Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-09-27


took to automobiles. They charged
him II, 900 marks, he told me for the
use Of a train on one Of his shooting
trips, and that apparently was more
than he could stand
autos are expensive" he declared,
''but they don't cost me that much ~
/ The kaiser speaks English with but
the slightest trace Of foreign accent.
His diction Is perfect. He speaks
French. too, very fuently, and, be-
Iieye, Italian He IS widely read ON
almost all subjects and knows the lit
erature Of England, France and Amer
lea as well as that Of Germany. Mark
Twain was one Of his favorite Amer
lean authors and LongfeIlow his choice
Of American poets.
He prides himself on his acquain-
lance with history and has little re-
spect for the political opinions Of 9th
ers whose knowledge Of history is less
complete.
Shortly after Carnegie had donated
five million marks to Germany TO fur
Their world-peace, I happened to be
talking to the kaiser Of American mil
IiOnaires and the steelmaster was
mentioned.
"Of course, Carnegie is a nice old
man and means we'll" remarked the
kaiser. condescendingly 'but he is to-
tally ignorant of world history. He's
just advanced US five million for
worId-peace. We accepted it naturally.
but, of course, we intend TO continue
our policy Of maintaining our army and
navy in full strength"
Indeed, there is hardly any subject
to which the kaiser has devoted any
considerable attention in which he
doesn't regard himself as the final au-
thority.
As an art collector and antiquarian
he claims first place and he is rather
inclined TO feel that second place
should be left vacant. He always re-
sented very much the acquisition by
American millionaires Of art treasures
and antiquities which their wealth en-
abled them to buy. but which their
limited acquaintance with history and
their lack Of culture and refinement
made them unable to appreciate-in
the kaiser's estimation
OF his own taste in art little need be
said. The monuments which he caused
to be erected to his ancestors and their
advisors and which adorn the Sieges
Alice, the street he had opened through !
the Tlergarten especially for them, are
at the same time a monument to the !
kaiser's ideas of art. They are the |
laughing-stock of the artistic world |
They have been so frequently defaced /
by vandals whose artistic taste they 4
offended that it was necessary TO sta
ton policemen in the Sieges Alice TO |
guard them Not long ago a burglary /
occurred in the vicinity. The burglars |
were observed while at work and a |
startled civilian rushed to the Sieges |
Alice to summon one of the officers
who were known TO be on guard there.
IF you hurry" exclaimed the civil
ian, excitedly. you can catch these
burglars red-handed."
I'm sorry" replied the policeman,
But cannot leave the statues"
Realism is the kaiser's idea Of what
is most desirable in dramatic art.
When he put on "Sardanapal," Greek
tragedy in pantomime, at the Berlin
opera house, he sent professors to
the British museum TO secure the most
detailed information available regard
ing the costumes of the period. Every
utensil, every article of wearing ap-
parel, every button. every weapon, in
fact, every property used in the play
were to be faithfully reproduced. par
-icular pains being taken TO produce a
most realistic effect in a funeral pyre
scene in which a king ended his life.
The kaiser sent me tickets to see it.
King Edward attended the perform
ance at the Berlin Royal opera and l
lsked the kaiser how the king of Eng
and enjoyed it.
MY gracious" the kaiser replied,
Unable TO reprsss his satisfaction at
he effect the pantomime had had on
lis royal uncle, why, the king was
rery much alarmed when the funeral
,yre scene came on. He thought the
Whole opera house was on firef"
Perhaps the kaiser's love for detnilS
night be attributed TO his keel nbSer-
-ation. Nothing, no matter how tris-
al, escaped his attention.
A couple of years before thu war
lad the empire furniture in my wait
ng room reuphOlStered. On the very
irst occasion of the kaiser'S calling at
ny Office after the change he noticed il.
"Ny. my. how beautiful the chairs
COX ~ he exclaimed Good enough for
Napoleon himself"
On another occasion, between two Of
he kaiser'S visits. l had had put up
4 the waiting room new portrait of i
Irs. Davis. The kaiser noticed it the
lcsnent he came into the room and !
iade some complimentary remark
bout it. O
The kaiser frequently accused the
merieans of being dollar-worShipers c
nd the English of being ruled by c
Iammon. but that he himself was not v