GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1926, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] GERMAN EXCITEMENT BERLIN. June 17. Germany is on the tiptoe of -expectation in view of the momentous rcl'orcmlmn to be held on Sunday on the question of the confiscation or otherwise of the vast valuable properties claimed by the ex-Kaiser. The ballot paper is a simple document. requiring n cross in a circle, for or against. Whichever side wins what is virtually a conflict of the republic versus the monarchy will' enormously strengthen its political position. The- campaign on behalf of confiscation has het'n vigorously carried on. , Though no voice lias been officially raised on behalf of the Doom exile, nevertheless it is difficult to forecast the result. Twenty million people at least must vote in favour of confiscation in order to carry the day. That the ex-Kaiser will he reduces to hogging, even if confiscation is carried, is, of course nonsense. He will be given a pension, together with .some property which lie unquestionably owns.

The ex-Kaiser at present receiveo an equivalent of £SOO weekly from the Republic. The furniture, plate and art- objects at bis lavish Doom residence represent a substantial fortune. Be received £50.000 from one book and is asking CGO.OOf) sterling for the manuscript of another just completed. If-e remains 'extraordinary extravagant. Tie is scarcely able to balance his budget.

The ballot concerns ninety castles, six hundred thousand acres of land, and fifty millions in money. ■

GERMAN LINERS.

BERLIN. .lime 17. The North German Llovtl Shipping Company commences on August 11 tli with the steamer Crofehl, a direct throe-monthly service, for third class passengers only, between Bremen and Australia. The journey outwards will be by way of the Cape of Good Hope, the liners returning via Suez Canal. The Company thinks that German emigrants will prefer to travel by the German boats. The faros will he reduced to the lowest possible figure.

GKBM,AN KLKKT. I.ON BON. June 17. iI he German KJeot appeared in the English Channel today, for the first time since the war. Six vessels steamed past the Goodwins, passing the scenes of the immortal fights with the Dover patrols. A GERAI.AN HOB BOR. BERLIN, June 17. A whole household of seven persons Was wiped out at Dortmund. A drunken, unemployed butcher, named Blaschewski first attacked and killed with an axe his sleeping wife and his three children. Then lie went to another room and killed a lodger. Dropping the axe, he fatally attacked the lodger’s wife with a razor, and finally committed suicide.

There were many onlookers but they were afraid to intervene.