The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1918-08-21

UkEN SHOKIL4 v
SEEoH AUGUST. 1914. .xa,s :
the Orpheum. where = party meeting was
| to be held that evening.
| The square, animated in previous
tyears, was dark and empty now. Only
long lines of people were seen at the en-
trance of the Orpheum. There were no
private automobiles IN the city. Only oc-
casional cars and now and then carriage
lrawn by emaciated underfed horses We're
lSeen in the streets. Working people and
representatives of the Reichstag Were
among those who stood in line at the Or
Ipheum.
Entering by the side door, Francke
walked over 20 the head of the new
sanization, Won Launer. who was speak
ing to several of the more Influential
members of the Deputies of the left wing
N the Reichstag.
| Il am glad you are here" Won Launtr,
who had Just returned from a trip to tho
East greeted Franc!Se heartily. Then he
| introduced him to some of the men who
| stood near him.
| We are discussing the order of the
day" went on Won Launer. Everything
seems ready for tomorrow. At any rate,
can say with certainty that the military
forces prepared. Almost the entire
garrison of Berlin is with US. But how
are things here? How are your civil
| legions? I am told that the people also
are prepared. All instructions have been
given. What have You to repor:
| Francke?"
The factory districts are ready and
united" he replied. We have firearms
we have even machine guns. If We should
have to resort to extreme measures.
When shall we open the r1eeting: l am
surprised that the nall is not crowded"
| "Oh, times have changed. 1t is not so
| or npODle NOWADAYS
| lin. Let us wait awhile
Organization Fully Prepared.
But are you sure that the Kaiser will
| will be at his palace tomorrow here, in
| Berlin" asked Francke in a whisper. He
must have been notified by this time He
will, of course, know all about our meet
| ing tonight. What if he should take
| precautions?'
| THAT will make no difference. Then our
prepara tons for tomorrow will be in the
| form of dress rehearsal. Are we not
gathered this evening at the Orpheum?'
| You are jesting-at time like this?"
asked Francke.
! Il see no cause for worrying, my friend
The whole programme is ella borated with
Ialmost mathematical exactness Only sud
den death, or insanity or perhaps an earth
quake in Berlin may upset our plans.
am almost conviced that he will be at his
palace in Berlin tomorrow. At the usual
time, after the religious service, he will
come out and make one Of his usual
| speeches. Although his voice is poor after
| the operation, our War Lord believes that
the faithful Berliners will not miss single
word, and the court photographer will see
| to 1t that the orator and the people are
shown on the screen in every theatre in
| Germany.
| But how DO you know he Will be there, :,
| asked Francke. What can he say after
the scenes that took place in front OF his
palace several weeks ago? What can he
say after the terrible defeats of our armies
| at the western front? What can he say
now that Russia has repudiated the Brest
Litovsk treaty and is fighting the mill
taristic influences of Prussia in every
way?'
Crown Prince in Pet.
"Oh. he will speak about the great event
about the last war loan. He will boast
of new victories of our armies, he Will
speak CT himself and Gott, in the hope
that the people will believe him again
that the Germans and the Austrians will
remain loyal and continue to battle for
the Kaiser. You ask me how l know ali
these things, how 1 know in advance what
he is going to say on this occasion. /
have earned all this from his son. from
the Crown Prince"
From the Crown Prince?' Francke |
asked in amazement.
You do not seem to know the traits of
the Hohenzolers-the constant conflicts
between the ruling father and the i'm |
patient Crown Prince. This family trait
of the HoaenzollerS is particularly strong |
at this moment. Some clever people have
been able to convince the neurasthenic |
Crown Prince that he alone could save the |
crown and the dynasty by gratifying the
" Ill of the German people, by giving Ger
many peace soon possible. The sickly |
old man, Kaiser Wilhelm, could be deposed |
easily. according to the opinion Of the |
Crown Prince. And he is working in that |
blind donkey CARRYING a |
heavy load to the mill-he is working |
without realizing that he is being utilized |
for the common veal of the people
IF the worst enemies of the people are |
digging a grave for themselves, in the |
hope that they are doing it to bury othert
enemies of the people, 1 bless those clever
people who have succeeded in influencing |
the half-witted Crown Prince. But he-the
Kaiser? Do you think he does not take
any precautions? He must have heard
about the national unrest and dissatisfac-
ton. abou: the spirit in the army? What
is he doing?" asked Francke
He is laughing! He is laughing. with
his pale, bloodless lips. He still believes
that the armies will remain loyal to him
to the very end, that all the talk about
a military uprising was started by the
extreme left denlagosues' desiring to ter
rorize the government in order to gain I.
few small reforms for the masses. Youi