The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-09-09
''THE KAISER AS KNEW
HIM FOR FOURTEEN YEARS"
Continued on Second Page)

be if war were declared, but he was
away. The court chamberlain had
been appointed but a short time before
and ! did not know him personally,
but his predecessor, Count August Won
Eulenburg, one of the wiSeSt and most
respected men in Germany, was one
of my oldest patients and / decided to
discuss the situation with him. I'm
fortunately, however, found him too
old and, although unusually well pre-
served, was in no condition on this
occasion to receive visitors.
Another influential patient of mine
whom sought out at this time was
ex-Ambassador Won Sturm. Although
he was now retired from official life,
he had formerly been a powerful fig
ure in German state circles and still
kept more or less in touch with the
new court chamberlain and others in
high Office. His nephew was under
secretary of foreign affairs.
/ found the ex-ambassador at his
private apartment in the AdlOn hotel.
what will happen to Americans"
asked. IF my country declares war
against Germany"
"That, doctor, will depend entirely
upon how America treats our sub
jects" he replied, somewhat more
coldly than had expected of him. eff
America interns Germans, of course,
we shall undoubtedly treat Americans
the same way, and you could hardly
expect any special consideration, al
though, if you will write letter to the
court chamberlain, who Is a personal
friend of mine, shall see that he gets
it"
But, excellency," replied, "there is
a treaty between Germany and Amer
lea, understand, which gives the sub
jects or citizens of one country who
happen to be, sojourning in the other
when war is declared nine months
within which to close up their affairs
and leave. Would not that protect
met"
"Of course, DOCTOR" he answered,
Germany win respect the treaty if
America does, and then there will be
no trouble. 1t seems to me you must
await developments and, in the mean
time you have no cause for worry
Suppose some of your subjects in
America should act up and start
blowing up bridges or munition fac
tories and should be lynched, which
they probably would be-" suggested,
"what would Germany's course be?"
what Germany would do then,
DOCTOR" he replied, slowly and
thoughtfully, as though such a contin-
| gency had never occurred to him be-
| fore-'really, doctor, don't know
what we would dor
This somewhat unsatisfactory inter.
| view with Won Sturm might have wor-
| ried me more, perhaps, had it not been
| for a visit received only a day or
/ of the kaiser's closest friends and adj
visors,l who called on me profession
| ally. For year and a half the kaiser
had had his great army headquarters
/ at the princes palace at Pless. in
southeastern Germany, and / knew
| that he enjoyed his monarch's conf
| dence.
| When / asked him regarding the
| possible internment OF Americans, he
assured me that. come what might,
! and my family had not the slightest
reason for alarm.
"No matter what may befall other
Americans, DOCTOR" he asserted, in
q confidential manner, "the kaiser has
gone on record to the effect that YOU
and your family are not to be mo-
lested."
Another incident which made me
feel that could proceed with my prep
arations for leaving Berlin without un
due haste was the receipt early in the
year Of most extraordinary post card
from the kaiser which, it occurred tt
me, was quite significant as to his in
tenhons regarding my welfare. On ons
side was his picture and on the other
written and signed in English In hi
i own handwriting, was the message:
"Dear Doctor Davis:
wishing you a very good year fol
1917. WILLIAM ]. r"
i This was the first message of Ia
kind that had ever received from thu
kaiser. Even in peace times, the pic
ture postals which he had sent to m,
from time to time and which wer'
autographed by him, were Away
signed In German. When, on Februar,
/, the Germans resumed their ruth
less submarine warfare move which
was Immediately followed by tn
breaking of of diplomatic relations
felt that the kaiser must have fore
seen this consequence and had sen
me the postal as an intimation tina
he wanted me to remain In Berli
nevertheless.
When the Germans sank the LUIS
tania, living and practicing in Gel
many lost many of their attraction
for me. made up my mind then tina
would rather return home and con
mence my professional career all owe
again, if necessary. than remain In
country which could sanction such
hideOus form of warfare-the wanto
destruction Of women and children. Z
that end. l went to New York in til