Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-09-27
The Kaiser as | Knew Him
for Fourteen Years
C&9 49,
By ARTHUR N. DAVIS, D. D. S.


respected men in Germany, was one
of my Oldest patients and I decided to
discuss the situation with him. I'm
fortunately, however, found him too
ill to receive me. He was eighty years
old and, although unusually well pre-
served, was in no condition on this
occasion to receive visitors.
Another influential patient of mine
whom sought out at this time was
ex-Ambassador Won Sturm. Although
he was now retired from official life,
he had formerly been powerful fig
ure in German state circles and still
kept more or less In touch with the
new court chamberlain and others in
high Office. His nephew was under
secretary of foreign affairs.
found the ex-ambassador at his
private apartment in the Adlon hotel.
"What will happen to Americans"
I asked, 1T my country declares war
against Germany"
'"That, doctor, will depend entirely
upon how America treats our sub
jects," he replied, somewhat more
coldly than had expected Of him. IF
America interns Germans, of course,
we shall undoubtedly treat Americans
the same way, and you could hardly
expect any special consideration, al
though, if you will write letter to the
court chamberlain, who is personal
friend of mine, I shall see that he gets
it."
"But, excellency," replied, "there is
a treaty between Germany and Amer
lea, understand, which gives the sub
jects or citizens of one country who
happen to be sojourning in the other
when war is declared nine months
within which to close up their affairs
and leave. Would not that protect
me?" a...ss
"Of course, DOCTOR" he answered.
Germany will respect the treaty if
( America does, and then there will be
no trouble: 1t seems to me you must
await developments and, in the mean
time you have no cause for worry"
Suppose some of your subjects in
America should act up and start
blowing up bridges or munition fac
tories and should be lynched, which
they probably would be-" suggested,
"what would Germany's course be7"
"What Germany would do then,
DOCTOR" he replied, slowly and
thoughtfully, as though such contin-
gency had never occurred to him be-
really, doctor, don't know
what we would dor
/ This somewhat unsatisfactory inter-
view with Won Sturln might have wor-
ried me more, perhaps, had it not been
for visit l received only day or
two later from Prince Won Pless. one
of the kaiser's closest friends and adj
visors, who called on me profession
ally. For year and half the kaiser
had had his great army headquarters
at the princes palace at Pless. in
southeastern Germany, and I knew
that he enjoyed his monarch's conf
dence.
When asked him regarding the
possible internment of Americans, he
assured me that, come what might,
and my family had not the slightest
reason for alarm.
''No matter what may befall other
Americans, DOCTOR" he asserted, in
q confidential manner, ''the kaiser has
gone on. record to the effect that you
and your family are not to be mo-
lested." -
Another incident which made me
feel that could proceed with my prep
arations for leaving Berlin without I'M
due haste was the receipt early in the
year of most extraordinary post card
from the kaiser which, it occurred to
me, was quite significant as to his in
tentions regarding my welfare. On one
side was his picture and on the other,
written and signed in English in his
own handwriting, was the message:
"Dear Doctor Davis:
wishing you very good year for
1917. WILLIAM I. R."
This was the first message Of its
kind that i had ever received from the
kaiser. Even in peace times, the pic
ture postals which he had sent to me
from time to time and which were
autographed by him.. were always