STORIES OF THE KAISER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 130, 23 May 1908, Page 4

STORIES OF THE KAISER.

The Kaiser's keen per.somil interest in international naval ali'airs has been strikingly dcmonslrat ed on several previous occasions. l'our yean; ago lie drew up wilh his own hand a pictorial and tabular comparison of the navies of Croat Britain and tlermany, ami issued the sketches and accompanying rtlalistiis to his Parliament. Shortly al Lt-rwaids 1,0 astonished the Herman Society of Naval Architects by appearing at their debates and delivering a length y ineisiw ,-peei li on the various types of naval architecture existing in the world'* navies. More remarkable s-lill. his Majosly presented copies of hi-, designs lo King Kdward and to Lord Selborni' at the Admiralty. The sketches bore explanatory note* regarding each vessel, and they evidenced the most careful observation and the keenest knowledge of detail. The Kniser ha* often made a sudden descent upon a ISritisli warship, nttire.l in his uniform of a British admiral, which lie always keeps ready for such emergencies aboard the llohenzollem. A good stor.v relates to one of these surprise visits. After a minute tour ot the ship lie e.nue to the sick quarters, where his attention was by a weird attenuated plant, with drooping, melancholy leaves. "Admiral,' 1 he linked. " what is that';" The botanical edu cation of the admiral and a long line of bis subordinates did hot run to a solu lion of tin' problem. The Kaiser wail- . cl patiently for an explanation, his feat ill res wearing a look of exaggerated anxiolv. At last, when almoliitely no explanation was forthcoming, he iiurs! •ml laughing and exclaimed: "Hurrah! at last I've found something that the Hrilish Navy doesn't know.''