Emmons County record., 1918-09-19
CHAPTER u.
The Kaiser at Potsdam.

nc Nat6er AT Pot8oan1.
Getting out of Germany proved to be
a far more difficult proposition than I
had imagined.
Renlizing that it would probably be
several months before could finally
settle up my affairs, and that my child,
who was anemic, ought to be taken
out Of Germany with as little delay as
possible because food conditions were
fast going from bad to worse, l ap-
piled to the kOmnandnntur for leave to
have my wife and child 90 TO Mon.
treux, on Lake Geneva. Switzerland,
where / hoped to join them mt the
earliest possible moment and accom-
pany them home. l did not relish the
idea of their going across the ocean
without me.
That was in May, 1917. Weeks
passed while our application was going
from one official to another, lying. per-
haps for days at time under pile Of
other applications of II similar char
acter or awaiting the investigation Of
our personal histories, and It was not
until the end of June that we received
any word regarding it. Then we
learned that it had been denied.
This was my first intimation that we
might have difficulty in getting out Of
Germany.
day or two later the kniser called
on me professionally and told him of
our plight, hoping that he would inter-
cede for us. Ii was the only favor of q
personal character had ever asked of
him.
My child is ailing. your majesty"
said. "and ! feel that she needs n
change of climate. l applied to the
kommandantur for leave for my wife
and child to 20 To Montrcu.i. but have
just heard that 1t has been refrscd."
Davis, ! will see what l can do in
the matter" he replied rcassuringly,
and us he was leaving my office he
turned to me and said in the presence
of his two adjutants: Regarding that
matter you spoke of, leave it to me
and will see what l can dol"
The kaiser's influence would readily
solve our problem, thought, and
was very much relieved. Two days
later. however, l received letter
from Count Won Moltke, one of the kai-
ser's adjutants, stating that the kali
ser had spoken to him regarding the
Switzerland project, but, under the
circumstances, 1t was out Of the ques-
tion. If. however, my chIlds condition
were such as to make change of cli-
mate really necessary, he added. the
kaiser suggested that trip to the
Austrian Tyrol might perhaps be ar
ranged, rs the climate there was Just
as good as that Of Switzerland, but be-
fore permission would be granted for
that trip 1t would be necessary to ob-
tain certificate from the district doc
tor stating that 1t was necessary.
As the food situation in Austria was
Just as had as 1t was In Germany. IL
not worse. that idea didn't appeal to
ME at all. and went Immediately to
the kommandantur and explained the
situation to them.
When they saw Count Won Moltke's
letter the officer In charge threw up
his hands.
That's finnl." he declared. "That
comes from higher authority than
ours. II is useless to pursue the mat
ter any further. We received COM
municaton from his majesty regard
Ing your case. but the matter was left
entirely to our discretion. II was not
command. only request from his
majesty. A command, of course. would
have been different"
Then ] applied for Q pass for my
wife, child and myself TO go to Amer.
~