I replied giving price, and stated we could supply the pamphlets in two years.  Our facilities were small and a hundred thousand booklets looked like an awful undertaking.

The result was that I gave Mr. Daniels permission to reprint the article in his own way.  He issued it in booklet form in editions of half a million.  Two or three of these half-million lots were sent out by Mr. Daniels, and in addition the article was reprinted in over two hundred magazines and newspapers.  It has been translated into all written languages.

[Sidenote:  Prince Hilakoff]

At the time Mr. Daniels was distributing the “Message to Garcia,” Prince Hilakoff, Director of Russian Railways, was in this country.  He was the guest of the New York Central, and made a tour of the country under the personal direction of Mr. Daniels.  The Prince saw the little book and was interested in it, more because Mr. Daniels was putting it out in such big numbers, probably, than otherwise.

[Sidenote:  The Russian railroad-men]

In any event, when he got home he had the matter translated into Russian, and a copy of the booklet given to every railroad employee in Russia.

Other countries then took it up, and from Russia it passed into Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, Hindustan and China.  During the war between Russia and Japan, every Russian soldier who went to the front was given a copy of the “Message to Garcia.”

[Sidenote:  The war in the East]

The Japanese, finding the booklets in possession of the Russian prisoners, concluded that it must be a good thing, and accordingly translated it into Japanese.

And on an order of the Mikado, a copy was given to every man in the employ of the Japanese Government, soldier or civilian.  Over forty million copies of “A Message to Garcia” have been printed.

[Sidenote:  Its great circulation]

This is said to be a larger circulation than any other literary venture has ever attained during the lifetime of the author, in all history—­thanks to a series of lucky accidents!—­E.H.

[Illustration:  ]

A MESSAGE TO GARCIA

    As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful
    messenger to them that send him:  for he refresheth the soul of
    his masters.—­Proverbs xxv: 13

In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars at perihelion.

[Sidenote:  The President needed a man]

When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the Insurgents.  Garcia was somewhere in the mountain fastnesses of Cuba—­no one knew where.  No mail or telegraph message could reach him.  The President must secure his co-operation, and quickly.  What to do!

[Sidenote:  And found one]