New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-23

While there is no truth in the ridiculous story
according 10 which the Kaiser seized an inl1stand
from the writing table 10 hurl at the head OF the
late Prince Bismarck n the heated interview be
tween them Just before the old Chancellor left
bfice there having been 10 writing table or ink
stand in the first floor room OF the WilhelHstrasse
Palace where the memorable meeting took place,
something OF the kind did occur between the late
King William OF Holland and his Premier al the
time Of the Franco-German War, and II is probable
that this has been applied the Kaiser and his
Chancellor. the confusion being facilitated by the
fact that both monarchs were Williams"
The King Of Holland IN 1870 had announced his
Accumulation 10 Join his friend NAPOLEON III in the
latte-'s war against Germany Popular feeling in
Holland was strongly opposed TO taking part in the
conflict. But 50 ungovernable was the temper Of
the king that not even his ministers. would
venture 10 point out him the danger Of his
projected course. Al length old Privy Councillor
named Thorbecke. who had held the Premiership
On several occasions. and who was special object
o. aversion 10 the King, undertook the task and
proceeded 10 the palace OF Het-Loo. On perceiy1ng
him the King hlurted out roughly. without rising:
Good morning: good morning. What do you
want? What's the newsT
Nothing in particular, your majesty. only the
EaFuers are talking a good deal Of nonsense
Il hope II is only about those idotic ministers OF
mine. and about me-
Yes sire. it is about your majesty"
About me about me-" exclaimed the cholerio
-norarcb with growing wrath What may they
say about rne2 Tel me- insist"
Well sire" answered the old statesman. slowly
sps i-1pressivelv the Haguers declare that your
majesty has become stark. staring mad as
Before he could utter another word the King
had Jumped 70 his feet and, purple IN the face
raised q heavy silver inkstand alott with the in
tention OF hurting II at the head OF his former
Premier Fortunately, projecting angie OF the
irkstsnc had been caught in the table cover and
while dragging everything of the table had arrested
the fight OF the missile.
Sire" exclaimed ThoTbecke. stepping UP close
70 me King but without betraying the slightest
trace OF emotion either IN his speech attitude
ssf your majesty does hurl that inkstand my
head the Eaguers will have been correct in their
assertions"
For minute the fat little King gazed in silence
an the lean, Iank phlegmatic old Dutchman before
him Neither uttered q word. Then gradually
William lowered HIS arm and replaced the fnkstand
on the table after which he walked one OF the
I've minutes Returning 70 the table he resumed
hrs seat. motioneo Thorbecke 70 another one, and
then exclaimed as II nothing had happened:
and now ten me what you have 10 say"
An hour later when the old statesman left the
palace he carried away with him the monarch's
promise 70 issue within uwenty-fOUr hours proca-
nation declaring the neutrality OF Holland Had
he not done so Germany would have been forced
10 occupy the Netherlands and Dutch independence
would have been at an end II has always seemed
10 me that Holland owes much 10 old Thorbecke.
and above ell 10 that massive silver nkstand. which
now figures in Queen Wilhelmina's private audience
chamber at Loo.