GERMAN REFERENDUM

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 238, 22 June 1926, Page 7

GERMAN REFERENDUM

PROPOSAL TO CONFISCATE EX-RULERS’ PROPERTY DEFEATED MAJORITY OF ELECTORS ABSTAIN ‘ FROM VOTING MANY AFRAID TO GO TO BOOTHS The proposal to confiscate the properties of the former rulers of Germany was lost at the referendum, only sixteen million votes being cast, whereas at least nineteen millions were necessary to carry the proposal. Monarchists, however, by terrorist tactics, prevented many voters going to the booths. The ex-Kaiser displayed his anxiety by sitting up until 2 a.m. to hear the latest results.

By Telegraph.— Ass<lcla.tion Copyright.

(Rec. June 21, 9.40 p.m.) Berlin, June 21.

‘ At least nineteen million votes were necessary to carry the referendum in favour of confiscation of the ex-rulers’ property without compensation, Whereas it is estimated that only sixteen million voted The proposal was therefore defeated. Thirty-five per cent, of the electorate voted yes; sixty per cent, abstained from voting, and the remaining five per cent, voted either no or invalidly. Nearly half of the electorate in Berlin voted for confiscation, and a similar proportion in other large cities, including President Hindenburg’s town, Hanover, but in the country districts, where the Nationalists hold sway, the populace obeyed the Nationalist leaders’ summons to abstain from voting. It is noteworthy that not a single Cabinet member entered a booth. Notwithstanding the excitement engendered there were no serious disorders, beyond minor clashes in Berlin and elsewhere among small factions.—Reuter. OFFICIAL FIGURES (Rec. June 21, 8.55 p.m.) Berlin, June 21. The official figures of the referendum 1ire:—14,889,703 for confiscation and 542,311 against.—Reuter. EX-KAISER SITS UP TO HEAR RESULT MONARCHISTS’ REIGN OF TERRORISM (Rec. June 21, 7115 p.m.) Berlin, June 21. The ex-Kaiser Wilhelm, at Doorn, sat np until 2 o’clock in the morning to hear the latest results of the referendum telephoned from Berlin. The public of Germany learnt the progress of the voting by means of electric sky signs, also special issues of newspapers every half-hour, till it was clear at midnight that expropriation has been defeated Heavy rain damped the spirits of the rival demonstrators, but - did not materially decrease the voting. The Communists and Socialists left' nothing to chance. Voters who could not walk

were carried to the polls on stretchers. There was a reign of terrorism in many country districts, however, Monarchist agents attending the booths and taking down the names of voters, openly stating that they would be severely dealt with later. The worst disturbances were at Ammendorf, near Halle, where in a free fight between Communists and Radicals shots were fired. Twenty were injured. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A BITTER CAMPAIGN MONARCHISTS’ CLEVER RUSE (Rec. June 21, 9.40 p.m.) Landon, .June 21. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” states that there were no disturbances because it takes two to make a quarrel. Only one side appeared in strength at the booths, the opponents of confiscation realising that abstention was as effective as a vote. Nevertheless, beneath the surface there was an ominous under-current of feeling. The campaign was so bitter that it bordered on childishness. Neither side showed the slightest restraint, but issued the most extravagant leaflets and caricatures beyond the limits of decency. Precautionary lorry-loads of police followed the Communist processions, the chief feature of which was a man grotesquely caricaturing the ex-Kaiser, in imitation ermine robe, crown, and sceptre, and exaggerated moustache, li&ranguing the crowds with ribald Speeches, in burlesque of the ex-Kai-ser’s former bombast.

On the other band the Monarchists cleverly distributed last-minute leaflets purporting to emanate from the Socialists, worded to resemble the most virulent Red pamphlets, describing the princes as abandoned creatures whose property ought to be confiscated, and adding the popular war cry, “Not a penny for the princes,” but misleadingly finishing, “Therefore vote Nein,” thereby hoping to delude the ignorant into voting against under the belief that they were supporting confiscation. The Monarchists also announced that anti-confiscationists must not vote, thereby intimidating many employees of Monarchist firms.. The employees feared that if thev went to the polls it would be known that they voted for confiscation, although the ballot was supposedly secret.—“ The Times.”