The Washington times., 1917-04-15
Secrets of HOhenzOLlerns
Revealed by an Attache
First of Series Tells How Kaiser and Crown
Prince Caused Undoing of the Wife OF
One of Germany's Nobility.

the Kaiser and his son--the idol Of
Germany, the Kronprinz willie"
A Strange. InexpIIeabIe Affair.
In the early days of 1912 1 found
myself, as the personal-sdjutant of
His Imperial Highness the Crown
Prince. involved in a very strange,
even inexplicable, affair.
The drama opened in the Emperor's
palace in Berlin on New Year night,
1912, when, as usual, grand court
reception was held.
The scene was one which we VINO
revolve around the throne know so
well. Court gowns, noddinS plumes,
gay uniforms, and glittering 1ecora-
tions-a vicious, tinseled, gossiploV-
ing little world which with devilish
intent sow seeds of dark suspicion or
struggles for the Kaiser's favor.
In the famous white salon, with Its
ceiling gaudily emblazoned with the
arms of the Hohenzollerns as bur-
graves, electors, kings, emperors, ana
what-not, its walls of colored marble
and gilded bronze, and its fine statues
of the Prussisn rulers, we had all as
sembled and were waiting the en-
trance Of the Emperor.
hlQeTlGn-N deCnIeT-Lne foreign sec
retaryAwG standing near me, chat
ting with Won Jagow, slim, dark
haired, and spruce. The latter, who
was serving as German ambassador
in Rome, happened to be in Berlin on
leave, and the pair were laughing
merriiy with a handsome black-haired
woman whom I recognized as the
Baroness Bertieri, wife of the italian
ambassadors
Philip Eu1enburg. one OF the En-
peror's personal friends (by the way,
author. with Won Moltke, of the
Kaiser's much-advertised "Song to
.Egir'-a fact not generally known). /.
approached me and began to chat, re-
calling a side-splitting incident that
had occurred a few days before at
Kiel, whittier 1 had been with the
Crown Rrince to open a new. bridge.
Oh, those internal statues and
bridges!
OF sudden the tap of the chamber
lain's stick was heard thrice, the gold
snd-white doors instantly fell open,
and the Emperor, his decorations
cleaning beneath the myriad lights,
smiIingly entered with his waddling
consort, the crown prince, and their
brilliant suite.
The Cause of the Kaiser's Annoyance.
All OF us bowed low in homage, but
as we did so saw the shrewd eyes y
the AlI-Highest One, which nothing es-
, capes, fixed upon a woman who stood
close to my, elbow. As he fixed his
fierce gaze upon her saw, knowing
that glance as did. that it spoke vol
Umes. Hitherto / had not noticed the
lad g. ~ ~ -
those unimportant persons who are
Commanded to a grand court, wives
and daughters OF military nobodies, Of
whom we, at the palace never took the
trouble to inquire 80 long as their gilt
commandments, issued by the grand
chamberlain, were in proper order.
That slight contraction of the EN-
peror's eyebrows caused me to ponder
deeply, for, knowing him so intimate
ly, l saw that he was intensely an
noyed.
For what reason? was much mys-
titled.
Naturally / turned to glance at the
woman whose presence had so irrita-
ted him. She was fair-haired. blue
eyed, petite and pretty. Her age was
. about twenty-five. and she was ex-
tremeIy goodIooking. Beside her
stood a big, fair-haired giant in the
uniform of a captain of the First
Regiment of the Hussars Of the
Guard. of which the crown prince was
colonel-in-chief
Within a quarter of an hour dis
covered that the officer was Count
GeOrg Won Leutenberg, and that. his
pretty wife, whom he had married two
years before. was the eldest daughter
of an English financier who had been
prif q ms
ruIe-of-thumb politicians.
An Interview With the Crown Prince.
Next day, just before noon, on en-
terfng the Crown Princes private
cabinet. / found willie" in the uni
form of the Second -Grenadiers, ap-
parentIy awaiting me in that cozy
apartment. which is crammed with
efhgies. statuettes, and relics OF the
great Napoleon, whom he worships
Just as the War Lord reveres his fam
Gus ancestor, Frederick the Great.
"Sit down, HeltZendorff," said his
Elegant Highness. waving his white,
weIl-manicured hand to a chair near
by, and putting at his cigarette. ut
is really pleasant to have an hours
rest" he laughed, fer he seemed in
merry mood that day. Look here!
Do you happen to know Count Georg
Won Leutenberg, OF the Hussars of the
Guard?"
by sight only" was my reply.
He is a very good fellow, under
stand. Do you know hiss wife-a
pretty little Englishwoman?"
unfortunately, I have not that
pleasure"
Neither have I, Helzendorf. But
soon shall know her, | expect In that
direction ! want your assistance"
- am yours for your Highness to |
command" replied, PUZZLED to know |
what was in progress. Aft a few |
seconds of silence the Crown Prince /
suddenly exclaimed:
$50 good IS the report Of Won Lieut. I
enberg that has reached the Emperor /
that-though he is as yet in ignor-
Gnce of the fact-he has been pro- /
NOTED to the rank of major, and ord
cred upon a foreign mission-as mill
tary attache in London. He will leave /
Berlin tonight TO take up his new
post"
And the countess?"
BY a secret report l happen to have
here it is shown that they are a
most devoted pair" he said, glancing
at sheet of buff paper upon which
was typed a report-one which
as emanating from the Sc
rret bureau at the Polizei-Prasidium.
in Alexander Platz. They live in the
the Tier.