The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-11-15
VICTOR NOW LOVED
War Has Brought Popularity to
ItaIy's King.
His Democratic Ways, and Courage In
the Face of Danger, Have Greatly
Endeared Him to Both Sol.
diers and Citizens.


The war has cast some kings down
from their thrones and held up others
to the scorn of the world. But it has
also made some honored and beloved,
not by their own people only but by
millions Of the citizens of other coun-
tries. King Albert of Belgium is one;
King Victor Of Italy is another. Vic
tor has not the imposing presence and
heroic bearing of Albert, but his soul
has risen nobly to the occasion.
The extreme democracy Of Italy,
says Mr.. Herbert Vivian in "Italy at
War;" has always expressed itself in
the freest criticism Of the monarchy.
During the agitation Of May, 1915,
when many persons feared that Italy
might shrink from war, the name Of
King Victor Emmanuel III was fire.
quently taken in vain. The press pub
lished irlpudent .caricatures and open
" accused him Of being swayed by
Austrian sympathizers.
TUOT llllS ludu oO anu
rather alonel He has a splendid
wife. worthy daughter Of the old lion
of Montenegro, and he finds much
homely happiness in his sturdy fam
lily. But he has been the subject of
many Sights and much Indifference;
indeed, only in Italy is it known how
near he was eXiled in May, 1915.
But the time for pity has gone by,
and the king is now by far the most
popular man in the kingdom. He is
almost a dwarf, with a colOrless face
slightly bronzed by the elements, a
crisp, manly voice, and way Of laugh
ing with his eyes. He stands erect,
with his short legs wide apart. His
hair is beginning to grow gray, and
there are burrows ON his forehead and
beside his mouth, yet he bears HIM
self like 4 young man, walking fast
and never firing. He speaks little
and simply, alway5 to the point, look
ing men straight in the eyes and awak-
ening strong feeling wherever he
goes.
He buzzes about the battle front in
q little gray motor, without escorts,
and with no precautions for his safety.
He sleeps little and cares not where;
he is quite happy in an Alpine hut or
on straw. His fare is Of the simplest
q little cold meat, bread, cheese and
choco!ate-and he IS always ready to
share it with the nearest soldier. He
says "Tu' to everyone in a fatherly
way, and welcomes familiarity from
the soldiers. They treat him as one
of themselves, but none have ever
taken advantage cf his good nature.
He laughed heartily when an old SOL
dier called out to him: "Nay, majesty,
what be doing here? This is no place
for thee. Get thee gone at once"
He interests himself in all the men
he meets. "Dear me-" he says, "what
a lot of post cards! Are they all for
sweethearts? Give them to me and
will send them with my own letters.
Such things should not be delayed"
''Why do you look so glum? No
news from your family? Cheer up!
I'll send wire for you to inquire"
The soldiers see him praying with
glistening eyes over dying comrade.
'sFor your majesty" gasped q dying
soldier as he stretched out his arms.
| "Not so, my son." was the grave re-
ply, "for Italy"
Another incident that happened on
the battle front gives picture Of the
kings courage. In the midst Of shell
fire lieutenant who had fallen, NOR
tally wounded, called soldier, gave
him a few keepsakes to convey to his
family and then ordered him to fly.
| But the soldier tried to carry the
lieutenant to place of safety. Some
gunners called to him through the in
fernal fire: "Save yourself! Save
yourselfw But still he remained. In
! the distance a motor horn could be
heard, and the whisper went round
that the king had left the field. The
soldier still struggled with the Off
GERS body, but the lieutenant died
in his arms. Flinging himself on the
corpse, the young fellow exclaimed
with tears:
"Even the king has gone away"
Then a hand touched his shoulder.
He shook himself. rose and stood at
attention. "My dear boy" said the
king, "the car has gone, but the king
is still with you"
! And there he remained till the end
of the day.