The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-09-25

rs ! look back on II was mat Sucn an
Interview WAS Il very unusual expert
rncc for u.r. while ii was nor 1T all I'M
usual for The King, and | forgot 70 be
conscious nf that at the time
''Eirtor Emmanuel impressed me as
Il sort of combination of Colonel House
and HE late Frank L. Slockton He is
a mau of simple and charming manner,
without pose. who has thrown himself
heart and soul into the cause of his
country and is working for ii night
ana day, as hard as any other person
in Italy. But he prefers to stay he
hind the scenes while doing it"
A Hard-Working Monarch.
That this unceremoniouS reception OF
u representative of he American De
mocracy was no pose for theatrical eff
feet is clearly evident from Mr. Hollis
report of what he observed and learn
Cd of the Kings daily routine. The
Monarch has selected this little villa
Cor his headquarters on account of Its
location in convenient reach OF every
part OF the battle-line. Each morning
ne rises early, eats a simple breakfast,
has a light luncheon put up for him,
~ctS into his automobile and spends
he day visiting some point on the
line, comforting with the officers and
talking with the soldiers learning
heir needs first hand and inspiring
hem by his presence and his counsel.
At night he studies the plans of battle
Tor the following day and never retires
without sending Il letter To his family.
to whom he is paSSionately devoted.
He has made observations of the
battlefield from dirigibles and aero
planes At one time in 1915 he climb
cd to the snow-covered crest of Rauch-
I.OCl Mountains when the temperature
vas below zero in order that he might
congratulate the Alpine troops who
had just captured several Austrian po-
SitionS.
Experiences Under Fire.
"In the course of our conversation"
said MI 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
", for he was evidently much more
concerned for the safety of the people
than he was over the peril Of his own
life
He Is very much interested in the
mechanics of warfare He described
graphically the barrage drill of the
Italian troops as he had witnessed 1t.
He showed me with great glee a
German cross from n captured air.
plane he had framed and hung on the
wall of his room. He described the
different designs he had seen painted
on German planes and was particular
Iy amused at one which had the design
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 an
cestors and his Spartan upbringing.
He was tutored by a stern, old army
colonel. who. at the direction of the
boys royal father, treated him in ev.
cry way like the son of private citl-
zen. He has ever since preferred
simple, rigorous living. Hunting and
mountain climbing are among his ia
VOrite paStimeS.
What did he have to say about the
political and military situations" I
asked
You must remember" Mr. Holt re-
piled, chat one cannot quote Il King
directly. While we discussed various
phases of the situation very freely,
would not he at liberty to give a YER
batim report Of his opinions. In fact,
he was careful in talking with me not
TO express himself positively on mat
tiers of state policy. When l en-
crOached on such ground, he would
generally counter by asking me what
they told me in Rome about 1t.
An Admirer of America.
For instance, l asked him If it was
true that Italy desired America to
send military aid to her. he ~ lked II
they told me that in Rome
Yes l replied.
THE King said that was right-Italy
did want our aid He said we could
help particularly by sending them steel
and coal.
He expressed great deal of inter
EST in American affairs and the Ameri-
IAN attitude toward the war and kept
me busy answering thoughtful ques-
ions about them. lie expressed the
greatcSt feeling of friendship towards
america and appreciation for what we,
have already done in the war He
thought our efforts already made We're
marvellous"