THE KAISERS FALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1946, 1 March 1919, Page 4

THE KAISERS FALL

FORMAL ABDICATION

TEXT OF DOCUMENT

When, on 9th November, Drinee Max of Baden announced that the “Kaiser and King has decided to renounce (he flirone," lie refrained from publishing (lie text of (he “Act of Abdication*’ customary in these circumstances. Jn many quarters, and especially in France, it was suspected that in fact no such formal document had been signed. That this belief was well founded is proved by the latest, developments (says the Daily Telegraph). It appears that the formal “Act of Abdication” was not. signed until 281 b November, at I lie Castle of Amerongen. Wiring from Amsterdam, Renter’s correspondent stales that j a telegram from Berlin says that, “in order to remove misunderstandings which have arisen regarding his abdication,” Kaiser William 11. lias, in a proper legal document, renounced. his rights to the Crown of Prussia am! the German Imperial Crown. The document inns; I hereby for all the future reno mice xiiy rights to the Crown of Prussia and my rights to the German Imperial Crown. At the same time I release all officials of the German Empire and Prussia, as well as all the non-commissioned officers and men of 1 he Navy, of the Prussian Army, and of the Federal contingents, from the oath of fealty which they have mode to me as their Kaiser, King and Supreme Commander. I expect of them that until the reorganisation of the German people they will assist those who have been entrusted with (lie duty of protecting the nation against the threatening danger of anarchy, famine, and foreign rule. Given under our own hand and our Imperial Seal, Amerongen, '-’S'li November, 1918. (Signed) WILHELM. It will be observed that, contrary to (he wireless message sent out by Prince Max on 9th November, in which he spoke of the Crown Prince also renouncing the throne, the exKaiser fails fo mention his eldest son or other members of his family. According to another Amsterdam message, it is reported from Berlin that the ex-Kaiser and Crown Prince have quarrelled seriously as a result ef the incidents which took*

place during the last few days of. the monarchy. It is declared that the Grown Prince strongly urged the Kaiser’s abdication, and himself desired to become Regent during the minority of bis own son, and thus to save the monarchy for the Holtonzollerns. It is further declared that there have been no personal relations between the ex-Kaiser and bis son since quite early in November. The ex-Kaiser’s conduct in running away at a moment when disaster had overtaken his army and people is bitterly criticised by Vorwaorts, which, in an article beaded, “Words to Royalists,” writes; “The Emperor’s behaviour has been nnkingly, unsoldierly, and unmanly, and has been a deathblow to the dynasty as well as to the monarchical idea. The worst enemies of the kingdom could not have inflicted mure severe damage to Germany. By leaving his hitherto victorious army without a word, ho put its discipline and loyally, even its love of country, to the most severe proof. The monarch must not behave like an irresponsible schoolboy.”