100 years ago today in Spokane: Insulting Kaiser led to Spokane man’s expulsion from German school

Stanley Mayall of Spokane had the distinction of having met three of the crowned heads of Europe — King George V of Great Britain, King Albert of Belgium and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.

Mayall was born in England, educated in Germany and now was the secretary-manager of the Armstrong Machinery Co. of Spokane.

He wrote about those royal meetings in a boisterous story for The Spokesman-Review’s Sunday magazine, the most notable being his fateful meeting with a young Kaiser Wilhelm, while still a prince.

Mayall was attending a German college and was in the school’s cadet corps. While he was out in the field, a number of German lancers on maneuver galloped up. One officer seemed to be held in awe by the others, and that officer asked the young Mayall, “Well, what thinkest thou of my uhians (lancers)?”

Mayall, who didn’t know the identity of the officer, replied with some flippancy that he thought they were “fairly good,” but if the occasion ever arose, he had better keep them out of the way of the British 17th Lancers.

The officer “flushed angrily,” turned to his officers and “made a remark at my expense” about youth and impertinence, and rode off.

Mayall was later informed that he had insulted the kaiser-to-be. He was upbraided by his college for his shameful impertinence. Two weeks later, he was expelled.