MONARCHIST REVIVAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 13

MONARCHIST REVIVAL

WHAT HITLER FEARS OUSTING NAZISM HOHENZOLLERN HOPES LONDON, Nov. 16. A possible revival of the monarchy in Germany is being discussed. The mysterious death of Genera! von Fritsch in Poland on September 23 and the arrest of other German generals show, it is believed, that HenHitler fears that a monarchist plot may be hatched in Germany to hasten the overthrow of the Nazi regime from within or to provide for a revival of the monarchy when the Nazi regime is overthrown by external forces.

It is believed that the former Kaiser, who is in exile at Doom (Holland), is anxious that the Hohenzollern dynasty should not remain in eclipse. It is expected that he will do his utmost, in collaboration with Prussians outside Germany, to preserve the rights of the dynasty against the day when it may be revived in all its old glory.

What form a revival would take if another Kaiser were not to rule over Greater Germany is a subject of debate.

A Stockholm dispatch to the ParisSoir says that monarchist propaganda is steadily growing in Prussia and Bavaria. In Prussia there is a campaign in favour of a restoration of the Hohenzollerns. In Bavaria there is a campaign in favour of the Bavarian Royal Family. There is even widespread propaganda urging Bavaria to proclaim her independence under Prince Rupprecht and to refuse to fight on the side of Prussia. A wave of arrests is reported in Bavaria. Two Hohenzollerns As far as the Hohenzollerns are concerned, it is believed that the Prussian generals and ruling classes, who would like a restoration of the Emperor, are divided in their preference between the Kaiser’s favourite grandson, Prince Louis Ferdinand, and Prince Frederick William, younger son of the former Crown Prince.

It is thought that Prince Louis Ferdinand has the better chance, not only because he is on excellent terms with the former Kaiser, but because he married a Russian, Princess Kyra, of whom the former Kaiser is very fond. Princess Kyra and her baby recently stayed at Doom for several months.

One story is that the former Kaiser, in the presence of a selected group of Prussian officers, signed a declaration authorising them to transfer all his rights, as head of the Hohenzollern dynasty, to Prince Louis Ferdinand. Prince Louis Ferdinand, who is living in Germany, is closely watched by the Nazis. The Kaiser’s eldest son—the former Crown Prince—is virtually interned in his home at Potsdam. Dual Monarchy Idea Another aspect of the speculation is the part, if any, that the Hapsburg Archdukes, Otto and Robert, will be permitted to play. Some circles see significance in the Archduke Otto's recent two-hour conversation with M. Daladier and in the Archduke Robert's visit to London about the same time.

The significance seems to lie in the conception of a dual monarchy, with a Hapsburg established in Vienna and another family—probably a branch of the German Royal House—established in Berlin.

The reported renewal of Papal diplomatic activity in all Chancelleries and the Allies’ reported sympathy with Signor Mussolini’s attempt to lead a Balkan bloc are regarded as of some significance.

The Archduke Otto, as Roman Catholic head of a Roman Catholic Austrian State, would have the strong support of the Vatican. The Vatican would support a Protestant Monarchy in Berlin because of its relations with a reconstituted Poland. * As a Roman Catholic monarch and as a potential bulwark against the encroachment of Bolshevism into Southern Europe, the Archduke Otto would have the active combined support of Signor Mussolini and the Vatican. As a neighbour of Yugoslavia, the Archduke Otto would come within the orbit of influence that Signor Mussolini is trying to spread in the Balkans, of which the beginning is the new trade agreement with Yugoslavia.

Prelude to Peace Mr. Duff Cooper’s recent statement in New York about a possible restoration of the German Monarchy indicates that certain British circles arc giving the matter attention. It is believed to be contemplated that the establishment of two monarchies would be preceded by a short military dictatorship after the breaking up of Herr Hitler’s Reich, and after the generals overthrow the Nazis —as is widely thought probable by taking advantage of the first real setback, and the consequent unrest. It is thought that it would then be possible to make peace with the generals on the conditions, first, of the establishment of the monarchies, and secondly, on the re-establishment of Poland westward of the new Russian frontier, and the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia. Therefore more than academic attention is being paid to the exiled Polish Government in Paris, and to Dr. Benes’ organisation. Thus it is hoped that the restoration of a Hapsburg may mark the end of the German wars, of which the beginning was marked 25 years ago by the death of a Hapsburg.