EX-KAISER WILHELM.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17621, 28 January 1929, Page 7

EX-KAISER WILHELM.

HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY. CELEBRATED AT DOORN. FATE OF FATHERLAND MOURNED. /By Telegraph—Pres? Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—Untied Service.)' LONDON, Jan. 26. A message from Doom, Holland, says the ex-Kaiser is already celebrating his 70 th birthday, which falls on Sunday. His castle is crowded with guests, but there has been no appearance of .Wilhelm’s wife, Princess Hermine, who is said to be indisposed. Other reports say the Princess is piqued in. consequence of the attitude of her husband's children. Wilhelm intends to hold a “ court ” early on Sunday.morning. Every guest will file past him. There will he officers, nobles and oQiciais and wearing their decorations. A service will be conducted by Dr. Vogel, formerly chaplain to the Imperial Court. He will preach a “ pure Christian sermon,” not politics. Count Westarp, leader of the Nationalist Party, in a message joined with the ex-Kaiser in mourning the fate of the Fatherland. He said he shared Wilhelm's faith that the German nation again would be great and free.

The Berlin correspondent of the Dally Mail says quiet preparations have been made at Doom for the birthday celebrations. All the members of the Hohenzollern family will be present with the possible exception of Princess Victoria, whose marriage to the Russian, Zoubkoff has displeased her brother Wilhelm.

PRINCESS HERMINE ILL. EX-KAISER SERENADED. (By Telegrapb—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) LONDON, Jan. 26. A message from Doom states that Princess llermine’s illness is said to bo chickenpox. A rash developed over all her body a quarter of a hour after breakfast and she is now confined to her room. Tlie illness of the Princess lias prevented the attendance of Prince Henry, tiie ex-Kaiser’s only brother. Many others of tile Hohenzollern family have arrived. A mixed choir of residents of Doom serenaded Wilhelm. The burgomaster, .Mynheer Schimmelpcnnihck, presented him with two garden scats. Other gifts include many llorai tributes and five bells to be hung over the garage. The bells are all inscribed. One bears the word “ Kaiser.” This is from his wife. On another is “ Hohenzollern," from tlie members of the family. The word ” Trcue ” (fidelity) appears on one from tlie household. On tiie fourth hell is inscribed “ Ileimat ” (home). This is from “the faithful ones in the homeland who refuse to be denied affording tiie exKaiser pleasure. ’ Tiie fifth bell is from the Brandenburg province. Fifty Dutch families presented Wilhelm with a si.. cr salver.

LATER. BECOMES COMMUNICATIVE. TIIE CENTRE OF GRAVITY. SHIFTS TO UNITED STATES. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) fAustralian Press Association.) (Received Jan. 28, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 27. Coincident with his birthday, the Kaiser has become suddenly communicative In an exclusive Interview with the Sunday, Express he declared that the centre of gravity had shifted to the United States, which was master of the world.

Asked if America’s naval expansion would lead eventually, to a collision with other Powers, he replied that he saw no cause for alarm in the Atlantic, but as regards the Pacific, if the United States desired to avoid a conflict in that sphere it must refrain from even countenancing the colonial imperialism of certain European Powers, and must recognise the right of Asia for self-determination.

He expressed satisfaction that American scholars were unravelling the intrigues which led up to the war, and said he did not doubt that when their conclusions were released the American people would “ set themselves to repair the wrong committed against my country, and use their paramount position to free Central Europe from the nightmare of the peace treaty.” Continued Peace Policy.

The Sunday Times publishes an article by the ex-Kaiser, through the British United Press, in which he asserts that he continued the peace policy of his grandfather and father, thereby securing Europe 43 years’ of peace. He stresses Germany’s restraint at the time of the Fushoda, Boer War. Morocco and Bosnia crises, and declares that Germany never formed any alliances bearing the stamp of an offensive policy, whereas ” the Allies succeeded in forging around the Central Powers an iron ring of military and naval conventions, which were defensive alliances only on paper.” He concludes by affirming that documents published have proved to the world that the statement that Germany was responsible for the war, which was the great lie of Versailles, does not bear examination.

NOT DESERVING OF FATE. REGARDED WITH VENERATION. <By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) (Received .lan. 28, 1.20 p.m.) BERLIN, Jan. 27. The Republican and Democratic newspapers do not comemnl, on the exKaiser's celebration at Doom, hut all the Nationalist journals combine in describing him as not deserving of fate. They say it has been proved that he tried ■ lo prevent war, and always sought peace. All the newspapers except the Monarchist press agree that the republic has been so firmly established that it cannot he shaken by a Hohcnzollern attack. SVilhclm must he regarded as the last of the German Kaisers.. Thousands of the old generation still regard the ex-Kaiser with veneration. Monarchist organisations met

throughout the country and sent messages to Doom, also ex-soldiers, steel helmeters, and ex-imperial Army and Naval bodies'despatched a message. Even l.iie Nationalist leaders sent congratulations.