Washington Journal., 1943-01-22

NoAD RN'J
to a stop.
Now there we're general shouts of "Hoch,
hoch !" and we saw King Ludwig i'll a sky
blue uniform and silver sash with a star on
his breast, wearing a generals chapeau with
blue and white plumes, come rapidly from the
reception room, followed by Baron Lutz and
white bearded Baron Won der Tam, who was
likewise in a generals uniform, his breast
covered with decorations. He got a warm
ovation from the crowd because of his record
in the French German war.
The three reached the end of the red run
ner and stood facing the door Of the private
car. For a moment there was utter silence.
Then three tall figures emerged from the car
and, standing erect, raised their hands in
military salute. {.
We knew them at once as the Emperor
William, Bismarck and Moltke, for they
looked Just like their familiar pictures in the
illustrated weeklies. All three were as tall
as King Ludwig, (himself a six-footer), but
they looked even taller in their high spiked
helmets. The Emperor and Moltke were in
dark-blue uniforms without any decoration,
Prince Bismarck stood between them, con-
s~picuous in his white cuirassier's tunic and
high boots. The old Emperor who stood in
front of the prince and fieldmarshall, smiled
graciously between his white side whiskers.
The clean-shaven Fieldmarshall had the set
LOOK Ol q SOlulcI dJ dIJcuJIOu, Willie lLC HUI
Chancellor's" mouth was hidden under his
grizzly moustache as he peered from under
his bushy white eyebrows. Behind me heard
a voice whispering "Wie der grimme Hagen
i'm Niebelungenlied', a reference to the grim
counsellor of King Guther of the B~urgundians
in that tale of yore.
There was a mutual shaking of hands and
exchange of words among the small group on
the platform. Then the crowd in the station
L - I'LL ~ H.. l~--
Joined Justify. Above the cheering could be
heard the shrill sound of Hans fathers silver
whistle.
The glorious bandmaster raised his baton,
whereupon the band intoned the solemn strain
Of the imperial anthem, while the crowd
around us sang the first strophe of "Heil
dir i'm Siegerkranz! - In this we joined with
a will, having been drilled in the wording of
the song during patriotic exercises at school.
Once more the station masters whistle
blew. The band ceased playing. The group
on the platform that had been standing stif1y
in a row, separated. King Ludwig, walking
at the Emperor's left, led him to the recep-
ton room, followed by the others in pairs,-
Baron Won Lutz, looking puny at the right OF
huge Prince Bismarck, while General Won der
Tam with all his Respondent decorations and
generals sash looked small beside the tall
Fieldmarshall in his plain dark uniform.
They came down the red runner and went
into the gala saloon. Everybody outside re-
laxed and there was a general buzz OF talk.
Presently Baron Won Lutz came out Of the re-
ception room. He beckoned to Burgomaster
Ehrhardt. The prime minister's eye fell on
Erwin and me and he frowned slightly. The
two gentlemen went in.
A Cat Can Look at a King
Erwin nudged me and whispered: "Ill
catch it when | get home"
| whispered back "Put the blame on mel
Tell him that as a foreigner ! didn't know
any better and saw no harm in it'll"
A few minutes later the loud bell rang again
and the crowd fell silent. The doors Of the
gala saloon opened. AS the Emperor and the
King came in sight the crowd in the station
cheered.
We boys pressed against the wall, keeping
well out Of the way of the little procession
walking in the same order as before. Erwin
got another reproving look from his step
father, who was trying to keep step with the
stride Of huge Prince Bismarck. Noticing
Baron Lutz's glance aside, the ''Iron Chancel-
lor's'' keen blue eyes lit for a moment on
covering Erwin. After they had passed us
Erwin whispered to me: Bismarck looked
me full in the face. | felt like sinking through
the floor"
Now B~urgomaster Ehrhardt Joined us.
Lifting a reproving finger to Erwin he said:
Ellis Excellency, the Prime Minister, told me
he had not given you permission to come here.
You and your comrades must go home at
once. AS for you, Erwin, you had better tell
your mother what you have done, before His
Excellency ~returnes from the palace"
Though Erwin was rather anxious, he yet
shared my elation at our view Of royalties,
statesmen and generals at close range. We
would have felt even more elated had we
known that what we had seen was the last