The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1918-10-23
The Kaiser asI Knew I linn
for Fourteen Years
By ARTHUR N. DAVIS. D. D. S.
Copyright 1914 by the Newspaper syndicats)

She arrived in her own car. Its ap-
proach was heralded by the imperial
"Tadi-Tada" without the concluding
"Ta-Ta," which latter was reserved
exclusively for the kaiser, and not
even the kaiserln was allowed TO use 1t.
The kaiser's ''Tadi-Tada-Ta- was
| the subject of much sarcasm among
the proletariat, who satirically put 1t
to the words: "Celerie-Sa lat- TIA Ta,"
| an allusion to the luxuries of the royal
table which contrasted most unfavOr-
ably with the simple meals TO which
they were accustomed; while the So
clalists showed their sentiments very
plainly by improvising the words:
"Von Unsern Geld-Ta-Ta," meaning,
From our money-ta-ta," referring to
the royal immunity from taxation
which was one of their bitterest pills.
1t was not long after I had known
the kaiserin before she made clear to
me that she possessed a most dicta-
torial manner. which was quite in con-
trast with that of the kaiser. at least
when he was In my Office.
She objected strenuously TO remov-
ing her hat-and she usually wore a
large one with a veil-but finally yield
ed when / explained that l could not
accomplish my work satisfactorily un-
less she did. When | placed cotton
rolls In her mouth. she insisted that as
she did not like the sensation of the
cotton against her lips or tongue,
would have to encase the cotton in
rubber.
told her politely but firmly that my
work would be done in my own way,
and she finally acquiesced. adding:
swell, II you make such point OF II.
doctor, suppose shall have to let
you have your way"
From that time on the kaiserin came
to me more or less regularly. Her
lackey usually followed her into the
house carrying an artistic lunch box or
bag containing sandwiches and boull-
Ion, Of which the empress nartook In
my Office. The Princess Victoria
Louise. the kaiser's only daughter. l
may mention. usually came similarly
provided. No German ever lets any
thing interfere with his Lecond break
fast.
The empress never spoke on politi-
cal subjects. She was not particularly
brilliant and evidenced some reluc-
lance TO air her views on international
affairs. as though she were not quite
sure Of herself. Certainly. she was not
nearly as laxative as the kaiser.
When she did unburden herself. II was
usually in connection with domestic
subjects. II was said in Germany that
her only interest in life was represent
ed by the three ks" Kinder. Kirche
and Kuche-children, church and
kitchen-and there is no question about
1T that she seldom spoke on other sub
Jects when talking with me.
The kaiserln came to me after the
war with America started. but appar-
emily she had felt some hesitation
about doing so. because the kaiser told
me shortly before her visit that she
intended coming. but pointed out that
she had decided to do so only upon his
recommendation.
In June. 1917. 1 received a letter
from the kaiserin's physician inclos-
Ing one which he said had been writ
ten by the kaiserin, but which was
both unsigned and unaddressed. 1t
requested me to visit the royal palace
at Homburg V. d. Hohe. which, In con-
junction with the adjoining town of
Kreuznach, was then the location Of
the great army headquarters.
During the time was there / could
not help observing how extremely tim
i'd the servants seemed to be of the
kaiserin. One expected to find the
utmost servillty among the kaiser's
underlings, but ! confess II came rath-
er as a shock to me to see the maids
walking so timidly and talking so fear
fully when In the presence OF their
white-haired royal mistress. noted
particularly how very gently they
knocked at the door before entering
and how after knocking, they immedi-
ately placed their heads against the
panel that they might catch the
kaiserin's low command to enter the
first time, and so make II unneces-
sary for her to repeat 1t. Their de-
meanor was particularly noticeable be-
cause the kaiserin never seemed to
display the slightest Impotence or Ill
temper when dealing with her serv-
ants. Indeed, she seemed to me to act
no differently from the humblest haus-
frau in the country.
Before left Homburg. she asked me