The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-05
WILLIAMS BLACK EYE.
Another story of How the Emperor
Came to BE Disfgured.


VIM. E. Curtis, in the Chicago Record.
A very sensational story is being whis-
pered about Berlin concerning the fate of
the young naval officer who was in charge
of the deck on the royal yacht during the
recent cruise of the emperor, when the
latter received a painful injury. Accord
ing to the circumstances as understood
here the emperor himself was more TO
blame for the accident than anybody else
The sailors were taking down an awning
that sheltered the afterdeck upon which
his majesty was sitting. The wind was
blowing, the canvas was Tapping and one
of the cords which are used to fasten it
was accidentally thrown toward the en-
perez, so that the knot struck him in the
eye with considerable violence. The in
jury was very painful for time, but not
serious. The surgeons bathed the eye with
lotions and the emperor was compelled to
keep his cabin for several hours.
AS the world knows, he is a man of I'M
controllable passion and is exceedingly
sensitive to physical pain. According to
the story told in Berlin he had a tantrum
after the accident but the incident was
allowed to be forgotten until a few days
ago. when the Lieutenant, who was in
command of the deck and superintendent
the removal of the awning, mysteriously
disappeared. His father is a soldier of
high rank and of noble family, and one
of the most loyal supporters of the emper-
or. The young man himself had been a
favorite with his majesty, but the latter
never forgives or fofgets.
Only two or three years ago there was
an incident almost parallel. The kaiser
stepped on something on the deck of his
yacht was thrown down and his leg was
twisted so that he was compelled to use
crutches for several days. The lieutenant,
who was officer of the deck at that time,
also mysteriously disappeared shortly aft
er and has never been heard of since.
There are various and contradictory ex-
plantations, but nobody knows which is
the true one. In the present case it is
claimed that the officer, who was standing
by when the emperor's eye was injured,
went out for a bicycle ride at the next
town the yacht touched and accidentally
fell over precipice. 1t is said that the
bicycle has been recovered, but not the
body, which leaves a suspicion as to the
truthfulness of the report. IL Is said, too,
that fifty men are still searching for the
remains by the emperors orders and at
his expense, which may or may not be
true. 1t is impossible to learn any further
particulars. The officers of the yacht and
the members of the emperor's party are
extremely reticent. The newspapers dare
not print a word concerning the matter
The people will not even discuss it except
in the strctest privacy, because they fear
that any comments they may indulge in
wifi be reported to the police. If any news
paper or individual should attempt an in
quiry or an investigation he would land
straightway in jail This secrecy and ter
rorism give an excuse for most sensational
and incredible rumors. Those who defend
the emperor on all occasions say that a
satisfactory. explanation will be made as
soon as he returns; but William II seldom
explains anything.