The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-09-25

Of THE KAISER
KEPT SECRET
VISITS FRONT OFTENER THAN
ANY OTHER RUlE-REVlEWS
TROOPS, BUT is GONE BEFORE
HIS PRESENCE is KNOWN

Behind the Somme Front, Sept. @.
There never was a time when so |
little was known of the Kaiser's |
movements as at present When he
decides upon a trip to some point on
hte front, it is kept as secret as pos
sible, and If ever reported in the Ger
man press is delayed until the royal
visitor is far away-perhaps on the
other side of the empire. It IS be-
lieved Emperor William visits the
front more frequently than any other
ruler.
Recently correspondents visiting
the southern section of the Somme
front did not learn until well pas;
midnight that the emperor at uinc
O'Clock on the morning of the day
just breaking would review as many
of the troops as could be assembled
at a point a few miles back from the
fighting but still within the sound of
the guns.
The correspondents were on hand
before the appointed time-an1 had
chance to see some maneuyering
that would have done credit to Erst
line troops in peace time. On the
dot of nine the companies drew up
in parade formation on a broad level
ground that was formerly backyard
of an ancient chateau. Thcy formed
three sides of a square, at one end of
which was a military band, and IN
the center the officers.
Half an hour after the appointed
time the Kaiser arrived ir lean,
gray automobile. He sprans from
the car with the vigor of Il young
man. He wore the helmet Of a gen.
eral of infantry, but the tall boots,
coming in front high above the knee
of cuirrasier. He east from his
shoulders the long gray cape with
fur collar in which he Is shown in
his favorite pictures and with
stride of long steps lifting each foot
high from the ground. His Majesty
walked toward that end of the forma-
tion where the bani stood His
standard bearers, wnp always walk
behind with his flag, had their work
cut out for them as he dtrode ahead.
At first he paused just a moment,
greeted the general in command,
bowed and saluted to other officers,
and then turned down the line. He
walked as one attempting to go
through a dewy pasture and still
keep ones feet reasonably dry, with
great high steps.
After making the rounds Of three
turned and strode to the center to
chat with the various high officers
gathered there, and then began to
pin orders and medals on the breasts
if the chosen few.
1t was only at the conclusion OF
| this ceremony that correspondents
standing at a little distance had
chance to see His Majesty at close
range. and to get a good look at his
scanned and lined, but strong, healthy
vigorous face.
After the decorating the Kaiser
walked to the roadway that leads by
the chateau, then faced about and
prepared to review the troops. Most
of them were new troops, probably
few had ever marched by their en-
peror before, and it was possible to
detect some nervousness. But they
paraded in the goose-step as brayely
and as stiffly as ever did a like set
of men on the Tempelhofer Field.
The commander made the custom
airy address in which he pledged 10y
atty to His Majesty and a firm deter
mination to fight on. His voice rose
and fell with emotion, and what he
said obviously affected the emperor
The Kaiser answered in a voice that
from a distance was hard to under
stand though it was silyer-clear and
more highly pitched than that OF his
general. The soldiers. however, could
hear It, and their faces glowed as
their emperor thanked them.
The parade ended as abruptly as 1t
began. The emperor, hastily dom
ming his fur-collared cape, sprang
back into his gray limousine and
was of.