breathless motorist had a story to tell. The motorist stated that he started in his motor-car alone from Lowestoft to London at halfpast past three in the morning, and just as it was getting light he was passing along the edge of Menham Bark, between’Wangford village and Blythburgh, when , he-saw three men apparently repairing the telegraph wires. One was up the pole and the other two wore standing below. ,As he passed he saw a flash, for, to his‘surprise, one of the men fired point-blank at him with a revolver. Fortunately, the shot went wide, and lie at once put on a move and got down into Blythburgh village, even though one of the tyres went down. It had probably been pierced by the bullet fired at him, as the puncture was unlike any he had ever had before. At Blythburgh he informed the police of the outrage, and the constable in turn woke up the postmaster, who tried to telegraph, back to the • police at Wrentham, but found that the line was interrupted. Was it possible, that the men were cutting the wires, instead of repairing them ? Ho says that after repairing this puncture he took the village constable and three other men on. his car and wont hqck to the spot, whore, although tho trio had escaped, they saw that wholesale havoc-had been wrought with tho telegraphs. Tho lines had been severed in four or five places, and whole lengths tangled up into great masses. A number of poles had been sawn down, and were lying about the roadside. Seeing that nothing could be done, the gentleman remounted his car, came on to Ipswich, and reported the damage at the call office. The verification of the story quickly followed, and a tardy attempt to interview the War Office authorities was frustrated by the fact that it was Sunday morning, and that nobody save a few understrappers, who were disposed to treat the story with contempt, were in charge. At last those to whom tho position had been made known managed to find the Under-Secretary of State for War, who, hastening to - London, arrived to find tho city in an uproar and a ferment of horror and fear. The steps that were taken to combat the invasion, the ultimate result of the campaign, and the dreadful disasters and phenomenal triumphs which accompanied it, are worked out in a masterly and graphic manner. The story develops" with startling rapidity, and the accuracy of its detail is only surpassed by the vivid interest which has been cast into its construction. Nothing of such phenomenal fictional excitement, or of such lively importance, has been published for years. ; The Story is: - A FRANK AND FORCEFUL CRITICISM OF DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION. A GRAPHIC PROPHECY OF FEARLESS PROMINENCE. AN INVINCIBLE INDICTMENT OF INEPTITUDE. A POWERFUL PROTEST AGAINST POLITICAL PROSTITUTION. A BREATHLESS AND SOUL-STIR-RING STORY. Its publication will begin in the “ Canterbury Times ” of, TO-DAY (May 16), ami will continue from week to week. As the issue will he a limited one, it will be necessary for agents and individuals to place their orders at once. Remember, THE FIRST INSTALMENT TO-DAY. Do not miss the First Number.