The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-25
HE HAD A ROYAL FIT.
DR.. H. Mel. Morton Tells How
Kaiser Wilhelm Was Convulsed
by Gen. Young's Witticism
Many Highly Interesting Events
Were Crowded Into DR.. Nor
tons Summer Abroad.

1t was at the grand function at the
palace Of the Hohenzollerns in the even
ing following the recent field maneuvers
OF the German army on the outskirts Of
Berlin. In all that brilliant assemblage
there were no more imposing, more mill
tary looking men than the two American
officers. Generals Young and Corbin, who
hobnobbed with royalty and got on
famously with the ladies.
The German emperor himself was at
tracted by their appearance.
Have you been in Germany before?"
asked his htghness, as he grasped Gen.
eral Young's disengaged hand.
We'll, not in this part Of Germany"
replied the general. with twinkling eye.
What part, if 1 may ask" resumed
the kaiser.
In Milwaukee and Cincinnati"
The American joke struck home with
full force and Emperor William roared
until he nearly split the royal waistband
1t made such hit with him that he
was not content to be the sole benefi-
ciary. Crossing the hall. he leaned low
over the kaiserin and retailed to her the
generals witticism, which threw her into
corresponding CONFUSION Of laughter
This incident Of the grand ball is
vouched for by Dr. Howard Mel. Morton
Of 408 Andrus building. He was pres
ent and overheard 1t.
DR.. Morton has just returned from a
protracted trip abroad. He was in Ger
many most Of the time, and he recalls as
one Of the most interesting events of the
trip, the review of the German army by
the emperor, whose special guests were
King Victor Emmanuel of Italy and the
b American generals. While this country
representatives were dressed plainly COM
pared with the rich regalia of other army
orncers present 1t was a fact generally
commented upon that they had by far the
most military bearing.
There were between sc, 900 and 60 900
troops in line said DR.. Morton, land I,
for one. was tremendously impressed with
the military resources of the German en-
p1re The presence Of Victor Emmanuel.
who strongly champions the disarmament
OF Europe, may have been significant in
the light Of Andrew Carnegies recent ad-
dress at ST. Andrews, favoring the
United States of Europe
Never before had 1 appreciated the true
greatness of Germany. 1t has already
surpassed England from an industrial
lance is second only to that of the United
States. The uniication of the German
states seems complete. Instead Of Jealous
states, they are at last a homogeneous
people. working for the common good OF
their united country. Paris excepted,
their cities the most beautiful in the
world, and they are fully as up-to-date
as ours. The electric street railways OF
Berlin, while they may not surpass, are
just as good as those of MINNEAPOLIS In
respect to most other modern improve
ments, they seem fully abreast of us
In England DR.. and Mrs. Morton were
fortunate in securing select reserved seats
from which they secured the best possible
view Of the coronation. What impressed
the doctor most at that spectacle was the
remarkable order Of the millions who
crowded the huge metropolis. Police in
reference was seldom necessary The
people were fully impressed with the ne
cessity of order, and the occasion was
such as to put them their best be-
havior At the same time it was. re-
marked by foreigners generally that in no
other country would it have been posi-
BILE for a crowd to behave itself under
such circumstances without creating any
disturbance. 1t wasn't the fear of the
law. but the Individual disposition of the
people to pay tribute Of respect to the
head Of government.
At The Hague the tourists happened to
stay at the same hotel which shelter
ing the Boer generals De Wet and Botha.
Far from being plain, rough and-ready
men, with an Indifference to dress or per-
sonal appearance, DR.. Morton has yet to
see prominent men Of more elegant or
aristocratic bearing. They dress in the
height of style and are surrounded by a
retinue Of Wallets and servants.