EX-KAISER IN EXILE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 35, 5 November 1928, Page 11

EX-KAISER IN EXILE

PICTURE OF THE DAILY ROUND AT DOORN “WILL REMAIN THERE FOR EVER" CLEARING TREES AND READING United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) (Kec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. On the eve of thp tenth anniversary of the Armistice, a decade almost since the day he fled ignominiously from the retreating armies, particular interest attaches to an authentic account of the ex-Kaiser in exile in Doorn, telegraphed from Doorn to-day by a special representative of the “Evening Standard.” Youthful Bearing Admired. “When I saw him this man, who for forty years had been Emperor and has been in exile for a decade, I found it impossible not to admire his youthful bearing—a man who will be seventy in January. As he stoops over a long saw pushing It to and fro with his right hand, his withered arm resting on his hip, he is like he was in the old days when on horseback at. military re-’ views In the uniform of Commander-in-Chief, which has now been put away for ever. To-day he Is attired In breeches, knee-top boots of light brown leather, and beneath a dark reefer jacket he wears a white stock tie, held together In the middle by an enormous pearl pin. It is the typical dress of a country gentleman. He was bare-head-ed, and the wind blew through his white hair aud beard. Work in the Woods. “Each morning he drags his equerries and marshals down to the woods, where there is two hours’ work felling and sawing-logs. Already the ex-Kaiser largely by his own labour, has cleared a wide area on one side of the house on which he has planted a rosary, with appropriate inscriptions here and there, the name of the Emperor or Empress being freely used. To-day as he sawed . through a great fallen tree he smoked cigarette after cigarette, and from time to time gave a sharp command to the workmen assisting. It was the old Kaiser disguised in a reefer jacket. Equerries stood when he stood under the damp trees, which were dripping from a morning shower. There was a glimmering of the iron etiquette of the German Court. “The ex-Kaiser works steadily from 9.30 to 11.30, thence he returns to a frugal meal, of which he is most particular. In the afternoon he sits in the library and reads. During the evening he has an hour’s stroll in the village streets; the programme rarely changes. He mingles with the people of Doorn, who appear not even mildly interested. He likes fat, small children, to whom he talks in the sweet phrases of the German kindergarten. The children smile at the bearded, even benign figure. Most of the shopping is delivered, - but often he does it himself. He runs an account with the local bookshop, the proprietor of which has to procure all books of importance. “Doorn is not visible from the railway station and is a long distance from Utrecht, the nearest big town. The roads are winding and cobbled, and a 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 tourists at ten cents each. “Will Remain at Doorn for Ever.” “The house, containing fifty rooms, is the most depressing dwelling imaginable, and the gateway is most imposing. Inside is a small office where the ex-Kaiser’s watchman pounces out on all visitors. I am informed that the library is as complete as any other individual's library in the world. Everything which appears about himself is read with the greatest care.” “There is talk of his going elsewhere to reside. He never will. He will remain at Doorn for ever.”