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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1919)
THE DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM, OREGON. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1919. Kaiser Cursed Empress Zita of Austria and Swore His Vengeance Like a True Hohenzollern That He Was BY CAPTAIX KAKL SCBWARZK0FFEN (Attached to Kaiser 'a personal staff) Schiedemann the Socialist Wires Him: "I and My Colleagues Will Only Meet You in Civilian Attire." "I Will Not Meet Rebels," the Kaiser Would Have Wired, But Enrljr in October I saw signs of the rapidly approaching downfall of our Monarchy, Our kaiser himself had un willingly been forced to face the sad reality even earlier The truth is that ire who were near him had become con vinecd of the coming calamity when His Majesty, against the council of his war chiefs, went to the Krupps works and addressed the workingmcn there, ap pealing to them in pitiful and pathetic tones to stand by him a little longer, Everyone in the inner circle admitted at th&t time that he had committed me greaiesi incucai oiunuer in nis me. For his appeal t0 the workers of Krupps shawed him in the eyes- of liis subjects as a mere, yea, a desperate mortal and that his much vaunted pre tense to divine partnership had beei) a gross imposition upon tne Gorman people, I saw every day military chiefs of eur kaiser visit him and leave with sad nd set faces. I heard many conversa tions between these chiefs ana Dctween them and the kaiser and from all these I could not help becoming convinced that eventful days were at hand. Then came the collepse of Bulgaria; It put the finishing touch to the already criti cal situation. The doom of the Hohcn- zollerns were signed I General Ludondorff offered his arm to any attempt against her father's the kaiser and together they mounted thority, the steps of the Sehloss. Prince Max and von Borg walked together while I was the last in line with the Emperor's valise in my hand. The Duchess, the Emperor's daughter greeted him at the head of the stairs. Then accompanied by Prince Msx, Gen eral Ludendorff and von Berg, he en tered his writing room, while J. answer ed a few questions put to me excitedly by tho Dutchess . Commoners Invited to Imperial Court They were, closeted there nearly two hours. Finally the bell rang, aud 1 responded. On entering the room I real ized that weighty subjects had "been discussed. I waa ordered to summon the court stenographers. In about five min utes I returned with two of them, one a woman, the private secretary of the Duchess, the other, a young man, tho private secretary of the Court Chamber lain. While Prince Max dictated to the lady secretary Herr von Berg busied himself with the male secretary; the kaiser sat silent and stonelike. General Ludendorff then dictated to me short telegrams and ordered me to send them at once to Herr SehiodemE-nn, Herr Haase and Herr Elsman, summoning Scarcely a week after the collapse of them to come at once to Wilhelmshoe Bulgaria I received orders from the kaiser to hold myself in readiness to accompany his to Wilhelmshoe. I waa in great suspense during those days. The Sad Journey to Wilhelmshoe. Then finally the day came Accom panied by Ludendorff, Prince Max, and Ton Borg, the Chief of the Imperial Civil Staff, we arrived at AWilttoinisuoe. I personally attended upon the kciser during all these days. During the journey woro an undresg uniform of a colonel of the Death's Head Hussars. Never in my life hu-d I seen him so sad. Ho was pale and very haggard and worn. DDuring the journey he smoked heavily and drank mor wine thcn usual. He was nervoua but never gave way to anger. Once looking out of the window he remarked to me, "What & beautiful iew, nature i9 serene." Then after, a M ; , - t. I 1 t. .. 1 (ew nuiiuiuB pause , uv ehuu, ..ami tu himself "There are times whenhu- , nso beings wish they might emulate 1 tho serenity of nature." What did he meant Did he mean that he wished that ho himself did not feel the agonies ef those trying dayst It W68 true. The Tory color of hig sad face betrayed his Bufferings. The Emperor's Daughter Greets Him. When the train arrived at the stttion the kaiser walked -out of tho car, fol lowed by General Ludendorff, Princo on Berg aud myself. On the pisiform w well reBresenled 1 mmdtmm for a council. I knew thon that tho end was in sight. Never before in the his tory of our Fatherland hr.d untitled per sons belonging to the Boichstag been summoned to an Imperiar council! There was something wrongjand some thing was wrong as I soon witnessed. I at once attended to the sending or tho messages. The kaiser retired to hia suite whilo other members of the coun cil remained in the kaiser's smoking room. The Duchess Becomes Hysterical. At six or nearabouts tho Duchess