Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-26
BY POULTNEY BIGELOW.

JGiLen monarch.
BY POULTNEY BIGELOW.
William II loves the Germany he
once ruled and would gladly close his
life there, much as he appreciates the
generous treatment by Holland.
Never have 1 heard him speak dis
paragingly of GermanyS Fuehrer, or
criticize his grandsonS, who are en-
thusiaStic soldiers in the Hitler uni
form.
Reciprocally I am not aware that
Hitler has ever acted or spoken IN a
manner to make difficult any future
meeting or cooperation. Mussolini
has added to his political power by
loyal support of his monarch. and IN
Germany today there is no less respect
for Hohenzollern tradition.
Only few weeks ago, Prince Louis
Ferdinand. one of the grandSons OF
William II, spent week end as my
guest in Wiesbaden. He could spend
no more, for he is doing a course in
military aviation at Brunswick, Han
over. In his honor, l purchased two
parquet seats for the grand opera The
best seats in the House, they cost me
less than 81 apiece.
Called to Royal Box.
Scarcely were we seated when the
portentious impresario of all the Wies-
baden theaters bounced upon me and
whispered in my ear:
Come quickly! Follow me! Lose
no time!"
Where We were to be led neither
of us could know. In any case, we
dared not question any order which
came in such peremptory form from
one of Hitler'S warmest friends. We
had no choice but to follow him.
We finally found ourselves in the
imperial box. And here. for the rest
of that opera, sat Louis Ferdinand,
the former rulers grandson, an en-
ploye of Henry Ford, an heir appar-
ent. the trusted officer of an army
whose commander is Hitler.
The impresario, Baron Won Schirach,
handled this situation with great dis
erection. although the news could not
be long concealed in a city owing its
modern beauty and fame largely to
William I and still more to the pres
ent exile in Doom. I do not know
whether Hitler ordered this transpo-
sition. In any case, I have yet to
learn that Herr Won Schirach is the
worse for having placed once more a
Hohenzollern in that imperial box.
When the prince left the house dur
ing the last act he passed amid gray
headed old employees who bowed be-
fore him with moist eyes as reverence
ing the traditions he incorporated.
l.;- inv, ot I1nH inc
baden Opera House have been con-
summated without Hitler's consent?
Would Herr Won Schirach have acted
upon his own motion had he felt any
doubt of the approval of his chief?
And had Hitler cherished hostility to
the Kaiser would ne have tolerated
this courtesy toward an heir apparent
of Prussia?
Prospero and Miranda.
The home life of William II is that
of learned and benevolent Prospero
as depicted in Shakespeare's TEN
pest For Miranda We must substi-
tute his wife Hermine, who knits or
sewS of an evening, while her august
lord reads aloud from some historical
or other instructive book. On my
recent visit to Doom it was an ex-
cellent history of Hannibal by Ger
man professor. The reading was fire.
quently interrupted for comments on
the tactics of one or the other army,
for in the audience were always a few
of the hosts old officers.
The servants brought in generous
glasses of beer about 9 O'Clock, but SO
quietly was this done that no sound
was heard other than that of the
reader and some subdued gurgles in
cidental to the shaking of thirst.
Soon after 10 the hostess rose, and
in the company of her husband babe
each guest good night-the parting
emphasized by a cordial handshake
from William H. Before breakfast
the host conducted family prayers, to
which the servant staff also was in
vited, as we'll as the men about the
place in so far as their duties per-
mitted.
Soon after breakfast William II
would lead me into forest preserve
and there we would lop off lower
branches until time to motor home for
luncheon. Such was the program this
year. At other times we have sawed
and split wood for the home fires
good, hard work, and my host did his
full share, although one of his arms
Is almost useless.
The noon meal, as also the dinner
ut 7, was frugal, far more so than in
my Hermitage on the Hudson. There
was usually one course of meat with
two or three vegetables and plain
there was frequently a simple some
thing and some fruit. Wine was
passed, very light Rhine or MoSelle.
Coffee and cigarettes were offered in
the drawing room.
Like Notable Scholar.
William II, were he. not King by
trade and pedigree, would have mace
of himself a notable scholar, scientist.
historian, archeologist or professor OF
comparative theology. He is eminent
ly communicative, disputatious, inquis-
itive-but courteous in debate no less
than firm in his convictions.
I speak mainly from what I have
seen of him during my brief sojourns
at Doom, but from those more ia
miliar I conclude that he is fully &C.
cupied socially by receiving men of
learning, no less than pre-war friends
from across the border, or even from
across the English Channel.
He delights in the company of
youngsters, and whether stepchildren
or children or by his first wife the
difference escapes casual notice.
OF course his household staff must
include secretary for himself. another
for his wife, chief of staff to receive
and sort those who call, treasurer
who looks after his money affairs, a
family physician-all of whom serve
him with unselfish fidelity.
He was wealthy in 1914. But now
he is poor in his private purse. He
is head of his imperial household,
which means that he must provide for