The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-12-19
he Kaiser as | Knew Him
for Fourteen Years
C0
BY ARTHUR N. DAVIS, D. D. S.


Louise, the kaiser's only daughter, I
may mention, usually came similarly
provided. No German ever lets any
thing interfere with his second break
fast.
M empress never spoke on politi-
chi subjects. She was not particularly
brilliant and evidenced some reluc-
lance to air her views on international
affairs, as though she were not quite
sure of herself. Certainly, she was not
nearly as laxative as the kaiser.
When she did unburden herself, 1t was
usually In connection with domestic
subjects. 1t was said In Germany that
her only interest In life was represent.
ed by the "three KS" Kinder. Kirche
n Kuche-children, church and
kitchen-and there is no question about
1t that she seldom spoke on other SUBJ
1ects when talking with me.
The kaiserin came to me after the
war with America started, but appar-
emily she had felt some hesitation
about doing so, because the kaiser told
me shortly before her visit that she
Intended coming, but pointed out that
she had decided to do so only upon his
recommendation.
In June. 1917, I received a letter
from the kaiserin's physician inclos-
ing n which he said had been writ
ten by the kaiserin, but which was
both unsigned and unaddressed. 1t
requested me to visit the royal palace
ut HOmburg v. d. Hohe, which, in con-
junction with the adjoining town Of
K~reuznach, was then the location Of
the great army headquarters.
During the time i was there I could
not help observing how extremely tim
Id the servants seemed to be Of the
kaiserln. One expected to find the
utmost servility among the kaiser's
underllngs, but I confess 1t came rath-
er as a shock to me to see the maids
walking 80 timidly and talking SO fear
fully when In the presence of their
white-haired royal mistress. I noted
particularly how very gently they
knocked at the door before entering
and how, after knocking, they immedi-
ately placed their heads against the
panel that they might catch the
kaiserin's low command to enter the
first time, and SO make It unneces-
sary for her to repeat 1t. Their de-
meanOr was particularly noticeable be-
cause the kaiserin never seemed to
display the slightest Impotence or ILL
temper when dealing with her serv-
ants. Indeed, she seemed to me to act
nc differently from the humblest haus-
frau In the country.
Before l left Homburg, she asked me
whether I was comfortably situated and
II everything was all right for me.
1 told her that everything was quite
satisfactory and mentioned particular
ly how nice 1t was to have food exactly
as we had had 1t before the war.
EYES," she replied, 1--WE have every
thing. I am very careful what ! eat.
I watch my health very closely"
remarked. too. how wonderful It
must be to have sixty palaces like the
Homburg establishment, the beauties
of which had deeply impressed me,
adding: His majesty. l understand.
has sixty Of them, has he nOtT"
"Not quite sixty" she corrected. BE
tween fifty and sixty"
Between fifty and sixty palaces
I could not help thinking Of the re-
mark the kaiser once made to me when
talking of the manner In which Amer
lean mlllionaires made their fortunes
ut breeds socialism I"
When the time came for me to re-
turn to Berlin. the kaiserin babe me
adieu. but uttered not a word Of thanks
for my having given up my practice
for three days to work exclusively for
her.