Smyrna times., 1918-09-25

ference apparent to me in our status I
as | look back on it was that such an |
interview was a 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 Colonel House
and the late Frank Il. Stockton. He is
a man Of simple and charming manner.
without pose, who IS thrown himself
heart and soul into the cause of his
country and is working for it 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-Working Monarch.
That this unceremoniOus reception of
. representative of the American De
mOcracy was no pose for theatrical eff
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 a simple breakfast,
has light luncheon put up fer him,
gets into his automobile and spends
the day visiting some point on Ihe
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 a letter to his family,
to whom he is passonately devoted.
He has made observations of the
battlefield from dirigibleS and aero
planes. At one time in 1915 he climb
ed to the SnOw-cOvered crest of Rauch-
kOel Mountains when the temperature
was below zero in order that he might
congratulate the Alpise troops who
SitiOnS.
Experiences Under Fire.
"In 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
! lu hn
concerned for the safety of the people
than he was over the peril to his owl
life
HE is very much interested in tn,
mechanics of warfare. He described
graphically the barrage drill of tn,
Italian troops as he had witnessed it,
"He showed me with greet glee
German cross from a captured air
plane he had framed and hung on tn
wall of his room. He described tn
!. different designs he had seen painte
on German planes and was particular
. ly amused at one which had the desig
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 ar
cestOrs and his Spartan upbringinl
He was tutored by a stern, old arm
: colonel, who, at the direction of tn
boys royal father, treated him in e7
I cry way like the son of a private cit
zen. He has ever since preferre
D simple, rigorous living Hunting an
mountain climbing are among his fl
f vOrite pastimes.
. "What did he have to say about tn
4 political and military situatiOn?"
q asked.
n You must remember" Mr.. Holt r.
a piled, that one cannot quote a Kin
n directly. While we discussed variOl
n phases of the situation very freely,
4 would not be at liberty to give a We
s batim report of his opinions. In fac
v he was careful in talking with me n,
g to express himself positively on ma
d ters of state policy. When l e
e croached on such ground, he wOu
generally counter by asking me VIII
II they told me in Rome about it.
y An Admlrer of America.
rt ''For instance, 1 asked him If 1t w
l. true that Italy desired America
le send military aid to her. He asked
n they told me that in Rome.
ii EYES, replied.
n "The King said that was righe -Ita
y, did want our aid. He said W. cOu
TX help particularly by sending them ste
ls and coal.
pt "He expressed a great deal of int,
IN est In American affairs and the Anne
to can attitude toward the war and Ike
It. me busy answering thoughtful gu,
Mt tiOns about them. He expressed t
he greatest feeling of friendship towaI
ct America and appreciation for what
Dr, have already done in the war.
VS. thought our efforts already made We
If marvellous"