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Show THE GREAT DREADNOUGHT HOAX One morning, says that master of "make-up." Wily Clarkson, the commander com-mander In chief at Portland. Kncland. received a telegram to announce the Impending arrival of a party of Abyssinian Abys-sinian princes, and asking that officer to show the distinguished visitors over the flagship, Tbe telegram was signed sign-ed "Hardlnge." At the same time a party or young men might have b-en (but wore not) observed leaving my premises In Wardour street, whence they entrained at Paddlngion for Weymouth. Wey-mouth. The whole exploit wos planned plan-ned with extreme car and if hearsed In advonce, so as to avoid the pussl-blllty pussl-blllty of discover-. When the party arrived at Its destination It was seen that the telegram had had Its desired de-sired effect. A steam pinnace was In waiting, and the vlnltors, presenting n most realistic and remarkable spectacle, spec-tacle, were taken on board tbe "Thread-nought." "Thread-nought." All the usual marks of hon or were accorded them, and unly one objection was raised on board the vessel. ves-sel. That was not the bona fides of the party, but referred only to a German Ger-man member of the deputation going round the ship. An explanation was forthcoming that the mother of the gentleman was nn English woman, and he was allowed to accompany the others on their tour of Inspection. The "princes," through their Interpreter, expressed their almost childlike appreciation appre-ciation of everything connected with their vIslL and pressed upon one of the officers an "Abyssinian Order'- as a mark of their regard. ls acceptance being contrary to the regulations. The hoax could not possibly have been more successful, but without doubt the telegram, which put everyone on board the battleship off their guard, rendered the greatest nrslstanco to to the perpetrators. |