PUBLIC FERMENT

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 237, 21 June 1926, Page 7

PUBLIC FERMENT

GERMAN REFERENDUM MUCH ANXIOUS EXCITED CONJECTURE VOTE FOR CONFISCATION WOULD LEAD TO CHAOS The referendum, which was to be taken in Germany yesterday, on tlie question of confiscation or otherwise of the vast and valuable properties claimed by the ex-Kaiser, was the cause of public ferment up to the last moment. The Foreign Minister ridicules the suggestion that it is a monarchy v. republic struggle. By Telegra-Ph.—Press Association Copyright. (Rec. June 20, 5.5 p.m.). Britain, June 19. Whether the Government barque will be able successfully to negotiate the rapids of the next few days’ events is at present the topic of anxious excited conjecture with the approach of the referendum, which will be taken tomorrow on tlie subject of the disproportion of ex-Royalties. The public ferment is being ventilated at monster demonstrations, where prominence is given to banners which suggest that the protagonists interpret the referendum as marking a struggle of the monarchy versus the republic. Dr. Stresemann (Minister of Foreign Affairs) interviewed, ridiculed such a contention, but pointed out that whereas the plebiscite was a move by Socialists and Communists in favour of dispossession of the former rulers without compensation, the Government, on the other hand, had prepared a compromise Dill, making a distinct difference between State and private pr<> perty, leaving the ex-rulers a certain amount of private property. Governmental circles are confident that the requisite 19,500,000 votes will not be obtained in favour of confiscation, though, should their calculations be falsified, the consequences will be most disastrous, since President Hindenburg and the Government will resign. Further that the Federal States, notably Bavaria, will refuse to carry out confiscation, and the result will be chaos.—Retucr.