Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-09-20

discuss the situation with him. I'm
fortunately, however, found him too
ill to receive me. He was eighty years
old and, although unusually well pre-
served, was In no condition on this
occasion to receive visitors.
Another influential patient Of mine
whom 1 sought out at this time was
ex-Ambassador Won Sturm. Although
he was Row retired from official life,
he had formerly been a powerful fig
ure in German state circles and still
kept more or less in touch with the
new court chamberlain and others in
high Office. His nephew was under
secretary of foreign affairs.
I found the ex-ambassador at his
private apartment In the Adlon hotel.
what will happen to Americans"
I asked, eff my country declares war
against Germany"
"That, doctor, will depend entirely
upon how America treats our sub
jects," he replied, somewhat more
coldly than had expected of him. IF
America interns Germans, of course,
we shall undoubtedly treat Americans
the same way, and you could hardly
expect any special consideration, al
though, if you will write letter to the
court chamberlain, who is a personal
friend of mine, shall see that he gets
it."
But, excellency," replied, "there is
a treaty between Germany and Amer
lea, l understand, which gives the sub
jects or citizens of one country who
happen to be sojourning in the other
when war is declared nine months
within which to close up their affairs
and leave. Would not that protect
me?"
"Of course, DOCTOR" he answered,
Germany will respect the treaty if
America does, and then there will be
no trouble. 1t seems to me you must
await developments and, in the mean
time you have no cause for worry"
Suppose some of your subjects in
America should act up and start
blowing up bridges or munition fac
tories and should be lynched, which
they probably would be-" 1 suggested,
what would Germany's course be?"
"What Germany would do then,
DOCTOR" he replied, slowly and
as though such contin-
gency had never occurred to him be-
fore-"really, doctor, 1 don't know
what we would do"
This somewhat unsatisfactory inter-
view with Won Sturm might have wor-
ried me more, perhaps, had it not been
for a visit 1 received only a day or
two later from Prince Won Pless. one |
Of the kaiser's closest friends and ad /
Fisors, who called on me profession
lilly. For year and q half the kaiser
had had his great army headquarters
at the princes palace at Pless, in
Germany, and I knew
hat he enjoyed his monarchs conf
lence.
When I asked him regarding the
possible internment Of Americans, he
assured me that, come what might, 1
md my family had not the slightest
eason for alarm
mo matter what may befal other
Americans, DOCTOR" he asserted, in
confidential manner, ''the kaiser has
.one on record to the effect that you
nd your family are not to be mo-
ested."
Another incident which made me
eel that could proceed with my prep
rations for leaving Berlin without I'M
ue haste was the receipt early in the
ear Of most extraordinary post card
rom the kaiser which, it occurred to
lie, was quite significant as to his in
sntions regarding my welfare. On one
Ide was his picture and on the other,
-ritten and signed in English in his
wn handwriting, was the MESSAGE:
Dear Doctor Davis:
wishing you very good year for
III. WILLIAM l. R."
This was the first message of its .
md that had ever received from the
aiser. Even in peace times, the pic
ire postals which he had sent to me
ON time to time and which were g
by him, were always ;
gned in German. When, on February y
the Germans resumed their ruth U
SIS submarine warfare-a move which h
as Immediately followed by the o
eaking off of diplomatic relations-I f
1t that the kaiser must have fore 6
en- this consequence and had sent A
E the posta. as an intimation that +,
wanted me to remain in Berlin
vertheless. o.
When the Germans sank the Lusi- ci
MIA, living and practicing in Ger S.
my lost many of their attractions h.
: me. / made up my mind then that ii
would rather return home and COM IL
nee my professional career all over
hin, If necessary, than remain in a
intry which could sanction such a