THE GERMAN THRONE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 257, 11 August 1933, Page 8

THE GERMAN THRONE

SOME POSSIBLE OCCUPANTS. HOHENZOLLERN CHANCES. The possibility, discussed from time to time; in news dispatches, that Germany may return to a monarchial Idrm of government draws attention to the men who may be considered as contenders for the throne, says the “New York Times.” Several princes of the nation have been mentioned. Prominent among them are certain of the Hohenzollerns; August Wilhelm, fourth son of the former Kaiser; the former Crown Prince, Ids brother Eitel Friedrich and. his sons Wilhelm and Louis Ferdinand. The Prince of Hesse’s marriage to an Italian princess makes him, in view of the recent German-Italian accord, a favoured 'candidate. The powerful /house of Wittelbach is represented by former Crown Prince Rupprecht, of Bavaria. Some months, ago an organisation was formed in Germany called the “League of the Upright,” or “The battle ring of the monarchic movement in Germany.” It was devoted to the Hohenzollerns, and boldly announced its stand for restoration of the monarchy. This does not mean that the ex-Kaiser would be considered for the German throne if that were restored. The ex-Kaiser is seventy-four, and while he has expressed his desire to return to his fatherland the chances of his return to his former royal estate are remote. The Favourite. It is the prevailing belief that, of the Hohenzollerns, Prince August Wilhelm is the Nazi and Nationalist favourite for the throne. A year ago he. took the stump for Hitler and was elected a member of the Prussian Diet on the Nazi ticket. last autumn die aroused interest by a statement that the,“present situation does not admit; of a change in the existing form of the State.” However, it is not believed likely that he would reject an opportunity to become Emperor. His Nazi connections have brought threats cf disinheritance from his father. During the war August "Wilhelm, or “Auwi” as he is called won the Iron Gross for being among the first German officers to penetrate the fortifications at Antwerp. After the war ho took a position with an automobile firm then worked as a clerk in a Berlin bank, and won praise as an artist. In 1908 lie received the Degree of Doctor of Political Science from Strasbourg. former Crown Prince, Friedrich Wilhelm, is much in evidence in Berlin at present. At Rationalist and Nazi meetings he has been prominent, reviewing troops and receiving the cheers of the crowd. He has istated that lie never relinquished his rights to the throne. A year ago ho announced that he would vote for Hitler, abandoning liis attitude of political reserve for the first time since Hie war. Prince Wilhelm, eldest son of the ex-Crown Prince, was mentioned as a Nazi candidate until he married a commoner on June 3, and renounced his claims to; the throne. Princess Eitel Friedrich and Louis Ferdinand, one the brother, the other the second son of the ex-Crown. Prince, have also been considered as possible rulers in case of a restoration of the German monarchy. Prince Philip; a Nazi. The recent appearance of Prince Philip of Hesse in a Nazi uniform and his support of that party lends colour to the possibility that lie might be the Hitler candidate for tlio German throne. The Prince is now thirty-seven years old, the son of Prince Friedrich Charles and Margareta, the youngest sister of the ex-Kaiser. He is also the nephew of Landgrave Alexander bf Hesse. Prince Philip is of 'medium height, fair and stalwart, a typical outdoor man. He is fond of sport, especially motoring. He has been trained as an architect and engineer with a record of beautiful buildings erected in his home city and elsewhere. In, the World War lie was a Lieutenant, first in the Hessian Dragoons, and then m the Prussian cavalry. In 1925 he married Princess Mafalda, daughter ol the Italian sovereigns in what was reputed to be a genuine love match. Since; then be lias resided, for the most part, in Italy and remained generally aloof from politics. Last September, the leader of the Bavarian Peasants’ Party demanded the restoration of the Kingdom of Bavaria. As Prince ,Rupprecht; is popular in his own land, it is likely that, if a kingdom were restored, he would become its sovereign. From that position to ruler of a new German Empire would not be such a. long step. Prince Rupprecht. Rupprecht Maria Luitpold Ferdinand was born in Munich forty-four years ago the eldest; sqn of King Ludwig ITT. and Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria-Eiste. He was educated at Munich and Berlin Universities, and at the age of seventeen became an officer in the Bavariami Army. In the World War lie was chief of the ( Sixth German Army, which took a prominent part in the fighting against the French at Vosges. From the beginning Rupprecht did not see how Germany could overcome the Allies and his attitude in this respect estranged him from the former Kaiser. He also had violent disagreements with Ludenclorff. Barred by the German revolution from succession to the throne of his fathers lie never became wholly reconciled to his fate and never formally relinquished his rights to the crown of the House of Wittelhach which had ruled Bavaria for more than seven centuries.