"But you know, Excellency, that you were reported to have lost something
like 120,000 men before Liege," it was suggested.
"That's three times as many as I had," he answered with the "winning
smile."
Gen. von Emmich will talk quite freely about anything but himself and
military matters, but a few odds and ends were snapped up. It was
interesting to learn that he was in Liege only a day and a half, then
pushed on ahead in the direction of Namur with the bulk of his corps,
leaving only his heavy artillery behind to finish up the remaining
forts. He did not even know that Zeppelins had taken part in the
bombardment of these forts until he heard about it afterward. Later he
turned up at Mons and had a hand in beating the British or expediting
their strategic retreat, according to the point of view. His subsequent
movements and present whereabouts are interesting, but would never pass
the German censor.
"Did you feel proud at being selected to lead the way into Belgium,
Excellency?" I inquired.
"Yes, of course I did," he replied.
"Would you like to lead your corps into England?" For just an instant
what looked very much like the light of battle was in his eye.
"I will go anywhere I am ordered to go--anywhere," he replied with
smiling emphasis.
I was interested to discover that the staff of the Nth Army Corps had
also been racking its brains about quite other than tactical problems
when Gen.
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