GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 June 1926, Page 5

GERMANY

MONARCHY OR REPUBLIC REFERENDUM ISSUES CONFUSED (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association ) BERLIN, June 19. Whether the Government barque will he 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 be taken tomorrow on the subject of the (Impropriation of the ex-rulers. Public ferment is being ventilated at monster demonstrations where prominence is given to banners which suggest that the protagonists interpret tlie referendum as marking a struggle of the ‘Monarchy versus the Republic.

Herr Stresemann, interviewed, ridiculed such a contention; but pointed out that uvliereas the plebiscite was a move by tlie Socialists and Communists in favour of dispossession of former rulers without compensation, the Government, on the other hand, had prepared a compromise bill making a distinct difference between State and private property, leaving the ex-rulers a certain amount of private property. Govermental circles are confident that tlie requisite nineteen and a haT million votes will not be obtained in favour of confiscation, though should tlie calculations be falsified tlie consequences will be most disastrous, since Hindenberg and the Government will lesign; further than .that Federal States, notably Bavaria, will refuse to carry out the confiscation and tlie result will, be chaos. FINANCIAL FATE OF THE H 0 HENZOLLERN.S (Rec. 9.5 a.m.) BERLIN, June 20. The financial fate of tne Hohenzol-. lerens and nineteen other German dynasties will be decided to-day. Property valupd at £200,000,000 ia at stake. Twenty million ayes will be needed if Wilhelm and others are to be deprived of patrimonies. It is expected the general result of the voting will be known at midnight, but formal proclamation of tlie exact figures Will not be possible for weeks as voters; in 68,000 centres must be checked. The plebiscite will cost the Reichstag £75,000. Propaganda on both sides is becoming more vigorous hourly. 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. HOW THE VOTING IS GOING . 'Sun Cable.) BERLIN, June 20. Reports from all parts of the country indicate that confiscation is not obtaining the necessary support.