THE EXILE OF DOORN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE EXILE OF DOORN

How The Ex-Kaiser Lives

Vs he sits in lonely Doorn House, his home of exile, the aged ex-Kaiser’s mind is full of new campaigns. Phis time it is on a chess board. He took an intense interest in the matches played in Holland recently between the world s chess champion, Dr. Euwe. and his challenger, Dr. Alekhine. Sometimes the ex-monarch repeated their games on his own chessboard. Although he will be 79 on January 27, the ex-Kaiser still retains his vitality and much of his great physical strength. Thanks to his continued good health, he still follows a busy daily programme. He rises at about 7.30 every morning and breakfasts at 8.15. At 8.45 he reads a chapter of the Bible to the members of his staff, always concluding with a short prayer. Half an hour later he leaves by car for the estate of an old friend, Baron Bentinck, at Amerongen, to indulge in his favourite pastime, cutting wood. For these expeditions the ex-Kaiser takes with him on chilly mornings a flask of hot coffee, from which he takes an occasional drink while working. He returns to Doorn House at 11-30 and settles down to the task of studying the world’s news.

This work finished, he takes lunch with his <vife, Princess Hermine. Then he devotes an hour or so to study and science. After this, if the weather is fine, he goes for a walk in Doorn village. Dinner is served about seven, and is usually a simple affair. The ex-Kaiser is very abstemious, seldom drinking a glass of wine. The rest of the evening is devoted to reading or chess.