The Glenwood post., 1917-09-01

l0ne, VINO, in that green-upholstered
private room wherein I worked with
him, often smiled at the unseemly bus
tie while he calmly Disseminated
among men and women according to
their merits.
1t is in that calm discretion that the
emperor excels, possessing almost un-
canny foresight.
81 know! Frau Kleist has told me 7"
were the words his majesty used on
many occasions when l had ventured
perhaps to express doubt regarding
some scandalous story or serious allie
cation. Therefore was confident that
the seventy-year-old dancing mistress
whose past was complete mystery
was an important secret agent Of the
emperor's.
And what more likely? The kaiser
as ruler Of that complex empire, would
naturally seek to know the truth con-
cerning those who sought his favor be-
fore they were permitted to click their
heels or wag their fans and bow the
knee In his imperial presence And he
had, no doubt, with that innate cum
ming, appointed his creature to the po-
sition of court dancing mistress.
Emperors First View of an AirpIane.
On October II, 1908, l had returned
with the emperor and his suite from
Hamburg, where his majesty had been
present at the launching of one of Herr
Ballin's monster American liners. I
GnotnI ot tho SiHa fphla in to
private room In the Berlin Schloss,
taking down certain confidential in
structions which he wished to be sent
ut once by one of the imperial couriers
to the commandnnt of Posen.
Suddenly Won Kahlberg, my col
league, entered with message and
handed it to his majesty. The kaiser
at once grew excited and, turning to
me said:
"The crown prince sends word from
Potsdam that the American, Orville
Wright, is flying on the Bornstedter
field. We must go at once. Order the
cars. And, Won Krahlberg, inform her
majesty at once. She will accompany
US, no doubt"
Quickly I placed before his majesty
one Of his tographs-knowing that
1t would be wanted for presentation to
the daring Amertcan-and he took up
his pen and scrawled his signature
across 1t.
Within a quarter Of an hour three
Of the powerful cars were on their way
to Potsdam. the emperor with Herr
Anton Reitschel--a high German. off,
cial at Constantinople-and Professor
Vambery in the first car; the kaiserin
with her daughter, Victoria Luise, and
the latter's ober-gouvernante govern
ess), with one of the court ladies, in
the next while in the third rode with
Major Won Scholl, one of the equer-
ries.
On arrival at the Bornstedter field 1t
was already growing dusk, and a great
disappointment awaited us. The crown
prince rode up to inform us gravely
that the flying was over for the day.
At this the kaiser grew angry, for he
had been out once before upon wild
goose chase, only to find that Orville
Wright had gone home, declaring the
wind too strong.
At his fathers anger, however, "Wil-
lie" burst out laughing, declaring that
he was only Joking, and that all was
in readiness. Indeed, as he spoke, the
aviator came up and presented him
to his majesty.
Then, while he stood alone in the
center of the great, sandy plain, Mr.. Or
vile Wright clambered into his ma
high above us.
The emperor stood with Herr Reit-
schel and the shaggy old professor,
straIning his eyes with keenest inter-
! est. It was the first time his majesty
had seen an airplane In flight. Much
had been promised Of Won Zeppelin's
invention, yet the German public had,
until those demonstrations by the
American aviator, taken but little heed
Of the heavier-than-air machine. At
that time, indeed, the emperor had not
taken up Won Zeppelin, and 1t was only
after seeing Orville Wright's demon
strations that he entered with any en-
thusiasm into aeronautical problems.
High above us against the clear eve-
ming sky, wherein the stars had already
begun to twinkle. the daring American
rose, dipped and banked his machine
droning like a huge gadfly, much to the
interest and astonishment Of the en-
peror.
Marvellous he exclaimed, as I
stood beside him, with the empress on
his right. "How is 1t donef" ..., -.r
The sight of a man flying In the air,
maneuvering his machine at will, rising
swiftly, and then planning down with
the engine cut off, was one Of the most
amazing spectacles the loyal Potsdam-
ers had ever seen. Even the emperor,
with nll his dreams Of world power,
could never for moment have fore
seen what n great factor airplanes