EX-KAISER'S VAST RICHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1920, Page 9

EX-KAISER'S VAST RICHES.

MONEY AND PALACES. HARD BARGAIN WITH PRUSSIA. William Hohenzollern, of Amerongen, has driven' a stiff and astounding bargain with the Prussian which he was instrumental in ruining, wrote a special correspondent from Berlin in February. Indeed, it is not too much to say that the settlement arrived at between him and the Government of Prussia makes one of the most amazing documents of the time. Naturally, the Prussian Assembly will stir up a Storm about it, When Wilhelm ruled he was unpaid as Kaiser, but he had a civil list, of nearly a million, pounds as King of Prussia; be had estates and wealth in various forms which made him one of the wealthiest of the world's" sovereigns. When he fled, and when revolution broke out. the Prussian Government took possession of all the 'Royal property in order to protect. it and to settle its ownership. After more than a year of deliberation and long negotiation with William a decision has now been arrived at and embodied in a Bill. By, its terms the c.v-inonarch will diain a hundred million marks (in normal times £5,000.000) out of a nntbn already shoulder-deep in debt. This amount—and it is only one item —is (says the Bill) to be given him "in (ho general interest." in return f.ir his making over to the Prmsiaa State of certain lands, works of art, possessions and rights. STATE PAYS WILLIAM'S TAXES. That amount will be free from the proposed" capital levy charges. Prussia takes upon herself to pay that tax. If the Kaiser turns this amount "into Dutch money, at the present bad rate of exchange, lie will obtain enough to give him an income of about twenty thousand pounds per annum. But his civil list as King of Prussia actually continues till All Fools' Day of this year. That is to say, William is being paid at the rate of eighty-three thousand pounds nominal per month for 17 months after running away from his job ; Yet Prussia, as well aslCjermany. has' had its revolution. VAST WEALTH IN DEEDS, ETC. Next William kindly consents to "give up castles and lands which belong to the State." But ho retains as personal property, eight castles, 83 villas, many houses in Berlin, Potsdam, Kiel, and elsewhere, with forests here and there, and various kinds of property dotted up and down the map.' He also retains 175 million marks (nominally £8,'<140,000) worth of industrial shares, mortgages, and other descriptions of investments, including (as the Vorwaerts sneers) "a precious little AYar Loan." CROWN (TEWELS. Prussia's Royal jewels he regains, though the comparatively valueless Royal Insignia pass into the possession of the State. Then the ex-Kaiser is graciously pleased to surrender 25 minor estates and grounds, with historic ruin 3, shooting boxes, etc.But, as though he were not sufficiently provided with dwellings in the Fatherland he deserted, kindly Prussia presents him with three more—and hig ones. 1 For the space of time covered by the)' lifetime of the ex-Kaiser, the ex-Kaiser-in. the ex-Crown Prince, and the ex-. Crown ■ Princess,- the ex-Royal house 1 retains the castle and park of Hamburg, the Cceilienhof Palace and the Marmorpalais rent free. It is added, though doubtless in 110 ironic spirit, that William retains one mausoleum at Potsdam. AN AMAZING CLAUSE. One reason for this unparalleled generosity is stated in one amazing clause: "It is in keeping with the wish of the members of the Royal House (not "exRoyal" be it noted) that the castles which they prefer in the event of a return to Germany be placed at their disposal for theiip lifetime. ' "As the fulfilment of this desire is not against any State, interests, the three castles (mentioning those above referred to) are placed at their service." The former Royal Opera Houses in Berlin, Hanover, Cassel, and Wiesbaden are handed over tp the State —with all their debts upon them. William leaves all his faithful retainers to bo dealt with by the Prussian Government, which—whiie having given poor lackeys aifil coachmen short notice with no pension—is still paying anything up to a thousand pounds a year "on account of pension" to Court daines, Court marshals, and other such ornamental personages. • And all that more than a year after revolution! Indeed the Prussian spirit does not die!