WILHELM IN EXILE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1928, Page 3

WILHELM IN EXILE

AX INTIMATE PI (TUBE

(United Press Association—3y Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

BOX DOXY Nov. 3

On the eve of the tenth anniversary of the Armistice, a decade* almost si 11 to the day that be (led ignominiously from bis retreating armies, particular interest ait-aches to an authentic account of the ex-Kaiser in his •exile in Doom, which was telegraphed from Doom to-day by a- special representatives of the “Evening Standard.” who says:—

“When 'I saw him. this man. who for forty years has Moon an Emperor, and has been in exile for a decade. I found it impossible not to admire the youthful bearing ol this man. who will tie seventy in .January, as lie stoops over a long saw pushing it to and fro with liis right hand, his withered arm resting on the hip. He is like In* was in the old days when on horseback at inilitarv reviews in Ids uniform of Commandor-in-Chief. which has; now been put away lor ever To-dav lie is attired in breeches, knee-top hoots of light brown leather, and beneath a dark reefer jacket be wears a white stock tie. held together in the middle by an enormous pearl pin. It is the typical dress of a country gentleman. ITe was bareheaded, and Hie wind blew through Ids white hair and beard. Each morning lie drags his equerries and marshals down to the woods, where there are two hours of work in felling and sawing logs. Already. the ex-ls aiser. largely by bis own labour Ims cleared a wide area on one side of the house, on which lie ha" nlanted a rosary, with an anoropriate inscription here and there, the name of Kmneror and of Kenuress being freely used. To-dav as lie saw-d through a great fallen tree, lie smoked cigarette' after r-igaretiy. and from time to time gave a sharp command to the workmen assisting. It was the old Kaiser disguised in the rcclcr jacket. Ib-e equerries stood when he stood. Under the damp trees, which were dripping from a morning shower, there was a glimmering of the iron etiquette ol the German Court. The ex-kaiser works steadily from 9.30 a.in. to 11.30 a.in. Thence lie returns to a I'riwal meal, of which he is most particular. In lie' afternoon he sits in the library and reads. During the evening lie has one hour's stroll in the village streets. Tfi< programme rarely changes. He mingles with the people of Doom, who appear

not even to bo mildly in tores tod in him. lie likes tile fat. small children as they smile at his bearded and oven hen ion, figure. ]\ I ost of his shopping is delivered, but often he does.it. Ho runs an account with a local bookshop. The proprietor has to procure all the* books of importance. Doom is noi visible from the railway station, and it is a long distance from Utrecht, which is the nearest big town. The roads of Doom are winding, and a cobbled and crazy tramway threads the serpentine streets. There are two hotels and a shop, which derives a profit on pictures of the ex-Kaiser which are sold to American tourist: at ten cents each. The ex-Kaisers house, containing fifty rooms, is the most depressing one imaginable, am the gateway is most imposing. Inside there is a small office, where the ex-Kaiser’s watchman pounces out on all visitors. I’m informed that the library is its complete as any indivici util’s in the world. Everything which appears about himself is read with the greatest cure. There is talk of his going elsewhere to reside. Me will never remain at Doom forever!”