KAISER MAY RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 14

KAISER MAY RETURN

RUMOURS IN GERMANY According to a report from Doom, the ex-Kaiser is considering the idea of leaving his place of exile, and of returning to Germany, says the Berlin correspondent of “The Daily Mail.” It is stated that he intends to live on an estate in the possession of the Hohenzollern family near Coburg. In Government circles here nothing is known of the ex-Kaiser’s intention, and the view is expressed that it is unlikely that he will return to Germany, where, in view of his peculiar temperament, his position would be far more difficult than that of the exCrown Prince, who carefully abstains from political activities. There is, however, nothing to prevent the return of the former monarch. The law for the protection of the Republic, which contained a clause forbidding the return of the ex-Kaiser, fell into abeyance last June and was not renewed. The ex-Kaiser has the right which every German possesses to live in Germany, and if he wants to he can return at any time. The neighbourhood of Coburg would undoubtedly be the most agreeable place in Germany for him and his wife, who, by his express command, is styled Kaiserine and Queen of Prussia. Coburg is a centre of Monarchists and the “Steel Helmets,” and other Nationalist organisations have a strong following in the town and in the countryside. The Duke of Coburg still plays an active part in the life of the town and is a patron of the Monarchist organisation. The ex-King of Bulgaria resides there, and the Grand Duke Cyril, who now styles himself Tsar of All the Russias, has a palace at Coburg. What the spirit of the townspeople is was sufficiently shown when Harry Domella passed himself off there as the eldest son of the Crown Prince and was received with the most servile homage. The Monarchists are, however, unlikely to encourage the ex-Kaiser to return. They prefer to have an exiled monarch to whom they can pathetically refer as a martyr than have a hot-headed candidate for the throne in Germany, where his activities might easily bring discredit on the Monarchist cause. Their hopes are centred on the exKaiser’s grandson, and the return of the exiled monarch would only embarrass them. It is therefore thought that, even if the ex-Kaiser had formed the idea of returning, the German Monarchists will do their utmost to prevent his carrying out his intention. Their difficulty is his wife. The Kaiserine Hermoine has never sat on a throne and is actively intriguing to get a taste of the real splendours of royalty.