The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-09-20


as look back on it was that such an
interview was a very unusual expert
ence for me, while it was not at all I'M
usual for the King, and l forgot to be
conscious of that at the time.
"Victor Emmanuel impressed me as
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 its
| location in convenient reach of every
part of the battle-line Each morning
he rises early, eats simple breakfast,
has 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.
| At night he studies the plans of battle
| for the following day and never retires
without sending 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-
| keel Mountains when the temperature
was below zero in order that he might
| congratulate the Alpine troops who
had just captured several Austrian po-
| SitiOnS
Experiences Under Fire.
SIN the course of our conversation y
said Mr.. Holt, che gave me a graphic
| description of his experience in one
town near the frontier. The Austrians
discovered his presence in the town
| and began bombardj3g it. The King
| Immediately Withdrew from the town
in order that, as he tCld me, he might
not unnecessarily mperil 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 tho people
than he was over the peril Of 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 gee a
German cross from 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
~ amused at one which had the design
of a 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
| (CSlOIo anu LlO Cldll Itlb
| He was tutored by a stern, old army
! colonel, who, at the direction of the
boys royal father, treated him in ev-
cry way like the son of private citi-
zen. He has ever since preferred
simple, rigorous living. Hunting and
mountain climbing are among his ia
vorite pastimes. .#*
| TJ1nf n ri Il,Nh how To SOW oh 20
political and military situation?"
asked.
"You must remember" Mr.. Holt re-
] piled, "that one cannot quote King
! directly. While we discussed various
| phases of the situation very freely,
would not be at liberty to give YER
batim report of his opinions. In fact,
he was careful in talking with me not
to express himself positively on mat
tiers of state policy. When I en-
croached on such ground, he would
| generally counter by asking me what
they told me in Rome. about it.
An Admirer of America.
For instance, I asked him If 1t was
! true that Italy desired America to
send military aid to her. He asked II
they told me that in Rome
| EYES, replied.
''The King said that was right-Italy
did want our aid. He said we could
help particularly by sending them stee
and coal
/ HE expressed great deal Of in
est in American affairs and the Am
can attitude toward the war and <
me busy answering thoughtful GU
tons about them. He expressed
greatest feeling Of friendship iowa
America and appreciation for what
| have already done in the war.
thought our efforts already made W
| marvellous