CARVING UP ENGLAND

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15341, 2 October 1917, Page 4

CARVING UP ENGLAND

HUNNISH CHICKEN-COUNT. WINDSOR CASTLE FOR KAISER, JUNKERS ALLOTTED COUNTRY SEATS. Charles von Weissenrode, a member of the Kasier’s General Staff, wrote a pamphlet entitled “The German Army in England,” which was a frank confession of what the Huns —especially those in high places—intended to do when they had carried out a successful invasion of England. The King, however, would not allow the pamphlet to be published. The Emperor, perhaps, thought it might be wiser to wait until he was able to invade England before allowing his post invasion plans to be made public. Some parts of the pamphlet were, as a matter of fact, later published in the form of a short article in a German paper. I, however, saw a copy of the complete pamphlet, writes a contributor to Pearson’s Weekly, It was shown to me in proof by the manager of the publishing firm who-printed it.

ZEPPELIN SHEDS NEAR LONDON,

It appeared that one of the first things that the Kaiser’s General Staff intended to do after the Gerhad effected a successful invasion of England was to seise and distribute among themselves and other prominent Germans a large number of the most notable residences in England. It seemed officially settled that Eaton Hall, the residence of the Duke of Westminster, was to be given to Hlndenburg; von Falkennhayn was tb have Chatsworth, the residence of the Duke of Devonshire, and Count Zeppelin, it appeared, desired to possess himself of Hatfield House.

"In the extensive grounds about Hatfield,” said the writer, "some Zeppelin sheds could be easily erected; a Zeppelin station so close to the English capital, under command of the count, would no doubt have a subduing effect not only on Londoners, but on the whole English population, who would know that we had the power to smash London to pieces at very short notice.” Very many highly-placed German officers, it seemed, desired to possess themselves of Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough.

■ "It is obvious,” wrote Captain Weissenrode, “that- whilst there may be several officers in the German army and navy who may each have an equally good claim to take possession of this historic English seat (now held by the descendant of England’s greatest general), it must be left to the Emperor to decide in all such cases as to who is to have the desired prize. Blenheim, I am assured on the highest authority, will be granted by the Kaiser to the Crown Prince, who it is known has often spoken of it as the only English nobleman’s seat he Had the least desire to possess.” BIG WILLIE IN WINDSOR CASTLE "There must not be,” said Captain Weissenrode in a later passage, “any quarrelling or disputing among ourselves over such mattery when we get England, and the only way to preserve hramony and order is that the King-Emperor should decide who is. to have any particular residence that mey be wanted by several.”

I may say that the seizure of ali the finest English county residences by the Germans was justified-by Captain Weissenrode on the . ground that they would be taken in part satisfaction of the indemnity that Germany levy on England. Captain Weissenrode estimated that the value of two hundred of the largest and finest English country, seats might apaount to one hundred million pounds, about one-twentieth part of the indemnity that Germany intended, to levy oh England. “We shall see the dispossessed owners of these country seats,” wrote the captain, “scattered to the four corners of the earth, like the French nobles after the Revolution.” A remarkable passage in the pamphlet related to where the Kai-

ser would take up his abode during the time he spent in England after the invasion. ' “There are obviously,”' wrote Cap-i tain Wefssenrode, "only two. places where the Emperor could take up , his residence— Buckingham Palam r and Windsor Castle. It would contrary t© the dignity of hi& eaty to occupy any place except the existing regular abodes of the English sovereign. . . . Whilst, therefore, the Kaiser remains in London, which his Majesty would probably do for about thrde months after the ✓ conquest of England, he will be in residence either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The English court will be transferred during that time to one of the smaller royal palaces, either St. James or Kensingtion. Pala,c6 KAISER’S ENTRY INTO LONDON.

How the Kaiser would make his triumphal entry into London was roughly outlined. “It must be the most dazzling ceremony of its kind the world has ever witnessed,” said Captain Weissenrode. “It would bt fitting that the leading English Admirals and generals, together with the most notable members of the Englihs Government, should be compelled' to take part in the procession—not, perhaps, exactly as but in such a way as to indicate to the world how completely we’ had triumphed over the English arms on sea and land, and over the machinations of the English politicians. . . I have heard that'the Emperor ia giving great attention to this matter, and has discussed it with the officials who are arranging the programme of the Emperor’s triumphal entry Into the English capital/’

To seize and carry back to Ger* many many of the most valuable national treasures in England was also part of the post invasion of the Huns. PLANS FOR THE GERMAN ARMY* Among the treasures to be taken, were the chief contents of the British Museum, Tate 'Gallery, the National Gallery, and the Tower of London, and the priceless stained glass windows in Westminster Abbey, Christchurch Abbey, and othei* churches were to to Ber* lin to decorate an immense War Memorial Hall, where the treasures looted by the Huns were to bo placed. “Our soldiers,” wrote tlfe captain, “will be comfortably billeted in the substantial residences that abound in the suburbs. The owners of*these houses will have to give up thei» best rooms to our privates,'corporals, and sergeants, and to provide for them at least three well-cooked and substantial meals a day. . . . The English housewife will be kept very busy when we come to London, and woe betide those who grumble or who do not maae our soldiers nom<* fortable.”