Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-24
VIM MHOHENzOLLERN, OLD,
BROKEN, DEWH|SkEREO
All Dreams of Conquest Have
Faded From Brain Of Fugitive
Ex-Hun Ruler.

Holland, after recent visit TO the former
kaiser at Amerongen, gives an interesting
picture Of the former war lord Of Ger
many.
William Hohenzollern is now n broken
down old man who takes little interest in
current events and cberishes no ambition
to conquer the world. This is the opinion
of DIR. T.. II. Fokker, consul-general-at-
large of the Netherlands, on special mis-
sion to the United States. DIR. Fokker
dined recently at the castle of Count Ben
tinck at Amerongcn, where the kaiser has
been living since he fled from Germany in
November. 1918. He is convinced that the
ex-kaiser intends to pass the remainder
of his life nj Doom, whittier he will soon
move, having recently purchnscdnn estate
there. DIR. Fokker gave mn interesting
picture of the former emperor, who has
aged perceptihIy and has discarded his
famous molistache for q beard. He also
discussed Hollands attitude toward it's
German guest.
"When Kaiser Wilhelm crossed the
border into our country" he said, 1T was
his intention TO find refuge with his friend,
Count Bentinck Of Middachten, who oil
ways kept ready for occupancy a beautiful
suite of rooms for the comfort OF his roy
nj guest But when the emperor arrived
at Niddachten he found the castle closed
A porter at the gate informed him that the
count had died few days before and that
the other members Of tho family were not
Mt home. Later, it was learned that hav-
ing known of the kaisers approach, they
had temporarily vacated, in order TO avoid
the embarrassing consequences which
might ensue from harboring refugee
whom All the world was seeking.
fl thot, r,rrrccd-
cd 20 Amerongen. where he was received
at the Castle Of Count Bentinck, brother
of the dead Count Of Middaohten. Here
he has resided for more than a year, al
though the Dutch government notified his
host that entertainment should be provid-
ed for only few days.
According to an unwritten law which
has been respected since the days oi
/ Darius. the royal refugee has been per
mitted 10 remain unmolested At Amer
onpen. and demands for his extradition
have ALWAYS been politely refused. II can
not be charged truthfully, however. that
| Holland welcomed the kaiser with open
arms
| lust before sailing % America about six
weeks ago, DR.. Fokker was Count ben
| tinek's guest at dinner
/ II am not ~ al surprised that visitors 70
Amerongan have found access to the
kaiser practically impossible, he said
| Count Bentinck's castle has all the einh-
/ orate provisions against assault winch
were employed by the Barons Of tho Md
die Ages With passport in hand, ! cross
Ell bridge over moat 70 the castle wall.
/ Presenting my passport 70 the guard,
was admitted ~ the gardens. Surround
| ing the castle ia another moat, which ]
wna unable tn oross until signal was CIV
eu for lowering tho drawbridge. his
/ led me 10 the castle gate, and here again !
i had to show my passport before gaining
admission.
BESIDES mysrlf and other guests ~ the
| BANQUET were Count Bentlnck's family,
| Emperor Wilhelm and the Empress. In
| tho conversation which followed, the
| kaiser talked but little Since the out
| break of the war. he has aged perceptibly
/ | noted his gray hair and especially his re-
| GENTLY grown gray beard, which seems to
| dctract from the former solitary grand
cur of his world-famed fnoustaehe. Al
though originally Of fine. soldierly appear
amer. Emperor Wilhelm has never been
| a we'll man. From the day Of his birth
| his left side has been partially paralyzed,
,lcpriving him Of the effective use of his
/ left arm and leg In mounting horse
he was accustomed 10 Use a small step
ladder. and he always held the reins in the
| right hand lie also had difficulty IN walk
ing
"An amusing story is told about visit
! which the kaiser once made to distln'
| gulshed but somewhat lndgent member
Of the nobility in Slesia, who was nearly
ruined by having to furnish hrs castle with
expensive rugs and carpets. so that his
...s..ht al MI hrpaE hfS
bones on the polished floors. This plTysl'
cal infrrnitv Emperor Wilhelm inherited
from his grandmother, who was MEM
Der of the Wittelbach dynasty OF Bavaria
Il can certainly give assurance to any
one who NAV be nervous about possible
restoration OF the kaiser to- the throne o
Germany that he is now broken-dowT
old man who takes little interest IN cur
rent events and cherishes no presumptuou'
ambition to conquer the world.
Prom the castle OF Count Bentlnck a
Amerongen the emperor and empress
will soon be removed TO a magnificent CO
tate which they have purchased at Doom
one of the most aristocratic towns OF tn
Netherlands. Although thirty castles anC
town-houses we're left to the Hohenzollerr
family. the kaiser did not possess grea
wealth in his own name But there is M
doubt that he will find Doom delightful
place of residence, where he will be pro
tected from the intrusion of curious tour
lists on pious pilgrimages by an exceeding
ly high fence which surrounds the estate
Here he evidently intends to pass the re
mainder of his life, no longer a feariu
menace to human tranquility.
Neither does there appear to be al
appreciable danger from a possible out
break on the part of the Crown Prince
who is now safely interned in the Islam
of Wieringen, situated in the Zmder Zee
Upon this modern st. Helena, the Dutcl
government has stationed strong miltar,
guard, further strengthened by torped
boat, which patrols the little island da,
and night
Commenting on the growth OF radical
ism in Holland, DR. Fokker said:
I'VE have In our Second Chamber
which corresponds to your House OF Req
resentatives, one hundred members
among whom there are three Communist
and twenty-five Socialists. Although we
are unable TO cooperate with the Com
munists, we get along very nicely WIT
the Socialists and have In part adopte
their program Our postothces, telegrap
and telephones, and most of our railroad
are owned by the government. The cite
have also partly adopted Socialistic prlr