EX-RULERS’ PROPERTY

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1926, Page 5

EX-RULERS’ PROPERTY

VITAL PLEBISCITE DISPOSSESSION ISSUE. CHAOS IN THE MAKING. (Received 9.40 a.m.) BERLIN, Juno 19. Whether the Government barque will bo able successfully to negotiate- the rapids of the next few days' events is at present the topic of anxious, excited conjecture, with the approach of the referendum which will bo taken tomorI row on the subject of dispropriation of ox-rulers. Public ferment is being ventilated at monster demonstrations, at which prominence is given to banners which SPJjgPft- that the protagonists interpret the referendum as marking a struggle of Monarchy versus Republic. Dr Stresemann, interviewed ridiculed such a contention, hut pointed out that, whereas the plebiscite was a move by the Socialists and Communists in favour of dispossession of former rulers i without compensation, the Government on the other hand had prepared a compromise bill making a distinct difference between State and private property. Government circles are confident that the requisite 19,500,000 votes will not be obtained in favour of confiscation. Should these calculations be falsified the consequences will be most disasterous, since President Hindenburg and the Government will resign. Further than that, the Federal states, notably Bavaria, will refuse to carry out eonfls-{ cation, and the result will be chaos.— j Reuter.

TWENTY DYNASTIES.FINANCIALLY INVOLVED. , A TERRIBLE DEMONSTRATION. (Received 11.8 a.m.) BERLIN, June 20. The financial fate of the Hohenzollerns and 19 other German dynasties will be decided today. Property valued at £200,000,000 is at stake. Twenty million “ayes” will be need!ed if Wilhelm and the others are to jbe deprived of patrimonies. It is expected that the general result of the voting will be known at midnight, but formal proclamation of the exact figures will not be possible for weeks, as votes in 68,000 centres must be checked. .The plebiscite will cost the Reichstag £75,000, Propaganda on both sides is becoming more vigorous hour-, A demonstration in Berlin presented a terrible ' sight. Thousands of war victims were wheeled in handcarts or limped on crutches, accompanied by giant megaphones chanting; “Not a penny for Princes.” The authorities are taking extraordinary measures to prevent disturbances. —A. and N.Z.