The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-05
GUILTY ONLY OF
 EFFORTS TO KEEP PEACE SAYS EXILE
Kaiser Declares Trial By Allies Would Be Indig-
 nity To Him.
MIGHT SATISFY
 ENGLISH CURIOSITY
Learned Intention of Vic tors From His Doctor and
 Says He Is Ready.
Copyright 1919, by The International
 News Rureau- Incl


 | Amerongen, Holland, Aug 2-"By what right would they force me to
 submit to this indignity-to be the
 object to be stared at and ridiculed | by a vulgar crowd For what crimes | am I to be tried? I am innocent of | any but the crime of endeavoring to l maintain peace when I was threat | ened on every hand. Cannot my l enemies be content with the victory | they have won without thus tramp1ing g upon the vanquished and the fallen :? | My one wish is to end my days as a | private individual, to live the life of a I private gentleman, free from the fet- | ters of statesmanship."
 | Such were the first words that the 1 ex-Kaiser uttered when, in the castle | at Ameronsen. he learned of the de- ! cision of the Allies to place him upon | his trial in London. Why should l they choose London?" he asked | save to satisfy the idle curiosity of 1 the English-to pander to their nat ural vanity"
 It was Dr. Rosen, the most intimate | friend of the ex-Kaiser, TOW like his Royal master. an exile in Holland
 who broke the news of the Allies de- clslon- The ex-Kaiser had retired for the night when the doctor reached
 AiiC NdSbit, anu count benIlck and the
 new arrival sat discussing the position
 until long into the early hours of the
 morning. When it was known Will helm had completed his breakfast the information was conveyed to him that Dr. Rosen desired an audience There were five persons present at the audience, which lasted close upon an hour The company were the ex- Emperor, the Kaiserin, Count Bentick. Dr. Rosen and the Counts Secret tary
 ''Of What Am I Accuscd?"
 Dr. Rosen was deeply affected, for, after lowing to the ex-kaiser and kissing the hand of the Empress, he commenced by informing the Kaiser
 that he had grave news to impart
 These are grave times" returned
 the ex-Kaiser, but I am now a free and independent person, but would to
 God I could see the Fatheriand pIac-
 ed in happier circumstances Why
 is 1t you have come to me at this
 hour, Rosen? ?' he asked. Does the Fatherland need rne?" he added as a
 conclusion.
 The F'atherland needs you, sire"
 returned the doctor, but I have come
 to inform your Majesty of what the
 enemies of the Fatherland are now plotting"
 AiS tOlINeIHS person asked the exLWar Lord. Come, Rosen, |" he said boldly, tell me of 1t. promise that the plot shall not worry l me greatly"
 Your Majesty, the Allies have de- 1 clared their intention that the Kaiser i shall be placed on trial in London. ]" At first Wilhelm appeared dazed and could scarcely appreciate the sig nificanoe of the doctors words "One might have expected this" said Wilhelm slowly and graveIy "I am not surprised that it should have been the British who have decided this. Is there no limit to their van ity, to their audacity? What are the crimes of which I am accused? :? By what right would they submit me to this indignity-to be the object to i be stared at and ridiculed by a vulgar crowd? Surely I have suffered enough. I am innocent as you know of any crime, save that of striving continually in the cause of peace, and to make the Fatherland a nation to be | admired and esteemed On every ] hand I was surrounded by enemies 1 who sought the ruin of Germany 1 This is completed now. and I am to be ! tried" Wilhelm laughed a harsh bit i ter laugh but his face was deathly pale.
 The ex-Kaiserin appeared over | whelmed at the news. She rose and 1 approaching her husband whispered | to him. Her words had an almost l instantaneous effect upon the ex- | Kaiser, who. strengthening himself and looking proud and defiant as
 ever. said. ''Why should I submit to l this? I am a free individual, and ! have been granted the hospitality of Holland. Holland will protect ma
 from the enemies who seek my fur ther degradation"
 "I Am Ready" "If Holland fails your Majesty
 there are hundreds of thousands ot
 true Germans who are ready to die | for your Majesty" It was pr. Ro. sen who spoke. and the Kaiser hear | ing him, smiled. Thank you, Ro- | sen," he said simply. 'I know I have | still many friends who are ready tt, | aid me, but I would have no further | bloodshed. If I can further the cause | of the Fatherland by my death, the | I am ready and happy. Though
 am no longer Kaiser. my one though
 is of my people and my land. Your life shall never be taken l exclaimed Rosen, such a sacrifice 1 not demanded of your Majesty" l T have seen the wording of tr 1 Treaty which has been signed" r 1 turned Wilhelm calmly. "I can re- 1 the meaning of those words. Tn | may try mo for offences which tn l conjure up, and the penalty will | | death, at the best punishment to
 some desolate isle in the case of | rcapoleon. There is limit to the | audacity of the British. and the
 French hate me even moro than do 1 the British"
 | "But your Majesty. there is a way l to avoid this. It has already been l pointed out to yeur Majesty" said | Rosen.
 ] 'T know, I know," returned the !, Kaiser. but why should leave this {! place, where I am content to remain [ If I followed the desire of some who | are my most loyal supporters and
 friends I should but still further com | promise the position, and bring