NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 19 June 1926, Page 5 (Supplement)

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

FATEFUL CERMAN VOTE.

EX-ETJLEIIS' l'itOl'EßTl'. Prt?ss Association—Copyright, Australian and iM.Z. Cable association. BERLIN, June 17. All Germany is on tne tip-too or expectation m view or' the momentous referendum to bo* taken on Sunclay on the question of the connsea~ tion, or otherwise cf the vast and valuaole properties claimed by the ex-ivaiser. 'riie ballot paper is a simple document requiring a cross, or a circle tor or against. Whichever side wins what is virtually a conflict of the Republic versus tire Monarchy, will enormously strengthen its political position. The 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 i. s 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, i,s, of course, nonsense. He: will be given a pension, together with som e property which lie unquestionably owns. He will remain a rich man, as will also his ex-Royal col-, leagues. The ex-l 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 midget.

The ballot concerns ninety castles, six hundred thousand acres of land, and £50,000,000 in money.