The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-09

speedy victory.
1t was pretty we'll known that just
before the time the visit was paid the
! Sultan was greatly depressed, and
not at all pleased with the war pros
poets, The German retreat on the
! Somme during 1916, and the food po-
sition in the country to say nothing
! of the threatened increase in the
| number of Germanys enemies, did
not provide the ruler of the Ottoman
! Empire with feelings of confidence.
The Kaiser, with his characteristic
cunning, sent a special emissary to
Constantinople, inviting Mohammed
". to participate in War Council
at Berlin, and it was after the conclu-
sion of this conference that the jour-
rey to Essen was arranged.
An "InformaP' Visit
OF course, the whole thing was
plot to keep the Sultan in the war,
but he was not to know that. The
trip, SO far as the Sultan was to know
was one taken without any pre-ar-
ranged plan, a sudden and purely in
formal visit to enable the Sultan to
see how thorough Germany was, and
witness for himself the wonders
which Germany was preparing with
which to will her enemies.
The distinguished visitors arrived
by train, and drove to the works
from the station in closed motor cars,
attended by a calvalcade of Uhlans
mounted on the most magnificent
chargers.
Apart from the presence of the Uh-
lans, all ceremony was departed from,
and the Kaiser, with the Sultan, &C
companied by Won Bohlen and Ber-
tina, with a few of the heads of the
works, strolled around the factories
spending several hours watching the
operations.
For some reason or another, since
my promotion 1 had been in constant
touch with Won Bohlen, having been
given several small jobs to attend to
on his instructions, and to my sur
prise, on the day that the All High
est visited the works, 1 received the
instructions direct from Won Bohlen
that 1 was to fall in at rear of the
party, and be prepared, if ordered
to carry out certain missions, such as
the demonstration of some of the
more delicate machinery viii which
1 was we'll acquainted.
I had seen the Kaiser some little
time before the outbreak of war, ant
was now astonished at the grea
change which three years hat
wrought in him. No longer was hi
the tall, upright man with black hail
and steady eye. The Kaiser whom
I saw at Essen was a grey-headed
elderly, shrunken man, and almos
wizened. He had lost flesh and hi
cheek bones were very prominent.
The Imperial Hawk
There was an uncanny brightness
about his eyes, which flashed lik
beads of steel from beneath a scowl
ing, overcast brow. His expression
seemed to me more like the expires
sion of a hawk. He was restless, sci
dom still, and nothing interested hin
for very long. While describing on
object he glanced furtively aroun
for some other wonder. His voice
however, was still firm, though h
frequently coughed, and after an at
tack of coughing he appeared to b
exhausted. Notwithstanding his los
of physical strength, his piercing eye
and frequent touches of animatio
made it clear that the old Prussia
spirit was still dominant.
Out of compliment to his visitor
the All Highest was wearing the uni
form of a Turkish Field Marshal, an
occasionally he smoked a rich blend
ed Turkish cigarette.
The Sultan formed a striking cor
trast to the Kaiser. Although a niue
older man. he was better preserved
He was plump, almost inclined t
obesity, and showed distinct indics
tiGns of the indolent life of the Nee
Fast.
Whatever depressions he may hay
had seemed to have completely val
ished at all events for a time. Ev
Gently he was amazed at his fir
view under war conditions of Esse
He was bedecked in the uniform
some German regiment. 1t was {
iH-fitting dress, and His Majesty w
obviously uncomfortable in mis- ge
up.
The two monarchs were welcome
by Won Bohlen and Bertha, and Il
Kaiser greeted the lady almost affe
tionately. Then, taking her arm,
presented her to the Sultan saying
This is the little lady on whom &c
many depends, and who is providil
Us with the means of crushing o
enemies"
Frau Krupp Won Bohlen flush
slightly and bowed, while the Suit
grinned apishly.
Together the two kings stood tai
ing with the Lady of Essen for sor
little time, but l was not able to he
the conversation. 1 heard the Kais
laugh harshly, and in doing SO
turned slightly, catching sight of V
lsBohlen, who up to this time had I