St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1918-10-05

III
ference apparent to me In our status
as look back on 1t was that such an
Interview was very unusual expert
ence for me, while it was not at all I'M
usual for the King, and forgot to be
conscious Of that at the time.
"Victor Emmanuel impressed me as
a sort of combination Of Colo [el House
and the late Frank r. Stockton. He 10
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 1t 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-Worl<ine Monarch.
That this unceremonious reception OF
a representative of the American De-
mocracy was no pose for theatrical ef-
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 a light luncheon put up for him.
gets into his automobile and spends
the day visiting some point on tho
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 tho
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.
I'm the course Of our conversation"
said Mr.. Holt, "he gave me a 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
~, for he was evidently much more
concerned for the safety Of the 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 glee q
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 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.
cestors and his Spartan upbringing.
He was tutored by 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.
"What did he have to say about the
political and military situation?' 1
asked.
"You must remember" Mr.. Holt re-
piled, that one cannot quote King
directly. While we discussed various
phases of the situation very freely, I
would not be at liberty to give a 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 wrnlA
generally counter by asking me WHAT
they told me in Rome about 1t.
An Admirer Of America.
"For instance, 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.
ayes replied.
1.-THE King said that was right-1taly
did want our aid. He said we could
help particularly by sending them steel
and coal.
HE expressed great deal Of inter-
est in American affairs and the Ameri-
can attitude toward the war and kept
me busy answering thoughtful ques-
lions about them. He expressed the
greatest feeling Of friendship towards
America and appreciation for what We
have already done in the war. He
thought our efforts already made were
marvellous"