The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-17
FORMER EMPRESS
Of GERMANY IS
LOVABLE WOMAN
She Was Close to Hearts OF
Boche Soldiers During the
World War-HeId Kaiser
Wilhelm in Check.
10y international News Service.


empress had been suffering since early
IN the world war, became more acute
after she had been notified OF the tragic
death OF her youngest and tavorite son,
Prince Joachim. The kaiserin, whose
sufferings during the war were a great
enough burden to bear, began to break
under the strain after the downfall of
Wilhelm and the flight to Holland.
She bore up as well as possible under
the strain and 1t is said she hardly
ever displayed signs Of fatigue or un-
happiness. striving her best to make
life hearable for wilhelm Even though
Joachim's death came when she was IN,
Auguste Nictoria failed 10 nutwardly
gr.eve. bus her attendants said She be-
came greatly depressed.
Was Active in War.
The ex. empress Of Germany was one
OF the predomnating figures Of the
royal family. Quiet, charitable and Of
lovahle nature, she acted as bal
Rnce wheel against the autoCratic prin-
ctples of her husband william Hohcn-
zollcrn, and for a while succeeded in
checking his aspirations for world domi-
nation.
Throughout the world war the en-
press devoted her life TO the German
people She was constantly with the
troops at the front and became con
spicuous by her disregard for danger.
She visited the hospitals daily, carrying
tobacco. cigarcts and flowers to the
wounded and often wrote and posted
In her spare time the empress knit
ted sweaters and frequently invited
large numbers Of officers and men 10
her palace to dine. She was known
10 the soldiers as "uncher muctter-
chen" tour little mother
When the gold in Germany became
lew she gave her iewelry and plate TO
the government. When the food sup
ply grew scarce she insisted on the
use OfShread and meat cards in pro-
visioning the royal harder,
Auguqe Victoria was born at the
castle az DolZig in 1858, She was the
eldest daughter of Frederick, duke OF
Schleswig- Holstein Austenburg and OF
Princess Adelheid OF HohenlOhe- Ian
genbufg.
The empress spent her girlhood at
Prikenau the fine Silesian estate Of
her parents She became the ward OF
her uncle, Prince Christian. following
her fathers death while she was stu
a child. when Prince Christian mar
ried Helena daughter Of Queen Vic
toria, the young princess went with
them to England to live Mt Cumberland
lodge, There she saw much of her
mothers aunt, Queen Victoria, and re-
ceived an English education.
How Bill Met Her.
1t was at Prikenau that her romance
with the former kaiser began, Return
ing from days hunt. so the story
goes, Wilhelm lost his way, While
wandering through the forest he met
young girl who directed him TO the
chateau. The girl was Princess Au-
guste Victoria. Wilhelm was struck by
her beauty and later said he loved her
at first sight. They were married Feb.
%, 1881.
The empress was total stranger to
RarliD court life and Rprlin society 81 I
the time OF her marriage and at first
found It very difficult to adapt herself
TO the formal etiquette with which the
royalty there was surrounded. How
ever, her strong character soon as
serted itself and in n short while she
became power In the empire.
The former empress was always
ready to help in every good work and
her private charities were numerous.
But she did not approve OF the higher
education or emancipation OF women
and entertained a horror Of everything
pertaining 10 the female suffrage move
ment. Women, according to her views
should remain In their own sphere and
should regard their duties to their hus-
bands, their children and their homes
as their foremost obligations
However when the Women's! con-
gress was held In Berlin in 1904 she re
ceived the delegates cordially and held
a lengthy talk with the late Susan Il.
Anthony on suffrage topics. II Is
well recorded incident that Victoria m
sisted on standing while Miss Anthony
remained seated and referred To her
as "her honored guest"
The empfNess was a Protestant and n
strong advocate for the betterment Of
religious conditions In Germany She
on one occasion refused an invitati ton Of
Cosima Wagner widow Of the great
composer. to witness a performance OF
"parsifal." She declared the opeta a
dissertation Of holy function, In 1906
she ordered the manager Of the Royal
theater, In Berlin, TO oNpurgate every
ennuendo or risque saying from plays
she went to see.
A few months prior to the opening
OF the world war in 1914 the empress
publicly denounced the night life OF Ber-
lin, deplored the decline in birth rates
and the general deterioration Of public
morals In the German capital