Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 282, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1913 — NON DRINKING KINGS [ARTICLE]

NON DRINKING KINGS

Many European Monarchs Practically Are Teetotalers. Ferdinand of Bulgaria Abandoned Alcoholic Btimulants and George V. of England Beldom Indulges— Beverage Used by Kaiser. < London. —King Ferdinand of Bulgaria, who has been figuring so importantly In the Balkans, gave up beer, wine and alcohol in any shape or form some years ag<? on the advice of his mother. The king is one of the least nervous among monarchs and keeps his temper In the most trying circumstances. It is due to his coolness that _he has been able to show to such a big advantage when dealing with the hot-headed races of the Balkan peninsula. King Ferdinand is an exception among the Balkan rulers. King Peter of Servia, the king of Greece, the king of Romania and the king of Montenegro all like their glass of wine. It was in December, 1908, that the kaiser became a confirmed teetotaler. His favorite drink is one invented by the kaiserin a few years ago. It consists of orange juice and lemon juice placed in the interior of a pineapple from which part of the fruit has been taken and the juice from it returned. The pineapple is then placed on ice and filled up with mineral water, the drink being transferred to a glass with a ladle. This drink is, however, only taken as a special treat, the more usual beverage being a mixture of the juice of three oranges and two lemons, with a ljttle sugar, mineral water being added. The kaiser has done everything he can to encourage temperance. He stated publicly a short time ago that “the next war will demand healthy

men; war calls for strong nerves, and victory will crown the colors of the nation which consumes the least alcohol.” Contrary to popular belief, the amount of beer drunk per head of population in Germany every year is considerably less than the amount drunk in EnglandVery little alcohol is drunk by the German royal family, though the kaiser is the only absolute teetotaler. When he is invited to dinner he drinks a special temperance drink that ' is supplied to his host in advance and is served to the emperor in champagne bottles. The reason for thlß is that according to strict etiquette alcoholic drinks would be banished from all dinners at which his majesty was present in the ordinary way. But the kaiser waives etiquette and drinks mock champagne while the guests are drinking the real variety. The crown prince, though not a strict teetotaler, has very strong views upon those who drink to excess. While a student at Bonn he gave offense to the university by protesting vigorously against the drinking of an exaggerated quantity of beer by the students. His sister, Princess Victoria, who was recently married with such pomp and ceremony, has an occasional glass of champagne, but when she is alone with her husband the beverages consumed on the royal table consist of anti-alcoholic drinks of various kinds. The late Rev. W. T. Stead wrote in the Review of Reviews when King George came to the throne of England: “George V. is probably the most abstemious king who has ever ascended the British throne. I do not say that he is a Good Templar, or a Rechabite, or a pledged teetotaler. But I do say, with confidence, on the authority of men who know him intimately, who have lived with him, dined with him, supped with him, that, although he sometimes takes a glass of wine, his usual beverages are distilled or mineral water and milk. There Is not a man more abstemious in the use of intoxicants among all the millions who own his sway.” The proof of the pudding is in the eating, or rather, one should say, the proof of the drinking is In the shooting. King George is one of the finest shots in England, a position which he could not hold if he were not practically a teetotaler. Thodgh Queen Alexandria Is fond of good wines, she always provides a specie’ Danish hot weather beverage for her guests during the summer months, it ia made of equal portions of the juices of oranges and crushed peaches, some slices of cucumber and a dash of ginger. The whole is flavored with maraschino, and when blended it is placed for a tew hours on ice Those who have tasted it say it is one of the most delightful summer drinks imaginable.