South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-23
WITH The EX-KAISER AT AMERONGEN
Wilhelm Talks About His Trial and is
Confident No Proofs Can Be Produced

piece OF notepaper-and on Il were
closely scrubbed lines. I picked II
W. and glanced at e. Obviously It
was part OF a hastily scrubbed note
The top OF the page bore the Ro-
ing RAM
80 remain obdurate. Espe-
cially does this apply 20 the British
| prime minister and the French.
with the L. s. it Is different. There
may be some possibility Of averting
70 with the L. s. firm, but equally
I firm are the others who press IT,
They are bent upon securing their
purpose. Even though he return 20
the Fatherlsnd, and remain secluded
I IN the northeast. 7 cannot see any
good purpose being served. Better
/ by far remain in Holland. The draft
which I have seen contains a clause
demanding that if he return 20
Germany he be surrendered. This
I is bad. He has been kept informed.
and will doubtless communicate.
have suggested ="
Part OF n Report.
U
/ evident to me that the paper was
part Of a highly confidential report,
and concerned the future of the
royal exile. had barely time to
/ drop Il on the floor and continue
my journey before the ex-kaiser and
Count Gontard appeared ascending
the stairs. The counts quick eye
spotted the document. He stopped
and picked II up.
What is it?" asked wilhelm.
Thank heaven, that fellow has
not seen it," returned the count, evil
IDENTIFY speaking of me. He knows
too much already"
The pair entered the royal
apartment, and closed the door be-
hind them. From the remark which
I had overheard, I knew that l was
distrusted and suspected
Possibly my name had been men
toned in connection with the re-
porting Of the plot which was being
Matched. I knew now why Count
Gontard was so gracious 70 me.
On the following morning when
the newspapers arrived from Am
sterdam, / saw a report from Paris
stating definitely that the allies had
/ determined that the kaiser should
be placed or trial. and that the Ger
man delegates 70 the peace confer
treaty without first consulting the
1 German government. The report
added the information that the Ger
man delegates were leaving Paris
Immediately.
! could now see the significance
| OF the documents which had pick
ed up. Events moved rapidly dur
ing the next few days. To all out
ward appearances the monotonous
life OF the ex-kaiser continued as
usual. but behind the walls of the
castle there was feverish activity.
Wilhelm's Trial.
Gossips were busy In the village
telling Of the intention OF Wilhelm
10 leave Holland and return 10 Ger
many Immediately before peace was
signed. and once again Journalists
flocked 10 the place
Motor cars were continually ar
irving from The Hague, and officers
many OF whom 1 had never seen be-
fore. visited the castle and left hur-
riedly. Throughout all this the ex-
kaiser appeared to maintain con-
troll OF his feelings, and there were
none Of those sudden outbursts OF
passion 10 which he was so subject
during his early days In exile.
satlOn which had with him. short
~ after the announcement appeared
in the newspapers that he was to
be placed on his trial. Wilhelm ap-
peared in nOwise depressed; rather
I thought ne was inclined 20 be
more amused than anything else al
the prospect Of figuring in a court.
Iaughingiy. he remarked: Are you
afraid to talk TO the outlaw OF Eu-
rope. as they now term me-"
I confessed that I certainly had
no nervous apprehension. Whereup-
on he said: "All this talk Is dis
tinctly amusing. although at the
same time il is annoying TO a certain
extent II I am 20 be tried. all !
ask is that I shall know who are
10 be my judges. and with what
crimes I am TO be charged. I do
not fear to face my accusers. for
| my science il clear. My trust
I is in the Lord Of Hosts. who viii
shield me-"
He Can't be Both.
/ For a few moments he was silent.
and his lips moved as though in
prayer. Then. turning 70 me. he
| said. My enemies have done their
\ utmost TO degrade and disgrace me.
! / have been made 20 appear a fool
\ and an imbecile. If L am an i'm
beetle then am not responsible FOR
\ my actions If 7 am the criminal
/ which they paint me. then I cannot
/ be an imbecile. They cannot argue
\ both ways I by no means shiril
\ from trial rather I would welcome
7 IT, TO prove how wrongfully I have
! been accused But would I receive
I Justice IN any court which nv enc
mics would appoint? Already I am
! prejudged and condemned.
u was a few weeks after this
= conversation with the ex-kaiser that
1 happened 20 be thrown in con-
tact with the Countess Won Kelle-
mann, the ex-empress' lady-in-wait-