Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1918. THE FATE OF KINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1918. THE FATE OF KINGS.

Thk autocratic Kings of Europe avo faring but indifferently in these days of great happenings. The Great War is carrying in its train death and disaster for the monarehs of Europe "ho ruled with sovereign power. It was hardly the kind qf climax they anticipated when, in consort, they permitted a world-war to ravage the countryside. The anticipations for a new world, for a new order of things, are coming to pass with forceful effect, and witiuquue unexpected results. The rule of the Kaiser was so absolute up to a certain point, that lie was the autocrat supreme of Germany and her Allies. The power he wielded was a power for evil, designing war and ravage on all who brooked his will. When the walls of his power began to humble about his ears, lie did not stand upon the order of his going, but got. His flight was so swift, that he out-paced even his son, whom he left in distress, and who met a not unkindly fate under the circumstances, from the bullet- of a Dutch seiytry. The death of the Crown Prince was a merciful one under the circumstances. Death was the penalty he had earned by the many supercilious acts of viciousness during the war, but the mode of his death was too heroic for the criminal he was. The monarehs of the States of the German Umpire are fleeing in all directions, in. dieating an end to their ignominous rule and a changed form of Government !' the Empire. When Germany recovers from the riot and revolution now raging it is not- improbable that, the world will see arise in the ultimate ciid the Federated states of Germania, just as in America we have the Pnited States of North America. The sweeping away of the autocracies and the substitution of sonic generous form of democratic government will be an inestimable benefit to Germany in the long run. It is probable, that in the end, too. Austria and Russia will also drop into a similar line of internal government-. Bulgaria will be -setting up if not already done, alike kind of reform, and Turkey must needs pattern by the same model. Th ( > defeated enemy States are thus going to got some advantage of the national wreck now surrounding themselves. They will have the opportunity of moulding democratic rule in which power will rest with the people and not with an autocratic ruler. This stable form of Government will he all to the advantage of the peoples though some of them, notably Russia because of the ignorance of the masses, might be slow to realise the inetimahle benefits of the new rule possible. Prince Max has referred to the victory the Germans have achieved over themselves which seems to rather appreciate the fate which has befallen the Kaiser bv his disposition. President Wilson a|>pears to he encouraging the German nation to manifest their ability to direct their own affairs, and as they justify themselves, so will the Allies deal with them in matters of national rccognation. Central Europe having got. rid of its nest of Kings who used their autocratic powers to such evil effect, has now the opportunity to redemm itself by its own acts of internal reformation. However, meantime revolution holds sway, and till this mad revolt settles down and sanity takes its place little of benefit can happen till the reign of terror has run its course