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248 treaty, by which the United States undertook to keep order and open transit across the Isthmus.

If they would do it then, why not now? Anyway, he decided to stake everything upon this probability.

But to reassure himself he went again to the State Department. Mr. Loomis introduced him to the Secretary, John Hay. It was well known that this great statesman regarded the completion of the canal of transcendant importance to the world.

In discussing the matter Bunau-Varilla said;

"When all the counsels of prudence and friendship have been made in vain, there comes a moment when one has to stand still and await events."

"These events," he asked the Secretary, "what do you think they will be?"

"The whole thing will end in a revolution," answered this master of revolution. "You must take your measures if you do not want yourself to be taken by surprise."