GERMAN THRONE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1933, Page 12

GERMAN THRONE

POSSIBLE OCCUPANTS. The possibility, discussed from time to time in news dispatches, that Germany may return to a monarchical form of government draws attention to the men who may be considered us contenders for tho 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 tho former Kaiser; the former Crown Prince, his 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. GermanItalian 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 Hohc.nzollerns. and boldly announced its stand for restoration of the monarchy. This does not moan that the ex-Kaiser would be considered for the German throne if that were re stored. The ex-Kaiser is 74, and while he has expressed his desire to return to his fatherland, the chances of his return to his former royal estate are remote.

It is the prevailing belief that, oi the Hohenzollerns, Prince August V ilhelm 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 he aroused interest by a statement that “tho 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 of. disinheritance from his father. During the war August Wilhelm, or “Auwi,” as he is called, won the Iron Cross for being among the first German officers to penetrate the fortifications at Antwerp. After tho war he took a postion with an automobile firm, then worked as a clerk in a Berlin bank, and won praise as an artist. In 190 S he received the Degree of Doctor of Political Science from Strasbourg. . Tho former Crown Prince, Friedrich Wilhelm, is much in evidence in Berlin at present. At Nationalist and Nazi meetings he has been prominent, reviewing troops and receiving the cheers of the crowd. He has stated that he never relinquished his rights to the throne. A year ago he announced that, he would vote for Hitler, abandoning his attitude of political reserve for the first time since the 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. Princes 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 he might be the Hitler candidate for the German throne. The Prince is now 37 years old, the son of Prince Friedrich Charles and Margareta, tho youngest sister of the ex-Kaiser. He is also the nephew of Landgrave Alexander of 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 he was a Lieutenant, first in the Hessian Dragoons, and then in the. Prussian cavalry. In 1925 he married Princess Mafalda, daughter of tho Italian sovereigns, in what was reputed to be a, genuine love match. Since then he has 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 the 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. Rupprecht Maria Luitpold Ferdinand was born in Munich forty-four years ago, the eldest son of King Ludwig HI and Maria Theresia, Archduchess of Austria-Esto. He was educated at Munich and Berlin Universities, and at the age of seventeen became an officer in the Bavarian Army. In the World War he 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 Ludendorff. Barred by the German revolution from succession to the throne of his fathers, he never became wholly reconciled to his fate, and never formally relinquished his rights to the crown of the House of Wittelbach, which had ruled Bavaria for more than seven centuries.