BALLOT TO DECIDE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 June 1926, Page 5

BALLOT TO DECIDE

BIG GERMAN ISSUE.

EX-ROYAL PROPERTY

REPUBLIC v. MONARCHY.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT BERLIN, June 17.

All Germany is on the tip-toe of expectation in view of the momentous referendum to be taken on Sunday on the question of the confiscation or otherwise of the vast and valuable properties claimed by the ex-Kaiser. The ballot paper is a simple document requiring a cross or a circle for or against. Whichever side wins what is virtually a conflict of the Republic versus the Monarchy, will enormously strengthen its political position. Tho campaign on behalf of confiscation has been vigorously carried on, but though no voice has been officially raised on behalf of the Doom exile, it is nevertheless difficult to forecast the result. Twenty millions at least must vote in favour of confiscation in order to carry the day.' That the ex-Kaiser will be reduced to beggary even if confiscation is carried, is, of course, nonsense. He will be given a pension, together with some property which he unquestionably owns. He will remain a rich man, as will also his cxRoyal colleagues. The ex-Kaiser at present receives the equivalent of £SOO weekly from the Republic, while the furniture, plate and objects of art which are lavish at the Doom residence, represent a substantial fortune.

He received £50,000 from one book, and is asking £60,000 for the manuscript he has just completed. He remains extraordinarily extravagant, and is scarcely able to balance his budget. The ballot concerns ninety castles, six hundred thousand acres of land, and £50,000,000 in money.