GERMAN STATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 7

GERMAN STATES

DISPUTE WITH REICH SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT RETENTION OF SOVEREIGNTY ■OPPOSITION FOR THE NAZIS 'By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright I Received June 28, 10.10 p.m. LONDON, June 28. \ A Munich message states that Prince Rupprecht, touring Bavaria, is everywhere receiving enthusiastic receptions, suggesting that tho Royal progress is generally popular. The Prince is being greeted bv crowds crying “God blesu the King!” It is now expected that the conflict between the German States and the Central Government will be settled by allowing the States to retain their Sovereignty. The police will thus be able to ban the uniforms of political organisation when they threaten disorders. Herr Lobe, President of the Reichstag, speaking at Berlin, boasted that if the Nazis marched out with 400,000 men the Reichsbanner could oppose them with 800,000. What is happening in Germany is not civil war but the degeneration of party canvassing into ruthless rowdyism wherein firearms are frequently used. The wear and tear on the nation’s nerves is most serious. The ex-Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria was born at Munich on May 18. 1869, his father being later King Ludwig 111., and his mother Marie Therese. Archduchess of Austria-Este. Through his mother Rupprecht is a descendant of the Stuart and might therefore claim to be the “legitimate” heir to the throne of England. He studied at the Universities of Berlin and Munich, devoting himself chiefly to geography, natural science, law and political science. Tn later years he extended his knowledge by travels in India, China, Japan and America, after which he wrote a lengthy book, “Travel Impressions from the Far East.”

At the age of 17, Rupprecht became an officer in the Bavarian Army and passed through the various grades until, in 1906, he was in command of the Ist. Bavarian Army Corps. In 1913 he was appointed Inspector-General of the 4th. Army District which comprised three Bavarian corps and the 3rd. Prussian Corps. In August, 1914, he was placed at the head of the 6th. Army with which, on August 20, he drove back eight French army corps between Metz and the Vosges. Soon afterwards his troops wore transferred to Flanders where they constituted tho extreme right wing of the German forces. He remained there till the end of the war, his command having been extended to the army group bearing his name. After the revolution in November, 1918, Rupprecht sent a telegram from Brussels to the Bavarian Government then in power, protesting that the upheaval had been brought about without the co-operation of the Bavarian people as a whole. Even later he never made formal renunciation of his right to the throne, but on October 18, 1921, on the occasion of the death of King Ludwig, he expressly maintained his claims, but without making any attempt to exorcise them. Tn a letter written in 1918 and published in 1921 Rupprecht expressed his disapproval, of Germany’s foreign and military policy during the war and said it was doubtful whether the Hohenzollorn Dynastv would survive. The ex-Crown Prince retired into private life, but from time to time he has taken part in patriotic celebrations at Munich, whore he is always acclaimed by the monarchists. Tn the autumn. 1924. the hostility.dating from the time of war, which existed between him and General Ludendorff, found public expression, for the Bavarian Generals issued a declaration, in favour of Rupprecht and attacking Ludendorff. The apologia which the latter issued in December, 1924. the ex-Crown Prince described as calculated to mislead public opinion.

Rupprecht, at various times, has made it clear that he considers a Bavarian kingdom within the borders of the Republican Reich as quite practicable. but is said to have always opposed changing the constitution by force and sought to avoid any appearance of disloyalty. Thus, in 1929. he refused to take part in the Reichwehr

officers’ ball at Munich, as it was feared that his presence would lead to attacks on the officers. He also refused to become a patron of the Stahlhelm congress at Munich in tho same year, apparently because ho did not wish to identify himself with its political aims. According to tho Socialists, however, tho Prince favoured a union of Gorman States under Bavarian leadership, to include most of the nonPrussian States.

Tt is also asserted that in 1921 and again after the death of King Ludwig. a l so in 1923 shortly before the Hitler rising and again in the autumn of 1925, he was occupied with plans for a restoration. At the end of 1928, he published his war memories. Rupprecht married on July 10, 19900, the Duchess Marie Gabriele, who died at Sorrento in October, 1912. Their son. Prince Albrecht, was born on May 3. 1905. Rupprecht was betrothed to the Grand D/ichess Charlotte of Luxemburg in 1918, but at the end of tho war the engagement was broken off. On April 7, 1921, tho ex-Crown Prince married her sister, Princess Antonia, of Luxemburg and Nassau. Of this union. Prince Heinrich was born in 1922, Princess Trmagard in 1923 and Princess Editha in 1924. Rupprecht lives sometimes in Munich and sometimes at Berchtesgaden or Schloss Hohenburg.