The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-06
ITALIANS LOVE
GALLANT king
Ruler Maintains He's No Bet
ter Than People Of His
Kingdom.
GREATLY RESEMBLEST.R R.
Part He Will Play in War Is InAu-
encing Troops and Not Hindenng
General Staff.

Special Cable TO The Washington Herald
Rome. June 5.-Victor Emmanuel III is
mona rch of the most democratic kingdom
in the world When the plain people of
Italy finally forced the nation into war
for the unredeemed Italian lands of
Austria their democratic king decided to
share his soldiers hardships. His action
in taking the field and turning the scep-
ter temporarily over to his uncle, the
Duke of Genoa. has been received with
the widest enthusiasm. and the House
of Savoy was never more popular than
today.
Their monarch just suits Italians. He
is more like an American President than
a European king. Italy for the most part
is intensely republican. with leaning
TO socialism. 1t is greatly tinctured with
American thought, due to the close con-
nection brought about by the return of
emigrants from the New World.
Insists Upon Voting.
His majesty is also republican, with a
drift toward socialism. He has made
three leading Socialists senator's and has
shown in various ways his determination
to solidify his people by exhibiting his
tolerance of this most radical section of
his subjects.
He also requested that his name be
included in the list of electors. He insists
that he be considered an ordinary citi-
zen and he never misses recording his
ballot at the polls after the fashion OF
President Wilson.
In some ways the King resembles
Theodore Roosevelt. He was a sickly
child, like the Colonel, and brought
himself to a hardy manhood by Spar
tan methods. He is a man of almost
universal knowledge. interested in
everything, much like the Oyster Bay
leader. He possesses great energy.
Unlike Roosevelt, he is conservative
in speech and action. He shows great
firmness but without spectacular
methods. But when a bad railway
wreck or an earthquake occurs in
Italy he jumps to the scene in true
Rooseveltian fashion.
Will Not Interfere.
What will the King do in the war?
His part, like the Kaiser's. undoubted-
ly will consist in going from one part
of the battle line to the other, encour-
aging his troops. But Victor Emman-
uel possesses too good sense to inter-
fere with his general staffs in the &C
tual planning of the campaigns.
He is a gallant horseman and this
is a source of qualification to the Ital-
ians. for their cavalry is not surpass-
ed anywhere in the world.
bring back the important prizes in every
horse show they enter.
In person Victor Emmanuel is thor
oughly Italian. His short, powerful fig
ure. sweeping mustachios and cast of
countenance are of a general type often
observed throughout Italy. He is fairer
than most of his people. however, and
blue-eyed.
Poet Praises His King.
Certainly King Victor Emmanuel,
is the right man in the right place
the King Italy needs in this supreme
moment" said the poet Gabrielle dan
nunzio recently after an interview
with the monarch
1T would be impossible to imagine
better informed man." he continued.
On hearing him speak one might al
most receive the impression at one
moment that he was in Paris convers-
ing with a statesman thoroughly con-
versant with the subject from the
French viewpoint; at others. in Berlin,
talking with a minister of the Ger
man Emperor, or in London, in Vienna
Or Petrograd. The Balkans and East
.rn Mediterranean are so familiar to
aim that he might have lived there all
mis- life.
His Iucidity of mind is astounding, |
and only surpassed by his unpreten-
tious manner, which puts one COM
pletely at ease. There is amazement |
that this ruler, in addition to full |
filing the duties of state, could alb !
sorb so much knowledge and pos
sess such a clear and certain percep- |
ion of foreign countries, interests and |
men
Rulers Lead simple Life.
The King and Queen lead a very
simple and informal life for the most |
part. There is scarcely more ceremony
han in the White House. The King |
ioes not spend much on his table The |
Italians often complain that his wines |
are an injustice to the country. What |
ne saves on his cellar the King prob
ably spends on charity for he is the |
leader in every good cause.
AS an illustration of his actions in |
an emergency an incident of the CAL
ADRIAN earthquake of 1905 may be |
cited. When the news of this disaster |
arrived. the King was holding a grand |
oall in his castle at Racconiggi. With |
out an instants hesitation, he flung |
cloak over his uniform, hurried off /
to the scene OF action and tirelessly /
helped in rescuing his hapless sub |
iects. So freely did he expose himself /
that some one ventured to demonstrate |
with him.
why run these unnecessary risks?"
1rged the courtier.
TT is my trade" answered the King |
grimly.
The King will be very busy at his
trade for some time to come.