THE EX-KAISER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 22 September 1923, Page 11

THE EX-KAISER.

ROYALIST PLOTS DENIED In spite of the persistent report?: of German intrigues all is outwardly calm in the small, drowsy Dutch village, where the lumbering railway arriving thrice daily is quite an event, bringing people to the cottage win dows. No-one has yet penetrated the mystery of the plots now carried on behind the thick walls of the house of Doom. I took advantage of the opportunity afforded by the former Kaiser and his wife going out for a walk to ask him directly about the royalists’ activities to restore the House oi Hohenzollern in Germany writes Mrs. E. E. Wilkie, a Canadian journalist now in Holland. William hesitated a minute, looking ill at ease. His eyes were never steady for an instant, now searching my face, now scanning the horizon. He blurted out: “I ltnQW nothing about it. I know nothing about what is going on outside Holland. 1 know nothing and can say nothing, madame." In vain did I insist that it was said that these activities were going on in Holland, and even at Doom. The former Kaiser persisted that he knew nothing on the subject, and, raising his hat, with a polite bow, he said: “Good-day, Madame.’ Princess Hermine stood by quite nonplussed that anyone should dare address the former Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia in this manner. I found William Hohenzollern looking considerably older than the last time I had the opportunity of studying his face at close quarters. and heard him talk. It was just prior to his marriage when I watched him gardening in the grounds of of Doom. His bearing is still‘alert and erect, but alertness has gone from his fact, and he looks grey, sallow and warned. His hair is now snowwhite, but there are the same steelywhite eyes, restless, shifting, unreliable mirrors of the man’s impulsive, wayward and fickle mind. The former Prince is also staying at Doom at present. I met him on the road to the Foort railway station, driving in his usual reckless manner, going to bring von Fustenburg from the station. He was wearing his cap rakishly back on his head, and he looked the picture of health. He intends to stay here a few weeks, for it suits his plans much better, being an easier centre of activity than his bleak island in the Zuyder, which is almost ono day’s journey from any place in Holland. The Prince said that he did not wish to be interviewed, but when asked what he had to say about many rumuors regarding Royalist or his own reported intrigues, he replied h that if he had to answer or deny all reports circulated about the Hohenzollerns, himself in particular, he would have to run .a special bureau. When told that many people were expecting him to return to Germany soon he roared with laughter and called it “blotsing” (nonsense). The many visitors arriving at Doom House at present he explained by the fact that it was “r&isezeit” (holiday) time.