Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-26
Perhaps the most notable incident Of thi.

Perhaps the most notable incident Of this
European tour, at any rate in the light OF sub
sequent history, was Roosevelts meeting with
the kaiser in Berlin. His visit to the Prussian
capital had been arranged before he left Amer
lea, and was made for the purpose of delivering
lecture at the University of Berlin. This lee
ture did not particularly interest me. 1t was
entitled: "The World Movement" can't
help feeling that Roosevelt subconsciously
strove to impress the university pedants OF
Germany that an American democrat could be
as scholarly and academic as they were and
could deal in abstract ideas as ponderously as
they could. The address-in my Judgment
does not compare in style, in content. or in
effectiveness with his speeches at the Sorbonne
and the Gudhall or with the extemporaneous
address to the undergraduates at Cambridge.
Nor was the ceremony itself as human and in
teresting as that at the Sorbonne, although it
was much more elaborate and formal 1t is
true that a chorus of students-dressed in the
rather theatrical and bizarre costumes Of their
various "eorps'-sang, as only Germans can
sing finely harmonized arrangements Of Hail
Columbia" and "The Star-Spangled Banner"
But the professors in their academic gowns
struck me as rather stodgy. The kaiser, dressed
in what supposed to be a Hussar's uniform
was in the audience; and, much as | despise
his course in the European war, l must admit
that he had very marked attractiveness of
personality and manner.
On the day of his arrival in Berlin Roose-
velt lunched with the emperor at the palace in
Potsdam and | had the good fortune to be
one of the party. We went out from Berlin
by special train and with brilliant COM
pany OF army and navy officers and govern
ment officials Chancellor Won Bethmann- Holl-
veg was of the party. Everything had been
done by the kaiser to make it evident that he
wished to treat Roosevelt with special honor
For example, the day following the luncheon,
the kaiser invited Mr.. Roosevelt to review
with him some remarkable field maneuvers of
the German troops and they spent in this op-
Grafton five hours together on horseback.
Ex-Ambassador Henry White, who was the
only civilian present except Kermit Roosevelt,
described the scene to me that evening. The
emperor was dressed in the uniform of gem
eral of his army, Mr.. Roosevelt in simple rid
ing suit of khaki and black SLOUGH hat As
they sat side by side in the saddle, responding
together to the salutes of the officers and
troops who passed by in review, the scene must
have been of dramatic interest-thc only differ
enee in their station being indicated by the fact
that the emperor was dressed in uniform while
Mr.. Roosevelt wore the dress in which he
would ride across country at home, and by the
manner of their sautes the emperor as COM
mpaander-in.chief touching his visor, Mr.. Roose-
veat as private citizen raising his hat. During
officers in brilliant uniform gathered about
him, raised his helmet and, turning to Roose-
welt, said in German: Roosevelt mein freund.
l wish to welcome you in the presence of my
guards; | ask you to remember that you are
| the only private citizen who ever reviewed the
troops OF Germany" Those who are familiar
with the strict military procedure of the Ger
man empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II and who
understands the intimacy of the German ex-
| preston "nein fruend," can understand the
real intention OF the kaiser to impress his Of
ficers and the country with his desire to confer
| WndL ne believed a mark Cf dicfincfin,
| upon Roosevelt
Roosevelt appreciated these courtesies but
| l think he rather felt the element of medae-
vaiism and artificiality in them. AT all events,
turned the heads of some American exchange
professors to Germany during the European
war, Tor at the very outset he denounced the
invasion of Belgium.
But to go back for moment to the lunch
con at Potsdam. 1t was perfectly appointed
and managed and the etiqutte of precedence
was scrupuously observed. 1t was served at
small round tables in one of the state dining
rooms room; to company OF, should say, 50 or 60
laoles ana gentlemen, including Mrs. Roosevelt,
the empress, and ladies of the court. On leaving
the table we adjourned to great reception
room known as the Muschelsaal, so called be-
cause the artist who built it in Frederick the
greats time stuck the yet-soft plaster full of
i1idescent mussel shells with the typcallv
torn decoration of beauty. 1t is hardly nee
essary to add that it does not Colonel Roose-
Velt and the kaiser withdrew to one corner Of
the great Mussel Salon and entered into a
lively conversation The rest of the partv re-
NAMED at the other end of the room chatting
as group OF guests would do anywhere at q q
| special luncheon
AFTER some time had elapsed I noticed the
Ii,ii!afy commander in charge of the affars-
tnink 1t was General Won Plessin-go up and
Whisper to Chancellor Won Bethmaun- HoiIweo
Inc two pulled out their watches and then con.
suited Baron Schon, the minister of the in.
ter,of. Inc three next went to the empress
ana talked with her in low voices. Their ao;.
'duoh was so marked and so out of keepine
viii wnat NAG oeen the precision thus far OBJ
served that turned to young captain Of in.
lantry whose acquaintance had made COMING
OUT on the train and who spoke English ner'
feetly and knew my official relation TO Ronse.
welt, and said: "May I ask if awning bss
gone wrong?" He replied: eyes. The snec;a
trains ira return to Berlin at O'Clock. It is now
~ minutes TO and we are afraid that we shall
tnose days II German military train. especially
royal railway train. was delayed the entiIs
operation OF the empire was ant temnor.r ~,
az least, to go to pieces. But the exactinp an5
an-poWerfui domination of the kaiser was such
ana the officers of his court had been SO trainer
from their earliest youth, that there was no
one person in that roonl-not even the nr;nn,
minister of the empire, not even the emnres
herseit-Who dared step across the floor anr
remind the kaiser of an important engagement
NO one could leave the room until he gave IN,
signal. SSH ~ ea'e 'h'
BY and by he came out of the hypnotic inAu
ehe9 whGh seemed to be exercised by the Sol
to call him) and gave the necessary informa
| ton that we were to 90 We were r,,eb a. ~ AZ