came to my sitting-room and told me that her father the emperor was uncon- solable. She herself was nystoricnl. Sho walked back and forth in my room, murmuring something unaudible. Occas gionally she raised her voice and cried loudly. "Oh, my God! my Godl What is going to happen to us all. She then therw herself in "a chair and after gaz ing into space for a few minutes she again burst into tears. I was annoyed and felt ashamed at her domeanor. I had known her from her childhood and I had never seen her bo abject in be havior. She had always been defiant. During former conversations I- had heard her proclaim a defiant attitude whenever revolution was mentioned and she had always told me that whatever happened the Monsrchy could tako care of itself and .would strike to the dust ii i'tim lii.Jriii -it.k iisfni Copyright rcitiatcrcd, 1918 Would Yob Run on a Flat Tire? Suppose your front tire went flat ten miles from home. . . 1f ou wuold not bang and bump along after you knew that every turn of the wheel was tearing the life out of the casing. " : Why not be as reasonable about your battery? w The penalty for mistreating a battery is just as sure as for abusing a tire. The care is just as easy. Drive into our Service Station and let us tell you just how easy it is. Bring your jug, we have installed our own water still, insuring an ample supply of pure water at all times. WE CALL AND DELIVER YOUR BATTERY. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR SERVICE CAR. Auto Electric Shop wr tm r 418 Court St - - Degge & BorreH .V. "id Phone 203 "our royal highness has heard bad news?" I asked. She had scarcely dried her eyes when the Countess Eldorff entered the room hurriedly. The Duchess Jumped on her feet aud made an effort to appear that she was still cool and confident. Then she turned and said to me, "Yes, we have heard much bad news. Our allies have turned traitors, but remember, they will yet receive the traitors' re ward." The Countess of Eldorff is a very cool and well balanced woman end I ob served that she did not join enthusiasti cally with the Duchess in her cnudish threat. She simply bowed, but made no reply. Then addressing the Duchess she in formed her that the Empress wished her to accompany her to her father's preg ence. The Duchess left immediately, while the Countess remained in the room with me. I was well acquainted with the Countess as in the paBt years there had been many occasions when we had exchanged confidences. I asked her if it were true that the kaiser had come to Wilhelmshoe with especially bad news. She was very angry vuwarcls Austria. So angry that sho could hardly containi herself. Sho said that the cm- poror and his staff had received direct notice from Vienna to the effect that Austria was about to sue. for peace separately from Germany. The emperor had fiually realized that the Central Alliance was about to go to pieces and that Germany's fate hung by 8. hair. Blames Tne Austrian impress. The trcaeherv of the Empress of Austria is in, the bottom of all thisl' she exclaimed. "Tho Empress of Aus tria hated Germany. From the beginn ing she wa8 pro-ally and at Inst she nas brought about our ruin," sne saia. I could not helD observing the untir ing efficiency of our official informs, tion bureau. During the last two months or so the authorities had been giving out. news reeardincr the coming treach ery of our allies and preparing the Ger man public to believe that our coming collapse should.be attributed more to tho various treacheries 01 our lurmer allies than to the military and political blunders of our own, government and general staff. . Tho Countess of Eldorff 's political vision did not extend beyond the nar row intrigues of the Palace and so 1 did not question her reasonings. "It was the Empress of Austria, that low Bohemian, wh0 induced Tsar Fer dinand to surrender so that the road would be open for the allied armies to Austrian territory,." she told me ser iously. ,.x The Austrian Empress writes a Bitter Letter. ... She assorted that two days before eomiug t0 Wilhelmshoe the kaiser had received a letter from the Austrian Em proBS, telling him contemptuously that sho herself had induced Tsar Ferdinand to surrender. Then she offered me a court bulletin in which was printed what purported to bo a copy of the Austrian Empress's letter to the kaiser. I read the would be letter which I be lieve was forged by our political de partment. One sentence which I give be low is from memory, but I believe is very near to the text. "Our only chance to preserve the dynasty (the Austro-Hungarian dyn asty) is an early peace at any prico. And yet I fear that our chance Is only one per cent. But Karl and 1 aie pre pared for the. worst ana win reecive whet is in store for us without a mur mur. However, I should like to have you know