The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-14
puNI Won HAESELER
| FOOLED HIS EMPEROR
|onxed and Grfxzied Warrior of YER
dun Is Idol of Hts Veteran
Troops.

rim. March 1s.--Fisid Marshal
|, / Won Haeseler, eighty years old,
itting his horse rs straight as
row. is the adviser of the Crown
se and the real commander at
.un.
d lie bronzed and grfzzled warrior
he idol of his soldiers He is a
ran, Indeed. for he fought through
the wars of 1864. 1885 and 1870.
Despite his age Count Won Haeseler
one Of the most modern and I'M
,btedly one of the most important
German generals. He Is held up
the soldiers as an example of the
ie Spartan. He drinks only milk.
hors alcohol, and In this direction
had q tremendous moral influence
ION his troops even In time Of peace.
On horseback---ridiny is the aged
neral's favorite sport--he presents
ktriking picture. He sits as straight
the youngest recruit, and his
kaoth-shaven, wrinkled but rosy
eked; face contrasts singular.y with
> flowing snow-white hair.
"A great fund of stories has been built
on Count Won Haeseler. The most
mous OF the anecdotes told about
IN ID that of the time when he FOOL
the kaiser" as one can hear Ger
hn schooiboys tell.
| 1t was during the regular Kaiser
hnoeuvers in May, some twenty
ars ago. The emperor made a bet
1t he would capture the count. He
BIS the commander -in-chief OF the
|ed's.n while Count Won Haeseler,
|mmandant of the fortress OF Metz.
hs the leader of the blues" de-
hiding the heights of the Fort Kali
rim against the kaiser's forces.
Suddenly ..Exzellenz Gottlieb" was
lard 70 mutter between his teeth:
What's the idea OF
lat sfooIhardy cavalry reconnais-
|nce?f The fellows seem to be after
er
The general staff officer to whom
70 count had spoken gailoped with
LIZ q column of cavalry after the
party. TIE horse OF
10 last man stumbled and threw his
her. The general staff officer had
talk. with him, then dashed back to
, commander,
Count Won Haeseler thus learned the
lject of the reconnaissance After
brief explanation his whole staff
do forward, forming a semi-ctrcle
|ound the count, directly toward Fort
eipxig Immediately In front Of thu
lvancing enemy. There Count Won
heseler unohservedly left the staff.
few minutes later there rolled out
the forts gate wagon in which
bre piled straw and old sacks. 1t
lssed closely by the kaiser and stop
IA m few STAINS behind him
Thought Him Captured.
Gentlemen" said the emperor at
40 1uncture, II believe we have now
Grounded Count Won Haeseler. I am
bxious TO capture his person. AIlons.
headl"
And the kaiser's suite galloped
way.
The count crawied from under the
cks, and climbed out Of the wagon,
the great amusement OF the troops
knping around II.
What are these troous doing9" he
Iked the general In command. by
der OF his majesty put out of ac-
PM" was the answer.
The count gave a hearty laugh.
Genera" said he. upon my re-
attack tire red army
om the rear. No contradiction
ease. l am responsible!"
Count Won Hheseler being OF su-
,rior rank. the officer of the "oppos-
e. army had only TO obey.
A few minutes later the Astonished
npsror heard the signal of retreat at
Q back. At the same moment the
Hue" army moved forward and the
nperor found himself In such n trap
at he had the bugie blow "Das
lnse haltl'
When the kaiser heard Of the old
merai's trick. 1t 10 said. he laughed
It'll tears rolled down his cheeks.