KAISER'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

Dominion, 14 August 1919, Page 5

KAISER'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

WOERIED ABOUT HIS ESTATES. Tho former German Emperor has been discussing his financial problems for more than a week with Dr. J. Krieffo, wlio has been in charge of the Imperial estates and funds in Germany since tho Hohenzollern abdication (states tho New York "Evanin;,' Pest" in a dispatch from its correspondent at Aiiierongwi, dated Juno 14). Dr. Kricge, one of the former German functionaries of the German Foreign Office, lias been here in conferoncfl with H>rr Hohpjizollern when the latter was iiot engaged in wood-sawins'. Tho Jlnr.?hal of the Gorman Emperor's court, vo:i Gontard, aleo participated in the discussions.

Tho formar Emperor is not short of money, as he possessed a considerable amount on deposit in Holla.nd before war began. This was added to appreciably while hostilities were _in pro. gross. During the few .stirring weeks preceding his abdication. William and his followers transferred, further large sums in ready cash. But he is troubleo .%•• to the fate of his real estate. Ho possessed no fewer tluv.i fifty-live castle?, limiting boxes and country scats scattered over the Empire. The revenues of these proparties are for the present in tha ha.nde of tho new Government, which hitherto has paid from their proceeds all Herr Hohenzollern's bills, forwarded to Berlin for sol Moment. These accounts have been quito formidable, a-s the Imperial refugee is called upon to pay for evorythins ho consumes, us well a-s for his accommodation and tho upkeep oF his suite, besides paying the wages of the gardeners and domestics of the Bontinck estate who render him services while wood-cutting or in tho household. The expenses of tho Dutch gard of gendarmes on dutv around the ciistlo also fall on the Hrihenzollern purse. Tlie (iprman Govfriimont'fl intentionft concerninc; the fornmr Emneror's private forhiiin ran not )•>■> learned here. Geriiiwis vrcnnlly from \h? Fntliprlnnil sny l-.'iore i< a. gi'w.t ileal of purely personnl eympathy for Vvilliam twmv.vr all classes . and that it \* likely he mil receive a, Ini-gp portion cf I lie value of what ho owivd. Thr-y s»v it is probable that ni<v,t of the ca.«Hr.« and country houses will \\? sold and Wic cash result paid to William's account, but n number of them may l;a retained ns Government nranrrtv to lw used for the purpjsw of local Cioverr.menl; hendrnuvrters. This I'ipv consider an equitable arrangement which will not deprive the ex-monarch of his righte as s>, private citizen as they believe would bo tho case if his property were confiscated.