that I myself, made every ef fort to induce Ferdinand to make peace with your enemies. Knowing what your twenty-five years of rule had meant and what it would.havc meant tor Karl and I had you been successful against your enemies we resign ourselves to fate with the satisfaction that aftcrus you. too, will be no more." CountoBs Eldorff then related to me how the kaiser had shown the letter of Empress Zita to hjg daughter Louisa. The part of the letter that had infuriat ed the kaiser tho most was her boast ing that she had succeeded in negotiat ing with Ferdinand in spite of our sec ret agents in the Bulgarian Court. On showing Zita's letter to his daughter the emperor had made this threat, ac cording to Countess Eldorff. The Kaiser's Hatred of Empress Zita. "Whatever misfortune may befall u, Louise, I assure you that I will have my revenge on that low traitress. It may be that I may even lose my throne, but I swear that that woman will come to me on her knees for mercy, and may God be her protector wsen that day comes, for she will not have mercy from mi. when she snd her idlotie nus- band are once in my power. Emperor mun Become a iiuzeu. Towards ten o'clock thta ntgnt l re ceived Herr Schiedemann 's answer to Ludendorff in reply t0 hi" telegrams, inviting Schcidcmann, Herr Hacse and Herr Elsman, and read it to the gener al myself. It said: "My colleagues and I desire that the emperor should meet ns in civilian at tire. We can not recognize any military authority, and do not wish to meet any members of the Imperial military staff. We desire to meet the emperor as a i.ivilifMl" Ludendorff then walked to Prince Mems if ilntomolbile n KM Tl OUR DISPLAY WAS COMPLETE FROM THE LOWEST PRICED UTILITY CAR TO THE HUDSON SUPER-SIX AND ALSO SHOWING THE TRUCK AN DTRACTOR FOR THE FARMER. IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO SEE US AT THE SHOW, COME TO OUR SALESROOM AND SEE OUR LINE. IT INCLUDES: Hudson Cars Essex Cars Haynes Cars Ford Cars Fordson Tractors Ford Trucks G. M. C. Trucks SERVICE WE HAVE LISTED SERVICE LAST. BUT IT COMES FIRST WITH US. OUR SERVICE ON FORD SON TRACTORS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN. WE WOULD APPRECIATE A CALL FROM YOU. ' " ' V ICR ID ros. 260 N. High Street Valley Motor Co. ELBERT THOMPSON, Mgr. 227 State Street 1995 PHONES 442 WE ARE DISTRIBUTORS FOR MARION AND POLK COUNTIES IN THE LINES, WE REPRESENT 3B8B8B gram to them, and throwing it on the table in front of them threw himself into a large arm chair and asked me for a light. Prince Max and von Berg then entered into a whispered conver sation while Ludendorff smoked his cigar, seemingly dead to everything .that was going on in the room. "Infernal Rebels." Finally Prince Max said the emper or must be shown this telegram. Luden dorff mado no reply and leaving Els toin at the door to .take my place I went to the Emperor's room and in formed his majesty that a reply from Schiedemann had been received and was awaiting his pleasure. In five'' minutes tho emporor, the empress and Louise, entered the room. Captain Elostein and I took our positions at the door, inside. I will forover remember the rage tho emperor exhibited on reading Schiodc mannjs telegram. He paced the floor up and flown and cursed the rebellious par ty. General Ludendorff, too, showed signs of resentment while von Borg and Max sat like two wax figures and I could not judge tho attitude they would take, at the last. Tho emperor motion ed to me, and tearing the .telegram from Schiedemann, he shouted, "I shall not receive the infernal rebels." Then he ordered me to send this telegram to Schiedemann: "I shall not receive rebels." The emperor then turned to Luden dorff who approved the telegram. I drew up the wire to Schiedemann and was about t0 leave the room with it when Prince Max arose and ordered me to stop. This was another' incident that had never before occurred in the pres ence of the emperor. Prince Jilax had directly countermanded the emperor 'b messenger. For a second or so I felt dazed. I had received my orders from the emperor himself, and my giving beed to Priikce Max's order not to pro ceed with it meant disobedience in my part towards the supreme head of the Fatherland. However, Prince Max sav ed me from the critical position. Ho addressed the emperor in cool snd stern words. He took the wire from my hand and tnrninff to the emperor said: "It is suicide to send this telegram to Schiedemann. Trouble is imminent. e. 1 vpctoacts hco eBcitaetiouov aoinnn Perhaps now, even now, it may De roo late, to avoid the catastrophe. Receive them on their own terms, otherwise I must withdraw from this eouncil." Prince Max Had the Whip Hand. Whereupon Ludendorff jumped on his feet but before he had time to open his mouth his eyes met Prince Max's who secinfd by this time ready to burst