New-York tribune., 1907-10-27

OF Socialism which threatened him at home,
hoping by combat abroad to reunlte his own
people.
The Kaiser demanded an apology from the
British press but Englishmen were not ac-
ctstomed to bending the knee. even though
me lack of fleXIbilIty might cause the loss OF
lie. Lac--Ing nothing IN bravery, they reluC
t1ntlv faced a crisis rather than brook humlll-
at-1g domination Their answer therefore
was bellicoSe
Germany at once began an ominous assem-
bling of her fleets in strategic waters, from which
on a moments notice they might sail forth.
France stood dIplOmatICally alOOf hoping per
haps that when the world had wearied OF
fighting she might be in a position to gam by
plungng into the fray. AlsaCe Lorraine was
still mouned, and her monument in the Place
de la COnCOTde draped
Then, at the very moment when II seemed
that England would be compelled to beat
back an invading army from her shores, there
came an unexpected lull. The British press
had been predicting a declaration OF war with
in twenty-four hours when the change took
place At the first days delay the well in
formed wondered, and when two days had
passed. and finally three. 1t became certain
that some very unusual event had taken
place in Berlin.
Rumors began to creep to London, to Paris,
and soon the whole world knew, despite Ger
manys attempts to keep the matter a secret,
that on the very eve of a crisis the Kaiser, the
most dominant figure in Europe. had d1sap-
peared Nor was that all
As if TO emphasize the fact that 1t could
have been through no mental alteration that
he had gone. the Chancellor of Germany had
disappeared at the same time. That some
thing incXplicable had taken place was known
within few hours after the Kaiser and Chan
ceor were last seen On the night of their
disappearance they had been ClOseted together
with the most trusted military adviser of the
Empire This latter officer fat1gued by duties
which had tried him beyond his years. had
Al
where 1t was held there was a telephone used
only bV certain privileged ones who, by means
Of a stated signal To the switchboard operator.
could gain communication Who these We're
none but the Kaiser knew.
This operator told the secret service men OF
the Empire that few minutes past midnight
he had answered a call and received the pass
word which caused him TO make the desired
connection with the Emperor telephone. and
"a conversation OF some minutes ensued. which,
owing TO the arrangement OF the instruments.
he was unable TO hear.
The guards of the palace were called 70 the
council room and instructed 10y the kdl5er IN
person 20 admit a man who would present
plain card within "a few MINUTES They re-
ported that a carriage drove up TO the outer
gate and q gcntlemanlv appearing stranger
who spoke perfect German handed out a slip
,i pa-tcboard on which nothing whatever
was printed or engraved Fearing, despite
their MASTER Instructions that the man
tated, whcrcupou the visitor reading their
suspicious. told them that they might search
him If they wished. which they did This
was carried out with even more than customary
care. and the man was found 20 have absolutely
nothing m his pockets He was dressed IN the
regulation dinner suit as II he had lately come
from some club
Still suspecti0E something unusual IN such q
singular visit and admission AZ tins hour ot
the morning the guards escorted him % the
council room and waited at attention IN the
doorway when ms presence was announced.
To their surprise the Emperor smiled as If IN
recognition. babe his visitor Good evening
IN English, and dismissed the soldiers Re
assured by this action. the men had resumed
their accustomed posts. thinking no more ot
the matter and regarding It simply 1s one OF
tn" unusual appointments which are made III
such troublIus tImcs.
In less than an hour. during all 1t which time
the guard az the door had heard voice. IN
seeming conversation participated m 10y the
three persons within the room. he heard the
Emperor and the Chancellor burst into most
uuu ui and hearty laughter y few minute~
later hc was surpri-ei when the Emperor came
from the room and Went % ms drc- my cham
Der from which he emerged IN the p.4inc>t
9t eiviiian clothing. after which Dec bcykouet :,
his TWO companions
= .