Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-13
Hun Royalty
at Arm Length
Boxing Instructor Of the Kaiser
Family Writes Interestingly
Of Experiences.
copyrighted by J. p. Slim. Furnished
by tho International News Bureau. Incl
He was the exception who proved t
By J. r. SLIM.
Eighteen Months In the Service of the
Emperor at Potsdnm.

In this respect their ruler has set
them an example which they learned
to follow only too we'll.
I still hear British folk speak OF
the Kaiser with contempt. as though
he himself were an enemy to be
esteemed very lightly.
In my mind he bulks' largo as the
formidable leader OF terrible nation.
The remarkable place he fills In Ger
many can never be understood by the
democratic English race.
His vanity and bofnbast seem to
have obscured his wonderful and many
sided abilities from the view of our
own people. Yet l know from my own
experience and from reliable sources
of hrst-hand information that he has
contrived to be all things to all men
in Germany for more than a quarter
OF a century.
He Is more cunning by far than the
military chiefs, who believe they are
leading him by the nose. end he can
match in business ability any of the
very successful magnatcs who worship
from afar as the first Hohenzollern who
has ever Identified himself with the
interests OF their class. For years he
strove to link the two great classes
in Germany, the aristocrats ana tho
plutocrats. under his own banner; and
1 was able to see with my own eyes
and to hear from the mouths OF repre-
sentative men of both classes how well
he had succeeded in doing 1t.
Among his ruling passions Is deep
seated hatred of the English race and
envy OF the empire which they control
In my encounters with him this feel
ing mover once failed to show itself,
and in all the reliable stories I heard
of him. many OF which came direct
from the mouths OF his own sons. there
was always something to confirm the
~
TO learn that he was the supreme head
OF the whole aristocratic class in Ger
many, Just as he was the absolute
ruler of every member of his own clan
of Hohenzollern.
A DOMINATING INFLUENCE
IN EVERY PHASE OF LIFE
In Berlin l lived with the feeling
that every aspect OF life and every
movement, new or old. could be traced
back in some way to the Kaiser him
self. At the theater one heard ones
ncighbors discussing not the play, but
the kalser's opinion OF the play. IL
one was measured for suit OF clothes
the tailor would possibly say that the
Kaiser had recommended a certain
cut. One openly read paper of which
the Kaiser approved and gloated secret
ly over sheet he had condemned
Nothing seemed too small or too big
IT was all affected by his opinion and
his influence. Germans of every class,
even those who openly abuse the
Kaiser and all his ideas, were unani-
nous In attributing much OF the prog
ress and prosperity of modern Ger
many to his energy and foresight
AS soon - returned to England, I
ventured to predict that the single
dominating power of the Kaiser would
prove a great asset to Germany in the
stern business of waging war. was
laughed at when 1 maintained that
the absence of any possible division of
opinion, and the discipline OF the Ger
man people under this autocratic SWAY.
might serve as wonderful bond be-
tween all classes in the German en-
pire.
The greater part Of the British peo-
pie then regarded the Kaiser as an in
competent fool. They have learned n
! great deal since then, and can see now
that his strong personality is the
cement which binds the strong wall of
German resistance.
! have often been asked what would
| happen in the event OF anything hap
pening to the German Emperor. No
| member OF his family approaches him
in ability and determination, Tho
ablest OF his sons is Prince August
William, scholarly man OF the pro
lessorial type. but of great character.
Tho crown prince himself would be
noble caste in Germany. The bust
ness men. who hold an enormous
amount of power in their hands, detest
and fear him.
The man next to the Kaiser in repu-
tation and influence in Germany was
MS brother, Prince Henry Of Prussia.
He was to the growing German navy
what the Kaiser was to the army and
to business and finance high born
mead, supreme in his own domain. One
heard his name at every turn, and the
value OF the hypocritical friendliness
he maintained in England and Americn
was continually being mentioned.
sometimes German of more than
customary frankness used to ieer
openly at me. because OF the trust
Great Britain showed Prince Henry
and his wife
KAISER AND HENRY
NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONS
The Kaiser and his brother are SO
much national institutions in Germany
mat am unable to believe that there
VIII ever be revolution OF the pso-
pie In the life time of the Kaiser. II
is my belief that the Germans will
stand firmly by him, whether i'm vic
tory or defeat. In the latter case he
Will probably contrive to cast the blame
upon his advisers and also upon his
son and heir, whom he cordially hates.
peheu TO occur at such q critical mo-
ment as the present. might easily
change the whole course OF German
history. I have heard Germans of all
classes speculate upon what might
happen In such case. and most OF
them expressed the opinion that a.
process OF disintegration would berin
In what direction the change might
tend they did not all agree, but their
specuiations were made in time Of
peace.
can best conclude my account OF
these German experiences of mine with
word to the good people who expect
that the German people will make n
peace outside of their ruling dynasty.
TO them I would say you must either
peat the Kaiser or arrange for his
removal from this life before you can
nope for tho peace you desire.
(The End.)