out with anger. The two regarded each other for a few 'ctonds and in the end Prince Max came out victorious.. For just then the I'U.t of Brunswick, the kaiser's son-in-law, wag announced. He had scarcely entered the room when Pronee Max again adrctsed tho empe or and in still sterner voice said: '' Wil helm, for God's sake do not send this telegiam." Then the kaiserin who had been sit ting silently at the table beside Gener' al Ludendorff. walked to the emperor and dropping to her knees begged her nusoana to listen to tne voice oi i-nnce Max and not, to send that wire to Schoid emann. Ludcudorf realized that the odds would be against him and so kfiplj Iub silence. Tho emperor seemed disgusted with tho kaisorin's demeanor, and raising her to her foot admonished her not to humiliate herself and him. before the nieii. He said: "Victoria, I am per fectly ready to listen to Princo Max." Thereupon the empress took her place beside her daughter as the dutchess said: "Let us hear what Prince Max has to say." Prince Max stood at the table and in a irrnvA vnic.ft Sftid: "I hnVO VCTV little t0 say." Then turning to the kais er ho pronounced these words as though he was a jl8 tnat waa fslvl"B sentence: . ' ' You must receive Herr Schcidcmann i.iu Alli.ntjii,'. Ynu must receive them on their terms, and if tho Socialists de sire to moot you lir civilian attire, you must receive them in civilian attire. And if thev do not wish to moot General Ludendorff, General Ludendorff must retire from the council. We are all standing on the verge of a precipice. i- about to break out. We are not certain yet that even now it may bo too late ana tnat we may u uc swept down the hill. We must lace the fact that our power i gone, we might ...Irani niir Mmnleto downfall a few days by resorting to civil war, but it would be only a lew uays. n thn llvnn nf hundreds of thousands moro and at the end we would all meet at the scaffold. Others have mot tliere before and we arc by no means immune. However if we play our earns in a more manly way we may avert tho worst. I advise you to receive Schcidcmann and his colleagues on their own terms." The telegram was sent t0 Schcideman telling him that he would be received on his own terms and two days later tho three Socialists arrived at Wilhclm- ssoo. (Next week tho writer will describo the dramatic meeting of Schiedemann and his colleagues with the kaiser and his party.) HOBSE RACING EEVTVED. if a meAt.inir of the officers of the Clackamas County Fair association held Friday afternoon at Oregon uity it was decided to resume the horse reing at the fair next fall. Last Septemner the . nt off the TMwram. and it was a disappointment to many of the lovers of racing. The date of the fair win De rwpicm- ber 24-27 inclusive. There will also be motorcycle ana au to races. . The admission will be rcaucca irom 50 cents to 25 eents. Senator Chamberlain inspected the ar .And .t Trnv X Y.. Mondav and snokr three Monday night on the subject of Harold H. Smith After Nearly Two Years In Army Returns The family and friends of Harold H, Bm'ith ro rejoicing over his re cent return homo after -nearly two years service in the TJ. S. navy. Har old was one of the first Salem boys to enter the service, enlisting in April ilU7, and ibolng assigned to the bat tleship 8au Iiogo. I)uring his first years service tiho ship mado five trips to France an part of a epnvoy for trans ports. Most of the winter of IBIS thoy operated from Halifax, having iheeu dotaiiled there soon after the great (IlisBstor, In May,- 1918, he and 'two others wore transferred to a mino lay er ami with a fleet of thoo vessels wont to the North Bca where thny op erated for many months. In that per iod thoy. helped ' to .lay ' uho greatest mil field in history, extending from the southern coast of Norway to tho north coast of Scotland, a distance of 240 mile After many dangerous ex porienccs as well as some pleasant mofi tho fleet returned to, American waters, having visited many of tho groa'ti cities and places of historic in terest in Europe. On tho trip homo they ran into a torrifie storm in which somo of tho dhipg were disabled and were compelled to swing south to the Arcs for coal and repairs. They cel ebrated Christmas on the islands, fin ally arriving at Fortress Monroe in tho fore part of January, m"ti ni iii i '-?'-f'ni: 'r "' in r Our Want Ads are the Bait that , catch the Big Fish Results Try one in to-morrow & paper JOURNAL WANT ADS PAY JOURNAL WANT ADS PAY I Just Received" Special Cylinder Oil Recommended by the Manufacturers of ELGIN AND FRANKLIN CARS As the best cylinder oil on the market TIRES We sell and recommend: GOODRICH TIRES MILLER TIRES GATES HALF SOLES. Phone 428 Monty's Tire Shop 154 South Commercial Street Tires Service Vulcanizing Max and von Berg and read the tele reconstruction.