The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-10-18

heard that the Germans had threat
ened to shoot Americans serving In
the British army If they captured
them. CHASING them as murderers,
because America was neutral coun-
mix In the war. Did you find that to
be the case7'
l told him that had heard similar
reports, but that did not notice any
appreciable difference In my treat
ment from that accorded Britishers. |
The king declared that he believed |
my escape was due to my pluck and |
will power and that 1t was one of the
most remarkable escapes he had ever
heard Of. which l thought was quite
a compliment, coming as 1t did from
the king of England.
II hope that all the Americans will
give as good an account of themselves
as you have. leftenant," he said, land
l feel quite sure they will. l fully
appreciate all the service rendered us
| by Americans before the States en-
tered the war"
At this moment I asked him II l
was taking too much time.
Not at all, leftenant, not at ALL"
he replied, most cordially. Il was
extremely interested In the brief re-
port that came to me of your wonder
full escape and sent for you because
/ wanted to hear the whole story first
hand. and l am very glad you were
able to come"
haI M tod 30 nj
than few minutes, as I understood
that four minutes Is considered long
audience with the king. Fifty-two
minutes elapsed before l finally left
there
During all this time had done most
of the talking, In response to the
kings request to tell my story. Occa-
sionally he interrupted to ask a ques-
ton about a point he wanted me to
make clear, but for the most part he
was content to play the part of lis
tener.
He seemed to be very keen on every.
thing and when l described some of
the tight holes l got into during my
escape he evinced his sympathy. Dc
casionally l introduced some Of the
/ few humorous incidents of my adven
! ture and In every instance he laughed
heartily.
4 Altogether the impression l got O.
v him was that he Is very genial
I gracious and alert sovereign. ! know
have felt more Ill at ease when talk
4 Ing to a major than when speakin
to the king-but perhaps l had NOR
;. cause to.
l During the whole interview w
e were left entirely alone, which In
}. pressed me as significant Of the dem
y ocratic manner Of the present kim
y Of England. and l certainly cam
y away with the utmost respect for him
t In all my conversation. l recalle,
r afterwards, never addressed tn
king as "Your Majesty" but used tn
t military "sir." As l was a British OF
g ficer and he was the head Of the army
O he probably appreciated this name
o Of address more than II / had use
r, the usual "Your Majesty" Perhap
he attributed 1t to the fact that
II was an American. At any rate, b
t didn't evince any displeasure at m
l. departure from what 1 understand 1
It the usual form Of address.
IS Before left he asked me what N
plans for the future were.
e "Why, sir, l hope to rejoin m
Is squadron at the earliest possible me-
Is ment" / replied.
o, mo, Leftenant," he rejoined. "tha
g Is out Of the question. We can't ris
e. losing you for good by sending 20
to back to part Of the front oppose
e by Germans, because If you were III
" fortunate enough to be capture
again they would undoubtedly shoe
N you"
,e "Well, II / can't serve in Franc
K SIR" l suggested, wouldn't it be fea
De ible for me to fly In Italy or Salo
ey ica?
Id NO." he replied, that would
In almost as bad The only thing TIL
to l can suggest for you to do is eth
x to take up Instruction. very val
able form Of service-or perhaps
ry might be safe enough for you
d. serve In Egypt. but just at preser
leftenant, I think you have dol
Mt enough anyway"
Then he rose and shook hands wi
er me and wished me the best of luc
an and we both said "Good-by."
al In the adjoining room l met Ea
If. Cromer again, and as he accompani,
w Inc to the door seemed TO be surpris
N, at the length of my visit.
e. AS l left the palace a policemi
he and a sentry outside came smartly
ld attention. Perhaps they figured l h
be been made a general.
AS / was riding back to the hot
7" In taxi l reflected on the remar
IL able course of events which in t
,e- short space of nine months had tax
hit me through so much and ended l
he like the finish of book, with my
as ing received by his majesty, {
so king When l first joined the Roy
lily Flying corps + never expected to S
the inside of Buckingham pala
nd much less being received by the xii