The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1920. WILL KAISERDOM COME BACK?

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16033, 26 January 1920, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1920. WILL KAISERDOM COME BACK?

Confirmation of our remarks in last Friday’s issue to the effect that the Germans have not experienced any real change of heart, and that the allegedly new Germany is still the same old Germany, is forthcoming in the expressions given utterance to by the notorious yon Bernhardi in an interview, the gist of which was cabled a day or two ago. As is well known, this man makes no secret, whether in writings, speeches, or actions, of the fact that he is an upholder of what has been termed the “blonde beast” theory, and of the doctrine that might, particularly German might, has a prior claim even to right. Yon Bernhardi is, of course, only one man, but he must 'not be ignored on that account, for the reason that there are a good many more like him in Germany, Even though they might not constitute a majority, they are not less dangerous on that account, because what they lack in numbers they to a great extent make up in utter unscrupulousness and complete ruthlessness. It would be a mistake to imagine that only the aristocracy of Germany want to see the monarchy restored. There is still a large number of the bourgeois who are of the same mind, and many others who, while not openly advocating a restoration, would have no objection to seeing it effected. Von Bernhardi is pnobably a little “previous” in supposing that events are already trending that way, still he is quite right in suggesting that an active movement for a monarchy would find support, not only powerful, but fairly widespread. The monarchy has always been generally popular in Germany. For one thing the German was thoroughly well educated and trained into considering Kaiserdom the ideal form of Government. Early impressions, as is well known, have a way of persisting, and while there were many of the proletariat who promoted a counter-theory and kicked against the doctrine of divine right, they did not succeed in influencing the whole, even of their own class, had not a great deal of effect on the bourgeois, and none whatever on the aristocracy. Not only that, hut it must he remembered that under the last few years of the monarchy, Germany reached the highest pitch of national efficiency, besides enjoying a national, if not wholly an individual, prosperity, unexampled in her history. The supporters of divine right were not slow to attribute all this to the wisdom of the ruler, and the average German, docile to his own if no one else, was quite prepared to believe it.. Of course those' now at the head of the republic are strong and determined men, and there is always the not inconsiderable Spartacus section to be reckoned with. Should these two elements make common cause against a restoration, the friends of the Hohenzollerns will have to postpone their programme. Should they remain apart, the monarchial movement might easily enough push in between them. There is no present indication of any such coup having a chance of success, but it is evident that the Hohenzollerns’ friends are endeavouring to feel the pulse of public opinion, and von Bernhardi’s recent utterance bears some appearance of being a feeler in this direction. The present German Government, however, has proved itself as efficient as ruthless in squelching any movement hostile to itself, and being as bitterly opposed to the monarchy as von Bernhardi and his clique are in, favour of it, the Government will undoubtedly move promptly should any royalist schemes begin to take practical shape. It would be a bad thing for the world if Kaiserdom did come bach, and if the German Government wlil only act against it with the same vigour as it hasdisplayed against the Spartacists, it ought to be able to prevent the calamitous thing from making , a reappearance.