The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-15

Dead or alive, I can never forget the coarse dominating personality of Hindenburg.
 No one who ever came in contact with it's gorilla-like aspect could. To meet von Hindenburg once was an experience to be remembered no less vividly than an encounter with the semi-human brute of the African jun gle. I met him, not once, but often. I was his guest on several occasions. Twelve years ago when my path first crossed that of von Hindenburg, ho was not the great God of the Ger man people that the war has made of him. Nevertheless, his personality had been felt and his value as a fu- ture to the Fatherland quite accur- 4tely gauged. Prince von Bulow recognized his ability and I remember his very words when Hindenburg s name came up in his duscission of the various generals whom I would be obliged to meet in the course of my military duties.
 If You Can Stand Him.
 You can learn much from linden berg If you can endure him." said the Prince. Personally, I detest him. He violates every rule of good taste. But he Is a master of his profession and in the event of big European war. I am convinced that only man of his type could carry such war through to a successful conclusion"
 Shortly after my arrival in Germany l met the general at dinner party at the Foreign Office in Berlin. Coin- cidentally, I was introduced across the tabeI by Prince von Bulow, who was sitting next to von Hindenberg. The generals mouth was full, as it usually is when he is sitting with anything to eat before him.
 Ills acknowledgement of the intro- duction was anything butp olite. First he grinned, and wheh ne had swallow ed what was in his mouth, was about to say something to me. Then, he apparently changed his mind, grinned at me once more and went on with the business of eating. Being an en- tire stranger, I was at a complete loss as to the significance of his attitude. Being attached to the diplomatic corps I could not afford to be rude in return, tempting as that was.
 His Contempt for Diplomats.
 After dinner I strolled into the ante-room of the Foreign Office, where brandy whisky, aerated waters, and cigars were provided for the guests. There I encountered won EIindenberg, seated at a small table by himself enjoying a whiskey and soda and cigar. I motioned to the empty seat opposite h.m. He nodded and sat down.
 What was it you were going to say at dinner, General?" I asked. "It must have been something amusing. ] felt sure by the look in your eyes that I would have liked to have heard it." ...
 The general lay back in his chair and grinned again.
 In after years, I was to note that von Hindenberg never laughs wher amused. He always grins, no matter how amused he may be. It is an un' usual grin; uncanny, I might say. YoJ i, sense the evil depths of the man. No %that he Is immoral for he is not. I gives you the impression that he i gloating over the possession of som' unholy power. One can imagine h. wore 1t when he looked at some O his troopers practicing "cutting thu 7 lemon" in the Mazurian Lakes-witl the head of a Russian substituted fo the lemon.
 Won Hindenberg yawned and I vel comed the interruption of the grin.
 Well, the fact is" he said, finally T was going to tell you that when ever I am introduced to a diplomats always feel that I have adde, another liar to my acquaintance"
 The average man would hay chuckled over the sally The genera leaned back again in his chair an grinned. more broadly than ever.
 "T Am the Biggest Liar"
 felt rather annoyed, but replie with a laugh, you know, genera that if we diplomatists always tol the truth. you generuis would be keT pretty busy. Diplomatic lies go a lon way in helping to keep the world 2 | peace"
 He apparently was pleased at m renly for he slapped his knee heaN fly with his huge ham of a hand an vowed that was quite right.
 "Yes," he declared, after a paus you fellows keep us fighters idl That's why I don't ike you"
 "Who is the biggest liar of whol you know" I asked him, laughingl
 T am." Won Vindenberg fairl roared his reply. I looked incredt lous. He repeated. pounding h decorated chest. q am! I am!
 ''The author of lie is a liar eve if he does not utter the lie. Is not th; good theology?" he demanded wit only the grin to denote that he WE in a tocu1ar vein.
 'Well. then, l have the honor being the author of the biggest lie history" He was speaking now wit a serious mien. Tt is a lie that W aid the Fatherland to confound u enemy some day. Our diplomats will utter it for me. I hope I li' -- else my charming friend, the Raise will appropriate the idea as his own
 "Is it permissible to ask what
 the nature of the lie?".I asked.
 'It is not" Von Hindenberg glar, indignantly at me.
 So I turned the conversation in