The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-20
Frederick Haskin's Letter
Royal EniIes.

Washington, Dec. 1e.-Charles of
Hapsburg may well thank the kind
ly fate that handed him nice semi
tropical island on which to be ex-
lied. Napoleon on the lonely rock
of st. Helena and the kaiser still in
his Dutch castle might well think
that Charles has unusual luck to
be dispatched to sunny Madeira.
Compared with Napoleon's life on
st. Helena, especially, the exile OF
ex-Emperor Charles seems an easy
existence. The remarkably healthy
and even climate of Madeira at
tracts SO many visitors that it is
now a well established winter re-
sort. In the city of Funchal, his
new home, Charles will find plenty
OF company and amusement, if he
cares to minyle with his neighbors.
He goes about freely, attended by
one plain clothes man. In fact, he
is practically allowed to live the
life OF any gentleman of leisure in,
Funchal.
Napoleon, on the other hand, was
treated at all times as a military
prisoner. He might not receive
company without a pass from the
governor of st. Helena. He might
not receive or send uncensored let
tiers.
The men who decided on the
terms of his exile decreed that:
1T must be signified to the gen.
eral that if he make any attempt
to fly, he will be put into close con-
fnan0nt cT h4 -
his attendants that, if it should be
found that they are plotting t. pre-
pare the generals flight, they shall
be separated from him and likewise
be under close confinement
IF there are strangers in the
island whose residence in the coun-
try shall seem to be with a view
of becoming instrumental in the
flight of General Buonaparte, he
(the admiraD must take measures
to remove them. The admiral will
adopt the most rigorous measures
to watch over the arrival and de-
parture of every ship and to pre-
vent all communication with the
coast except such as he shall al
low"
Napoleon might not even take a
walk without soldiers at his heels
So incensed did he become at this
particular restriction that he had
a long ditch dug in which he pro-
posed to take outdoor exercise with
out making a public spectacle of
himself. 1t is said, however, that
he never made use of this device
after having it constructed, though
he grew steadily stouter from want |
Of exercise.
Pains of Exile.
Napoleon was made to feel his |
condition as a prisoner even by the !
was not permitted to refer to him |
as the former emperor or to call !
him Napoleon. He was at all times
General Buonaparte-" Charles Of |
may style himself ex-
emperor as much as he likes. No
)ne grudges him that
These two exiles, of course, are
different characters. Ma
,oleon's influence and triumphs had
been so great that his captors never
elt absolutely safe from his pos
;ible return to power. Charles is
/ much dangerous prisoner. So,
wen though like Napoleon he tries
o come back, and even though air
planes make escape much simpler
or him, Charles is not heavily
guarded.
1t was Napoleon's escape from
Glba that made the restrictions of
st. Helena so rigorous. The man
Who had ruled most of Europe was
Indignant at the measures taken to
prevent any plots for escape or res
ue. But the English took no
hances. One dialogue is quoted in
which Napoleon said:
you do not know my character.
lou ought to have relied on my
Vord of honor"
One Of those present answered.:
Might 1 tell you the truth ?"
Napoleon assented.
81 must then tell you, that since
our invasion of Spain no English