Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
BACKED WILLIAMS EYE
New Version of the Incident on German
Emperor's Yacht.
Now Said That Lieut.. Won Hahnke
Made n Vigorous Assault ON
Young War Lord.

Berlin special to the Philadelphia
Times says:
The story of the kaiser's black eve and
Won Hahnke's suicide is still going the
rounds in this city. The black eye of mis-
majesty. so it is given out was merely the
result of the bursting Of a cable with which
he came in contact. Won Hahnk2 so they
have told US, is dead sure enough, but he
poor fellow tumbled Off his wheel headlong
over cliff, and they produced a bicycle
at the top of the cliff to give plausibility
to the yarn.
From what can be gathered of the affair,
the facts are substantially as follows: on
July 10, while the Hohenzollern was an
choring in the neighborhood of the Land
ven lake, the kaiser came on deck while
Hahnke was riding around on his bicycle
a practice which, though forbidden by the
commander OF the yacht. had been per-
mitted to- the younger officers on board by
his majesty himself.
The kaiser on that morning had evidently
forgotten this, and when he saw Hahnke
be called out: Get eff that wheel, lieu;en-
ant, and report to the captain your breach
of discipline. You will remain. in your
cabin for the EeXt three days
This rebuke was given in the presence of
several officers and in front of line Of SOL
diers. Hahnke did he was hidden, dis
mounting with the customary words, '.At
cended to the bridge to report himself to
the captain, his majesty called out, impe-
riously: Dare not mount those steps. They
are reserved for the kaiser. You are not
worthy to crawl where the chief war lord
walks"
Hahpke turned as if stung. He was
white with rage. Il am an officer, like
your majesty he said, land allow no one
to insult me. / will report in your maj
esty's cabin presently and demand salts
faction"
With that he started to go below, the
emperor following. You little upstart,"
cried Wilhelm, Il will have the epauiettes
torn from your shoulders and your sword
broken as an ungrateful and mischievous
servant
..Servantw cried Hahnke and with that
his right arm shot out and his fist landed
on the emperors left eye. Then he threw
himself upon Wilhelms staggering form
and was about to hurl him to the deck
when the witnesses of the affair grabbed
him and bore him off.
The kaiser was helped to his feet and
carried to his cabin. The great war lord
was indeed sorry spectacle. His eye was
bleeding ard he frothed at the mouth.
while CRYING for Hahnke's blood. He or
dered a court-martial to be held immediate
ly.
Hahnke was roughly handled by his
brother officers on being dragged to his
cabin, but his comrades soon recovered
from their first anger and held hasty
council Of war. in which it was decided
that he should bezput ashore al once so as
TO give him sn opportunity TO escape an
ignominous death and military disgrace,
for it is capital offenSe in Germany to
raise ones hand against royalty, let alone
backing the emperors eye. So poor Hahn
Ike. after giving up his sword to the cap
tain and donning civilian dress, was hus-
tied into a steam launch and landed at the
shore Of the lake.
When the kaiser recovered from the
shock of this extraordinary affair he was
disposed to court-martial the captain and
his entire staff of officers for allowing the
criminal to escape, but after awhile he was
persuaded that the course taken was the
best one after all. Upon the captains ad-
vice, Hahnke's bicycle was brought ashore
during the night and thrown over the rocks
at the falls. There 1t was discovered next
day by the natives, and thus the story that
the young man met with a bicycle accident
gained credence.
AS matter of fact, young Hahnke lived
ten days after leaving the Hohenzollern
staying at a peasants hut In the neigh
borhood of the lake. During that time he
in which he told them that he had engaged
himself on his word of honor to commit
suicide, while guilty of no offense In the
eyes of the world at large. He must have
drowned himself about the I'D or 23d of
July. or shortly after that and, to make
certain his drowning, weighted his pockets
with lead and also hung piece Of lead on
his neck.
A similar version of the story is circu-
lating in naval circles in Kiel and the
kaisers provoking attitude toward Hahnke
is there characterized as his usual mid
summer madness"