PLOTTERS AT WORK.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 116, 2 May 1919, Page 2

PLOTTERS AT WORK.

REPLACING THE KAISER

STRENUOUS EFFORTS MADE.

There efttt ba no doubt that the movement in Germaaiy to replace William of HchetizoJJei'ti on ifiie tlh'rotie is developing, and that thp intrigue /will Hot cease- to be, toduoaa to negligible proportions* until the Kaiser is assigned a safer residence than Holland and a more adequate guard than the amiable Count Bentin.ck and six Dutch gendarmes (writes the Amsterdam correspondent pf Hhe “Daily Express”). While the AHies aiv discussing whether the Kaiseil is to be hanged ■ or only shot, and seem to be unable to settle this momentous quasitioi), the Kaiser’s supporters in G crip any are busy. Cleverly enough, and they take advantage of the numerous failures of the Socialist Government tb drive into, German, heads the idea that “after all the Kaiser is not so bad if you compare what he did before the war with what tour Red blunders arai doing now.’’ Preposterous as the idea is, it is making considerable' headway, and there are signs that the Kaiser is slowly regaining some sort of popularity. All the non-Socialist papers now refer to him, not as ‘‘the exKaiser,” but as “Kaiser Wilhelm.” Addresses of sympathy have been circulated al over Germany for signature, and sent to Amerongen on William’s birthday, which W’as formerly a German national holiday. The “Deutsche Tageszeitung” is starting an agitation for the creation of a “Hohenaollern State,” All this seems to show that very many people in Germany, after having had a taste of republicanism are already sick of it. The chief counts against the Kaiser were, defeat and his Hight to Holland. Every one—excepting, of ciourse, tflie Socialists —is now trying to convince the world that his fligfit was inspired only by the loftiest patriotism, while the “Entente fable” of Germany’s defeat has long since been disposed of by tSio Socialist Govetumeni themselves. WIPING THE SLATE.

"The Kaiser did nob floe to Holland,” declare the propaganda makers, “but only retired to a neutral country, because he believed, witfir Hindenburg, Groener, Self, and Prince, Max, that this was the best way to serve his country.” Credulous Germans are anxious to believe them, and so the imperial slate seems to have been wiped clean once more.

Public Opinion is flhuss being slowly prepared for a possible restoration of the. Hohcuzollerns. There are two obstacles to overcome—the’ army and tfire workers—but an overwhelming majo.. ,y >of the army are really pro-Kaiscr, and there is no telling how much sincerity and firmness there is in Labour’s present denunciation of the imperialism which they served with such amazing devotion .only a few months ago. Therefore, as long.as the Kaiser is fermitted to remain within twenty miles of the German, frontier, the Gorman Republic is not safe-.

WiHliam himself may be sick, dejected, and discouraged. He has the best reason in the world forremaining quiet just at present, for 'he knows (tliat the majority of Hollanders are only awaiting a suitable opportunity to have, him expelled. Even if he does nothing, however, hfi-s presence so near is the best encouragement to his supporters in their work.

THE NEW CRUSADERS. 1 Auobher form »of propaganda mudli in favour in Geitaany is being conducted by men dressed as luo-nks, who visit the smaller I villages as “Crusaders of the Imperial Gospel.” Several “monks” recently visited farmers in Oldenburg known to be pioiLS, and impressed on them and their families that Germany could only be saved j by the return of ths. Holieiizollerns.. > There are many of these monks about Germany, who preadh all tihe more eloquently, as they are handj nomely paid by the ‘“Bund der i Kaise-rtreuen” (Bond of Those baithful to the' Emperor). Their propaganda is slow, uphill work, but effective. It impresses the ■ farmers, and* still more their wives. I They say: “Compare Germany under William and Gennanv under Ebert.”

They make terrific predictions in ease a Kaiser does not return to the German throne, such as bad crops, foreign occupation, and epidemics, wnile 1 rev say thmgs will adjust i hcmsolves prosperously ollim-wU ■. Musi- of them are wise enough not to orr ae.h openly for )) illiam himself. but merely for 'a Kaise.v.” Their ehi.cf argument is always that Germany nmst 1 ( >. si rung, respected, am! feared. This kind <>f talk appeals to every G'-.inian. whatever ■ns party.

m’YTHEPOOi; KAISER.” 1 Many Hollanders and other neutrals who have recentlv visited Germany note a substantial change in' the people’s attitude towards their fornr. r monarch. A wave, of pity is passing 01 er the land. “Our poor Kai:s'er_: .«<• Hiave. {been unfair to 'him,” fis a. general saying. If the Kaiser were a captive in St. Helena or an.v where else outside Europe, i>mler tlhe guard of Allied cruisers, this sudden pity might be viewed with equanimity, but it is' only on,. ln;ur’ s nni ),_ v motor-ear from his former realm. Kaiserism will not b • dead in Germany until the head of the Hoheijzollerns is sent, to some mditarj island in some ilistant part of the world. His' German partisans want Amenougeu to be his isle of Elba, and are working hard to secure (firat- his sojourn th..r- shall not be too long.