The record., 1918-10-03

ference apparent to me in our status
as 1 look back ON it was that such an
interview was a very unusual expert
ence for me, while it was not at all un-
usual for the King, and l forgot to be
conscious of that at the time.
Victor Emmanuel impressed me as
Il sort of combination of Colonel House
and the late Frank r. Stockton. He is
a man of simple and charming manner
without pose, who has thrown himself
heart and soul into the cause of his
country and is working for it night
and day, as hard as any other person
in Italy. But he prefers to stay be-
hind the scenes While doing it."
A Hard-Working Monarch.
That this unceremOnious reception of
a representative of the American De-
mocracy was no pose for theatrical eff
feet is clearly evident from Mr.. Hollis
report of what he observed and learn
ed of the Kings daily routine. The
Monarch has selected this little villa
for his headquarters on account Of it's
location in convenient reach of every
part of the battle-line. Each morning
he rises early, eats a simple breakfast,
has a light luncheon put up for him,
gets into his automobile and spends
the day visiting some point on the
line, comforting with the officers and
talking with the soldiers, learning
their needs first hand and inspiring
them by his presence and his counsel.
sAtvnislee ,fsssassaezf sssste
for the following day and never retires
without sending a letter to his family,
to whom he is passionately devoted.
He has made observations of the
battlefield from dirigibles and aero
planes. At one time in 1915 he climb
ed to the snow-cOvered crest of Rauch-
koel Mountains when the temperature
was below zero in order that he might
congratulate the AlpiRe troops who
had just captured several Austrian po-
SitiOns.
Experiences Under Fire.
''In the course of our conversation"
said Mr.. Holt 'he gave me Il graphic
description of his experience in one
town near the frontier. The Austrians
discovered his presence in the town
and began bombarding it. The King
Immediately withdrew from the town
in order that, as he told me, he might
not unnecessarily imperil the resi-
dents. What he did not tell me was
| that he departed from the town OPEN
ly, for he was evidently much more
concerned for the safety of the people
than he was over the peril to his own
life.
He is very much interested in the
mechanics of warfare He described
graphically the, barrage drill of the
Italian troops as he had witnessed it.
He showed me with great glee a
German cross from a captured air
, plane he had framed and hung on the
wall of his room. He described the
different designs he had seen painted
on German planes and was particular
ly amused at one which had the design
of Il Teddy Bear
His Democratic Traditions.
The Kings ability to play his pres.
ent role is the result both of his demo-
cratic inheritance from his Savoy an
| cestors and his Spartan upbringing
He was tutOred by q stern, old army
colonel who, at the direction of the
| boys royal father, treated him in ev-
| cry way like the son of a private citi-
! zen. He has ever since preferred
simple, rigorous living. Hunting and
| mOuntain climbing are among his ia
vOrite pastimes.
What did he have to say about the
/ political and military situation?" 1
/ asked
You must remember" Mr.. Holt res
Piled that one cannot quote a King
directly. While we discussed various
| phases of the situation very freely, /
would not be at liberty to give ver-
Gatim report of his opinions. In fact,
| he was careful in talking with me not
to express himself positively on mat
tcrs of state policy. When I en-
croached on such ground, he would
generally counter by asking me what
they told me in Rome about 1t.
An Admirer of America.
For instance, 1 asked him if it was
true that Italy desired America to
send military aid to her. He asked if
they told me that in Rome.
"'Yes,' replied.
"The King said that was right-Italy
did want our aid He said we could
help particularly by sending them steel
and coal.
HE expressed great deal Of INFER
est In American affairs and the Ameri-
can attitude toward the war and kept
me busy answering thoughtful ques-
tions aaopts them.. He, expressed the
greatest feeling OF Friendship towards
America and appreciation for what we
have already done in the war. He