The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1916. "AWAY WITH THE HOHENZOLLERNS"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1916. "AWAY WITH THE HOHENZOLLERNS"

So far as it goes, "Away with the Hohenzodlerns," is ■ a watchword which the Allies might well keep constantly before fcliem. M. Joseph Reinach, the well-known French publicist, in demanding the abolition of the House of Hohenzolleiin and the Master Assassin at its head, has history on his side when he describes this House as "the. soul'!of Gorman militarism," and it is very doubtful if the Allies can rid the 1 world of the curse of the Hohenzol6brn spirit as long as the House of Hohenzollern continues to shape the destinies of Germany. The present war has shown that the inor'dinate ambition and insatiable lust of power which hive possessed Kaiser William II and his ancestors have infected and dishonoured the German nation as a whole. The Kaiser is the Master Criminal, but justice demands that others besides she leader should be brought to judgment for the infamous ctimos which the Germans htive committed during this war. It is satisfactory, therefore, to have Mr. Asquith's assurance that Britain and her Allies are taking counsel' together with the object'oi devising an effective method of dealing with the authors of these barbarities—the Kaiser and his advisers; the Prussian junkers who have planned and carried out the policy of "frightlulness." These inhuman monsters are remorselessly putting into practice the psychological aspect of -tho Prussian theory of war. ' They hold that all things are lawful for Germany in working out the "Divine mission" of the House of HohenzolLERn which is so near to tho Kaiser's heart. They openly declare, to .quote the words of an eminent French writer, that "deeds universally condemned as hbrrible, spreading terror and dismay everywhere, are to be recommended, because they crush the very soul's of men, however worthless they may be from a military point of viow." Recent events indicate ulainly enough that now that the Germans realise that their chance of final victory has gone all restraint is being thrown off, and free play is being given to the traditional ferocity of their race.

The rule'of the Roiienzollerxs has been characterised by a policy of ruthless and unscrupulous conquest. This- policy is., utterly inconsistent with respect for treaties, and conventions, loyalty, fidelity, honour, scruples, generosity, all of which aro regarded .as so many inconvenientshackles. •«. The Prussian "Godination," with its Divinely-appoint-ed rulers, wiM, therefore, as M. Boimtoux tells us, "unhesitatingly violate the rights of neutrals If benefit ■is to bo gained by such a policy; it will employ methods of lying and treachery, and will advance futile and false pretexts for committing t-ho most atrocious acts." M. Boutroijx goes on to state that this war has rent the veil asunder, and German Kultur is seen to be nothing else than soientific barbarism; "With such a despotism," ho adds, "the world, which means to shake off every kind of servitude, will never be able to make terms." But this despotism cannot be overthrown unless the House of Hohbnzoljlern is made to share the samo fate. Tho Hohenzollekns have been a world curse. Mr. A. D. Innis, who has recently, reviewed tho history of tho HohenZOLLERNS in a ca'in and judicial spirit, says it is curiously difficult to discover any single rcspect in which European progress is indebted to Prussian sources.

Only lit a single epoch mom- history— from the moment when Yorck in effect raised the standard of Prussian' revolt against the Napoleonic domination at tho clobo of 1812, to tlio moment whon Bluclior's arrival on the field of Waterloo sealed the doom - of Napoleon—did Prussia play a heroic part in a common cause. And even thon the lead was not given by tho Hohenzollern, who was swept somewhat roluctantly along .tho tide of irresistible popular feeling, Thero have been fervent'and distinguished pat-

tr°i. san 3011"3 011 " tho Hohenzollern princes. Uonenzollern princes havo even extended their Gortaauy at large. T-hoy have served Prussia, they have served Germany—not always to Germany's benefit. But not one of them has ever *ttciuptoi to servo Europe. Kaiser William II ia intoxicated with tho spirit of his ancestors, with an admixture of Napolconism, and tho intellect of, Germany has been cqmmandcered for tho purpose of singigg his praises anfl spreading tho idea of Gorman world-dominion. Before this madness had culminated in this most terrible war, Dr. Bamberger, a German Radical, assorted that tho cult of tho Houso of Hohenzollern had developed into an ecstatic religion, and had beooijio a species of fanaticism without parallel in history. "Never of tho Antonines, nor of the Medici, nor of the Bourbons, nor of tho Hapsburgs, was it maintained in such dithyrambic strains that cvory ruler of their Houso must, by the' l mere fact of his existence, bo a pattern of superhuman porfcction lawfully placed on the Throne." Tho Kaiser has done his best to foster and encourago this cult. . Somo of his utterances havo to the ears of thoso of other nations as tho savings of a lunatic; his blasphemies havo become almost as common as his crimes. If justico is meted out to those responsible for this war, and for tho foul and -inhuman manner in which Germany is waging it, tho mildest punishment that can bo inflicted on the Master Criminal is tho abolishing of tho Houso of Hohenzollern, of which- ho is tho head. .