On their way home in
Cappy's carriage the old gentleman, apropos of the afternoon press
dispatches from Europe, remarked that the situation abroad was
anything but encouraging.
"Do you think we'll have a war in Europe?" Matt queried.
"Germany seems determined to back up Austria in her demands on Serbia,
and I don't think Serbia will eat quite all of the dish of dirt
Francis Joseph has set before her," Cappy answered seriously.
"Austria seems determined to make an issue of the assassination of the
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. If she does, Matt, there'll be the
most awful war in history. All Europe will be fighting."
Matt was silent and thoughtful all the way home, but just before they
left the carriage he turned to Cappy.
"If there's war," he remarked, "England will, doubtless, control the
seas because of her superior navy. German commerce will absolutely
cease."
"The submarine will have to be reckoned with, also," Cappy suggested.
"England's commerce will doubtless be knocked into a cocked hat."
"There'll be a shortage of bottoms, and vessels will be in brisk
demand," Matt predicted. "There'll be a sharp rise in freight rates
on all commodities the instant war breaks out, and the American
mercantile marine ought to reap a harvest."
"My dear boy," said Cappy acidly, "why speak of the American
mercantile marine? There ain't no such animal.
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