Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1918-10-04

ference apparent to me in u status
as I look back on II was that such al
Interview was Il very unusual expert
ence for me, while il was not at all I'M
usual for the King, and I forgot to b,
conscious Of that ut rhe time.
"victor Emmanuel impressed me a,
n sort OF combination of Colonel H0uS,
and the late Frank II. Stockton. H il
Il man of simple and charming manner
without pose, who has thrown himsel.
heart and soul INFO The cause of hi
country and is working for it nigl'
and day, as hard as any other persor
in Italy. But he prefers to stay be
hind the scenes while doing it,
A Hard-Working Monarch.
That this uncoremouiouS reception OF
n representative of the American De
mocracy was no pose for theatrical Of,
feet is clearly evident from Mr.. HoltS
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 It's
location in convenient reach of every
part Of the battle-line. Each morning
he rises early, eats a simple breakfast,
has Il light luncheon put up for him,
gets into his automobile and spends
the day visiting some point on the
line, comforting with the officers ana
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 lever retires
without sending a letter to his family,
to whom he is ~passionately devoted.
He has made observations Of the
battlefield from dirigibles and aero
planes. At n time in 1915 he climb
ed 10 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.
''ln the course Of our conversation"
said Mr. Holt, he gave me "A graphic
description of his experience in one
town near the frontier. The AUsrrians
discovered his presence in the town
and begal bombarding il. The King
Immediately withdrew from the town
in order that. as he told Inc. he might
not unnecessarily imperil the resi-
1nnfC What hn J;l n,t an 500 $500.
that he departed from the own open
ly, for he was evidently much more
concerned for the safety of the people
than he was over the peril of his own
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 1t.
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 which had the design
Of a Teddy Bear"
His Democratic Traditions.
The Kings ability to play his pres
ent 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 a 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 a about the
political and military situation?"
asked.
"You must remember" Mr.. Holt re.
piled, that n cannot quote a King
directly. While we discussed various
phases of the situation very freely, ]
would not be at liberty TO give a yer.
hatim report Of his opinions. In fact,
he was careful In talking with me no
to express himself positively on mat.
tiers of state policy. When I en-,
~croached, on such ground. he would
generally counter by asking me what
they told me In Rome about it.
An Admirer Of America.
For instance, I asked him if II wa.
true that Italy desired America to
send military aid to her. He asked II
they told me that in Rome.
eyes rpnlipd
"The King said that was right-Italy
did want Il aid. He said we could
help particularly by sending them steeI
and coal.
"He expressed a great deal of inter
est in American affairs and the Ameri
can attitude toward the war and KEPT
me busy answering thoughtful ques
tons 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 made were
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