THE EX-KAISER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3382, 11 July 1927, Page 2

THE EX-KAISER.

The “Frontische Zeitung” publishes a lei ter that, it states, has been addressed by Herr Braun, the Prussian Premier, to Herr Marx, the Chancellor of the Reich, asking the Reichs Government’s intention with regard to the prolongation of the law lor the defence of the republic, which expires on 21st July next, especially paragraph 23, which contains a safeguard against the .return of. the former Kaiser to 'reside in Germany, states the Berlin correspondent of the, “San Francisco Chronicle.” Herr Braun refers to the recent Reichstag debate on home affairs, in which Herr von Kendell, the Minister of the Interior, after remarking that the question of the Kaiser’s return was not acute, added curtly that the law was being considered by the Ministry concerned, and would be considered later by the Cabinet.

After pointing out that with the expiration of the law, if no special measures were enacted, there would be no means of proceeding against movements or organisations with anti-republican aims, the Prussian Premier devotes the second half of his letter to the possibility of a return of the former Kaiser, to prevent which, in the opinion of the Prussian Government, steps should be taken, especially in view of the fact that the former ruling house had attached particular importance, in the negotiations for the property settlements, to the Schlcsa at Hamburg and der Holie being placed at the disposal of the former Kaiser as a place of residence if required. Whatever may be the truth with regard to Press rumours of preparations for a return, the Prussian Government thinks it absolutely necessary, in the interests of peace and public order, for some legislative safeguard to be provided. It prefers a prolongation of the law for the defence of the republic, ns considerable unrest might be caused by the introduction of fresh legislation, for which, indeed. Herr Braun significantly remarks, the necessary majority might not be forthcoming

The Prussian Government requests an en.rlv reply to its inquiries, so that if the Reich is not going to take the necessary measures it may have sufficient time io consider what steps it shall take itself with a.view to preventing the, return of the former Kaiser and King at any rate to Prussian territory.

The newspaper also publishes correspondence exchanged between the Secretary of State of the Prussian Premier’s department ami the plenipotentiary representative in Germany of the House of HnKcn/nllern. Colonel von Kleist. The Secretary of State calls attention lo Press reports to the effect that the wife of the former Kaiser, the Princess Fermine. intends to shortly occupy the Kaiser Wilhelm I. palace in the Untcr den Linden, left in possession of the Hoheiv/ollerns under the property settlements. He says ho has reason to believe that, these reports are not without foundation, and the Prussian Government has strong objections. Colonel von Kleist, in reply, admits that one or two rooms in the palace are being made -a little more habitable in order to provide Ibe wife of the former ruling Emperor with a pied a terro, bid no more, wherefore the Press reports are “entirely incorrect.”

A remarkable ease of artistic inspiration is being studied by Dr Osty, director of the Meta psychic Institute in Paris. The subject is Augustin Lesage, a coal miner, of Bnrbnre, in the Pas de Calais, who, though he has never had any 'artistic training, is painting pictures which art critics agree, display exceptional talent, Dosage disclaims nil credit for his work, declaring that be paints bis pictures automatically under the influence of a spirit which at times appears to take possession of him and to use him simnlv as an instrument.