EX-KAISER'S EXILE

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 7

EX-KAISER'S EXILE

AT DOORN FOR EVER.

Glamour Of Monarchy To Simple

Country Life.

DAILY WORK IN WOODS.

(Australian and X.Z. Press Association.) LONDON, November 4.

A representative of the "Evening Standard"' had an interview yesterday with the ex-Kaiser, in Doom, almost on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the day on which the fallen Emperor tied ignominiously from his retreating armies. "When I saw this man," he says, '"'who was for 40 years au Emperor and lias now been in exile for ten years, I found it impossible not to admire the youthful bearing of a man who will be 70 in January, as he stooped over a long saw, pushing it to and fro with his right hand, his withered arm resting on his hip as it did in the old days when he was on horseback at military reviews. "The uniform of a commander-in-chief has been put away for ever, and yesterday he was attired in breeches and knee-top boots of light brown leather, beneath a dark reefer jacket, and with a white stock tie held together in the middle by an enormous pearl pin. It was the typical dress of a country gentleman. "The ex-Kaiser was bareheaded and the wind blew through his white hair and beard. Each morning he drags hi» equerries and marshals down to the woods, where for two hours they work at felling and sawing logs. Already he has largely by his own labour cleared a wide area on one side of the house, on which he has planted a rosery with appropriate inscriptions here and there, on which the name 'Emperor and Empress' are freely used. "As he sawed through a great fallen tree yesterday he smoked cigarette after cigarette, and from time to time gave a sharp command to the workmen who were assisting. It was the old Kaiser disguised in a reefer jacket. The equerries stood when he stood under the damp trees in a dripping morning shower. There was a glimmering of the iron etiquette of the old German Court." The ex-Kaiser works steadily from 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. He then returns to a frugal meal, for he is very particular about his figure. In the afternoon he sits in his library and reads. In the evening for one hour he strolls in the village streets. This programme i 3 rarely changed. He mingles freely with the people of Doorn, who do not appear to be even mildly interested in him. He likes ta pat small children on the head, and to ! talk to them in the sweet phrases of the German kindergarten. The children smile at the bearded, even benign, figure. Doom is not visible from the railway station, and is a long distance from Utrecht, the nearest large town. The roads are winding and cobbled, and a crazy tramway threads the serpentine streets. The village has two hotels and a shop, which derives a profit from pictures of the ex-Kaiser, which are sold to American tourists at od each. The ex-Kaiser's house has 50 rooms, and is as depressing as it is possible to imagine. The gateway is most imposing- InsMe is a small office, where the ex-Kaiser's watchman pounces out oa all visitors. J. am informed that his library is as complete as any private individual's in the world. Everything that appears about himself is read with the greatest care - There is talk of his going elsewhere to reside, but he never will. He will remain in Doorn for ever.