The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-21

politics very closely, especially after
the war broke out, was very natural.
The fact that there was a great Ger
man-American vote in this country
was not overlooked in Potsdam, and I
haven't the slightest doubt the kaiser
imagined that he could exert consider
able influence in our elections through
his emissaries in this country.
returned to Berlin late in October
OF that year. Within a day or two
after my arrival I received a telephone
message from the Reichskanzler Won
Bethmann-Hollweg to the effect that
the Kaiser had sent him word of nv
return and that he would like me to
can at his palace either that noon or
at four p. N.
was ushered into a very large room
In the corner of which was q business
ike looking fat-topped desk, but which
was otherwise deliberately furnished.
Inc reichskanzler, a tall, broad-shouI-
dered, handsome specimen of a man,
came over to me and, putting his arm
In mine, walked me to a seat beside
the desk. He asked me what 1 would
smoke, and upon my taking a cigar
cite, he did likewise.
The kaiser's been telling me. doc
tor" he said, ''of your recent visit to
America, and would like to ask you
few questions"
said that was always glad to talk
Of America. Indeed, 1 was particular
ly glad Of the opportunity to speak
%lc
that time.
Then followed a bewildering success
sion of questions, the purpose OF
which was not at all clear to me. We
had q peculiar conversation-haIf in
German, half in English. The reichs-
kanzler did not speak English partic-
ularly well.
How are things in America? % he
asked did you have any Opportu-
nifty to gauge the political situation?
Who do you think will be the next
president? Do you think that Ameri-
cans are opposed to peace because
that would end their chance to make
money out of the war? Are your
people so mercenary that they would
like TO see the war prolonged for the
sake Of the money they can make out
of it?" =
mo, your excellency,'' I replied,
you are quite wrong if you imagine
that my cOuntrymen would like to pro-
long the war for the sake of war
profits. That is very far from being
the case. On the contrary. the coun-
try at large is anxious for peace"
Don't forget your people are max
ing lot of money out of this war"
the reichskanzler persisted. They
are becoming very rich. They will
soon have all the gold in the world.
Putting an end to the war would to q
great extent end American Opportuni-
ties for making money on this enor-
nous scale"
THAT may be all true" I replied.
''but fortunately my countrymen think
more Of the blessings of peace and
liberty than they do of war and profits,
and the sooner peace can be brought
about on a basis which will have
some assurance of permanency the bet
| ter we will like it."
Wilson has the greatest opportu-
nifty ever presented to a man to make
| his name Immortality bringing about
peace in the world" he went on. 1--WE
] feel now that he is not our friend, but
friendly to the allies, but nevertheless
he may be able to see that If this war
is prolonged indefinitely it will mean
the destruction Of all the nations in
volved in 1t. Do you think there Is
any possibility of America entering
the warp
THAT, Of course, will depend, your
excellency," 1 answered. upon devel-
i opments. / don't believe my country
issanxious to fight, but I'm quite sure
that nothing IN the world will keep Us
out of 1t if our rights as a neutral
nation are not respected"
1--WE certainly don't like the way
Hughes has been talking on the
stump" declared the reichskanzler
did you hear any OF his speeches or
any Of Wilson's?"
said had had no opportunity to
hear any of the campaign speeches
but that I had followed them in the
newspapers.
"WeIl, did you gather from what
you read that the American people
want to see peace in Europe or do
they want the war to go on so they
can continue to make fortunes out
of it?'
Again I replied thai 1 was certain
our country would never be Influenced
by such sOrdid considerations as were
implied in the reichskanzler's question