Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-10-18

ference apparent to me In our statui
a. I look back on It vas that such m
interview was a very unusual expert
ence for me, while II was not at all un
usual for the King, and I forgot to b
conscious OF that at the time.
"victor Emmanuel impressed me n
q sort of combination of Colonel HOUSE
and the late Frank r. Stockton. He ID
a man Of simple and charming manner,
without pose, who has thrown himself
heart and soul into the cause of his
country and Is working for It night
and day, as hard as any other person
In Italy. But he prefers TO stay be-
hind the scenes while doing It."
A Hard-W orkinq Monarch.
That this unceremonious reception Of
a representative of the American De
mocracy was no pose for theatrical ef.
feet is clearly evident from Mr.. Holtf
report of what he observed and learn
ed of the Kings daily routine. The
Monarch has selected this little villa
for his headquarters on account of ltr
location In convenient reach of every
part OF the ~battIe-line. Each morning
he rises enriy. eats a simple breakfast,
has a light luncheon put up for him,
gets into his automobile and spends
the day visiting some point on the
line, comforting with the officers and
talking with the soldiers, learning
their needs first hand and inspiring
them by his presence and his counsel.
At night he studies the plans of battle
for the following day and never retires
without sending a letter to his family,
to whom he Is passionately devoted.
He has made observations of the
battlefield from diriglbles and nero
planes. At one time In 1915 he climb
ed to the snow-covered crest OF Rauch-
keel Mountains when the temperature
was below zero In order that he might
congratulate the Alpine troops who
had just captured several Austrian po-
sitions.
Experiences Under Fire.
an the coursc of nj conversation"
said Mr.. Holt, "be gave me q graphic
description of his experience In one
town near the frontier. The Austrians
discovered his presence in the town
and began bombardlng 1t. The KIM
Immediately withdrew from the town
In order that. as he told me, he might
not unnecessarily imperil the rest
dents. What he did not tell me was
that he departed from the town open
iy. for he was evidently much more
concerned for the safety Of the peopls
than he was owe the peril of his W
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 Il
"He showed me with great glee a
German cross from a 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
ly amused at one which had the design
Of a Teddy Bear"
His Democratic Traditions.
The Kings ability to play his pres
emit 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 n private citi-
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 situation7" l
asked.
You must remember" Mr.. Holt re-
piled, that cannot quote a King
directly. While we discussed various
phases Of the situation very freely, !
would o be 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 I II.
croached on such ground. he would
generally counter by asking me what
they told me In Rome about II.
An Admirer Of America.
"For instance. l asked hin; II It was
true that Italy desired Amenca TO
send military aid to her. He asked y
they told me that in Rome.
"'Yes. | 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 a great deal OF inter
est In American affairs and the Ameri-
can altitude toward the war and kept
me busy answering thoughtful ques-
lions about them. He expressed the
greatest feeling of friendship towards
America and appreciation for what we
have already done In the war. He
thought our efforts already mrtis were
marvelous"