New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-16
AN IMPERIAL SECRET.
King Edzcdrd's InitiatiUe in ReUqUlng
Erin's Tobacco Grozcing.

DIR. Moritz Sehmidt's elevation by the Kaiser &c
the rank Of a Privy Councillor with the title Of
excellency' constitutes his reward, not alone for
his successful operation the arynx OF his sover-
eign. but likewise for the discretion with which he
watched his Ilustrious patient for two full
months before the knife used 1t IS now
known that the Emperor aware for eight or
ten weeks previous to the operation that there was
something serious the matter with his throat
There were only two persons to whom he impaired
the secret-nameIy, his wife and his principal ply
sician-and so well was it kept that not alone the
public but even the most trusted officials OF his
government and mis- court, well as the members
OF hts family. remained in total ignorance Of his
condition until the day on which the operation took
place. and when the news finally impaired to
the world at large 1t was accompanied by an
authoritative announcement that the growth in
the throat not of maIignant-that is TO say,
Of e cancerous-character.
During all those ten weeks the Emperor was IN
der the almost constant supervision of Professor
Schmidt, the most eminent specialist in Germany
perhaps In Europe-and who one Of the most
trusted medical attendants OF Emperor Frederick
during the last year OF the Iatters life. The pro-
fessOr knowing the inuenfce OF heredity in the
case OF the cancerous ailments was afraid to make
an announcement until assured Of his diagnosis
This could be defined with absolute certainty
until the operation had taken place. and the opera
ton itself could be performed until the growth
had sufficiently natured Yet cautious and dis
Greet was the professor that at court
dreamed of the secret. which the Emperor. the
Empress, Dr. Leuthold and Professor Schmidt
alone to share or had any idea of the anxiety
which all four underwent in those long and weary
weeks until the operation at length allowed the
eminent surgeon TO declare that the alarming
growth in his sovereign's throat was not Of ma
ignant and cancerous character.
Rarely has a secret been better kept and the
German people are not unmoved by the considera-
ton which the imperial couple have manifested
for their feelings in keeping them in the dark about
the matter until they could at the same time re-
assure them to the nature OF the malady.
OF course stories will continue to circulate for
some time longer to the effect that the Emperor
is really suffering from cancer OF the throat. in
spite OF the fact that Professor Schmidt and four
of the leading physicians OF Europe have staked
their professional regulations the assertion that
the Kaiser IS free from any ailment OF that char
acter. and every piece Of news that can be con-
strued so confirm the tale will be used to
bolster VI this altogether unfounded belief. 1t may
rumor-which originated no one knows how. and
which has spread far and wide, especially among
the lower classes in Germany-to the effect that
the Empercrs only daughter is bereft OF the power
of speech Yet who has seen little Princess
Luischen.' about twelve years old driving with
her father mother chattering sayly them full
of life and fun and popular favOriJe with every
body at Berlin and Potsdam would give minutes
credence to the story that she is dumb. In fact,
there is no nerrer little chatterboG at the Court
OF Berlin than the only daughter of the Emperor
and Empress and their favorite child