COMMONER'S LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17839, 11 October 1929, Page 9

COMMONER'S LIFE.

PLEASES EX-PRINCE

STUD FARM CHIEF CONCERN. (From a Correspondent.) BERLIN, August 29. The former Crown Prince of Germany is now T indulging in a series of written revelations tending to indicate that life, even beyond the shadow of an imperial throne, may be both bearable and, in his own language, “filled with useful occupation.” Apparently the most- important item in the present daily routine of Friedrich Wilhelm Is his vocation of horsebreeding on his Silesian estates at Oels. This, his compatriots seem vastly interested to learn, is coupled with a laudable money-maldng ambition, which brings the former heir to the throne directly into contact with lowly leaders of the new republic. For, according to the former Crown Prince himself:

"My breeding of noble East Prussian horses is developing so well in the Silesian climate that I can soon supply the Reichswehr wdth its best material.” Certainly “Willie,” as he is still called despite his ageing appearance—his hair is almost snow-white —seems to have abandoned completely in the past year the various occupations which brought charges in the democratic press that he was courting publicity, notably through his attendance at boxing matches in the Sports Palast and at six-day bicycle races.

Still Seen In Public Often. This, however, does not mean that he -is not often seen at other public gatherings, usually arriving in his famous red Mercedes racer, with himself at the wheel and wearing such a cheery smile as-would indicate that he is not at all unhappy to be merely "Herr Ilohenzollern” instead of “his Imperial Highness.” But even if he should be pining for the pomp of former days, usually he finds few believers in the old regime hanging about ready with curtsies and soft words.

During the present season “Willie” lias been often to the theatre and the opera, and even to cinema performances, while -one of his favourite naunts has boon Tempelhof Field, where he watches the airplanes arrive and depart from the same spot where only 15 years ago lie and his father, with all the pomp and glitter of the empire held reviews of the crack regiments of Prussian Guards. In his own words, Friedrich Wilhelm declares:

"After the war I, like many officers, was forced to live a new life and find a new job. Such a complete change was often a bitter pill to swallow, causing much sorrow and sacrifice. To a certain degree this was true for me and my family. My former spheres of interest were military, political and technical. After the collapse of the empire the first two of these were shut to me. No longer am I permitted to exhibit any interest in the army or in the internal and external politics of my fatherland.

“So of my great interests all that remains for me are technical affairs, especially machinery construction, explosive motors for automobiles, airplanes, and all matters pertaining to electricity.

Recalls Early Flights. “It still gives me pleasure to remember how I, as a young officer, was one of the first passengers to fly in Orville Wright's machine; and also that I made a trip in the first Zeppelin over Lake Constance. In order to increase my technical knowledge I attended the Gharlottenburg Technical High School and studied under the famous Professor Slaby and also made the acquaintance of Count Arco, the present head of the Telefunken Company. “My.interest in such lines remains. I can still rave over a modern locomotive, a ship’s turbine or an automobile chassis.

“The financial situation in my house, as with all Germans, has changed considerably. We, too, are forced to limit our daily expenditures. Our agricultural estates must be watched carefully. In Silesia, at Oels, I own several farms, which are all rented except the one which I run myself and where I am trying to establish a model farm. “But the details of the farming business do not suit me. I do not understand it. One should be a farmer from childhood in order to run it ail himself. I am forced to depend upon the advice of experienced agriculturists, but fortunately we have many such in Silesia.

“But I have made two especially interesting experiments at my farm. One is the installation of a modern electric grain mill. The second is my breeding farm for East Prussian horses. I have always been a friend of horses and an enthusiastic rider, so this breeding stable is my special joy. “1 also own some forests, which give much pleasure to my wife. The game stock on this estate was excellent before the war; then it dwindled to nothin?, hut now it is slowly reviving and we have many deer, boars and other game animals. This gives an indication of my life on my estates.

Tells of Business Duties. “When I am living at Potsdam, I spend several days weekly at my Berlin office, where as the representative of my father, I have many matters to decide concerning all liohenzollerns and their affairs. In addition to this I have daily conference with leading men in finance, economics and art. In Berlin, I am happy to say, I have maintained a wide circle of stimulating friends.

“In the summer I shall like to indulge in sports. My favourite is polo, which I look up again this season after seven years. This was made possible through the courtesy of the Polo Club of Hamburg. I not only practiced there, but played in a tournament. I have also played considerable tennis on the courts' of the Rot Weiss Club and golf at Wannsee. “So all in all, and without overestimating my present activities, I be-, lieve I can say my life is filled with useful, rather than useless occupations.”