HINDENBURG A ROYALIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19349, 9 June 1926, Page 13

HINDENBURG A ROYALIST.

FRANK DECLARATION. FORMER RULERS' PROPERTY CONFISCATION OPPOSED. ATTACK ON PLEBISCITE. WILL RESIGN IF CARRIED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 10.35 p.m.) A. and N.Z.—Sun. LONDON. Jun«v 8. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily News says President Hindenburg made a statement in which he condemned the referendum which is to be taken on the question of confiscating without compensation the property of former German rulers. He declared that, he will resign if the proposal is carried. Hindenburg's intrusion in the matter has angered the Republicans and delighted the Monarchists. Even the latter did not expect such vehement language as that in which the President's statement was couched. After declaring that he must reserve his liberty of action as provided by the Constitution, until the result of the vote is known, Hindenburg said:— " I, who have spent my life in the service of the German Emperor, regard this plebiscite as a great injustice, • which shows a grave lack of traditional sentiment. It is an act of gross ingratitude. " From a legal aspect the proposal is a highly lamentable onslaught against the structure of the State, the firmest foundation of which should be respect for the law of property. It offends against the foundations of the law of morality, and it will undermine one of the pillars on which the State reposes and open the way which leads into a steep pit." A sensation has been created throughout Germany by the publication of a personal letter from Hindenburg frankly revealing his Royalist sympathies and opposing the confiscation of the estates of former rulers.