PRINCE LOUIS OF BATTENBERG.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144525, 9 November 1914, Page 5

PRINCE LOUIS OF BATTENBERG.

A particularly interesting story at the present juncture concerning i'rincc Loins of Batteiiberg is that, toid by a well-known Dunedin gentleman, 'this gentleman was returning tnun England on the Oroya some years ago. and ns ho is intensely interested m all military and naval a (fairs, and, in fact, saw a good deal of active service in the Boer war., the information that the quartermaster on the Oroya was a Koval Navy Deserve man, and a sailor of more than average intelligence at that, attracted the Onncdin gentleman to several times engage him m convorisation. The quartermaster, in the course of one ot his stories, said that he bad served under J’rince Louis of Battenhcrg when the prince was a junior officer, and related a remarkable incident in connection therewith. The ox-navy map said that a number of the sailors used to gibe amongst themselves—this, remember, some years ago —at their German officer, and that finally the knowledge of what was being said about him ramc-to the Prince’s ears. The Prince thereupon look the opportunity to go down amongst the sailors, looking lor the man wiio had sinned the rumour, and on locating the offender ordered him to take off his coat, the Prince, meanwhile, removing his. "Wo are now man to man,” then said the officer, and proceeded to walk into his opponent in a very effective style. ‘Til teach you to call me a. German again,“ remarked the Prince, as ho cooUy put on his coat again and walked off' having vindicated his right to be called a Britisher hy the manner in which he hail wielded his fists, flic hallmark of the true Britisher. The Oroya's quartermaster said the young officer was fairly popular before, hut. that after the above little exploit the men would have done anything for him and followed him anywhere. The quartermaster concluded hy stating that the Priimo was no figurehead either—that, in fact, •’lie knew" hi.s job.’’ The Prince, however, for so mo reason or other, has evidently never been able to remove the impression in some quarters that he is still a German at heart, and that rumour has now nrncticallv forced him to retire from his position as First Ivord of the Admiralty.