PLOTTERS AT WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10274, 8 May 1919, Page 7

PLOTTERS AT WORK

REPLACING THE KAISER STBENTTOXXS EFFORTS MADE. There can lie no doubt that the movement in Germany to replace William of Hohenzollera on the throne is developing, and that the intrigue will not cease nor be reduced to negligible proportions until the Kaiser is assigned a safer residence than Holland and a more adequate guard than the amiable Count Bentinok and six Dutoh gendarmes (writes the Amsterdam correspondent of the "Daily Express"). , "While the Allies are discussing -whether the Kaiser is to be hanged or only shot, and seem to be unable to settle this momentous question, the Kaisers supporters in Germany are busy. Cleverly enough they take advantage of the numerous failures of the Sooialist Government to drive into German heads the idea that "after all tne Kaiser is a.ot so bad if you compare what he did before the Va'r with what our Bod blunderers are doing now." Preposterous as the idea is, it is making considerable headway, and there are signs that the Kaiser is slowly regaining some sort of popularity. All the non-Sooialist papers now refer to him. not as "the ex-Kaiser," hut as. "Kaiser Wilhelm." Addresses of sympathy have bean circulated all over Germany for signature, and sent to Amerongen on William's birthday, which was formerlv a German national holiday. The "Deutsche Tageszeitung" is starting an agitation for the creation of a "Hohenzollern State." All this seems to show that very many people in Germany, after having had a taste of republicanism, are already sick of it. The chief counts against the Kaiser were defeat and his flight to Holland. Every one—excepting, of course, the Socialists—is now trying to convince the world that his flight was inspired only by the loftiest patriotism, while the "Entente fable" of Germany's defeat has long since been disposed of by the Socialist Government themselves. WIPING TOE SEATB.

"The Kaiser did not floo to Holland," declare the propoganda makers, "but only retired to a neutral country beoauae he believed, with Hindenburg, Groener, Solf, and Prinoe Max, that this was the best way to serve his country." Credulous Germans are anxious to believe thein, and so the Imperial elate seems to have been wiped clean once more. ' - ■'... Publio opinion is thus being slowly prepared for a possible restoration of the Hohenzollerns. There are two obstacles to overcome —the army and the workers—but an overwhelming majority of the army are really pro-Kaiser, Mid there is no telling how much sincerity and firmness there is in Labour's pre3ent denunciation of tho Imperialism, which they served with such amazing devotion only a few months ago. Therefore, as long as the Kaiser is permitted to remain within twenty miles- c <.of,, the/ German frontier, the Gorman! Republio is rot safe-

William himself may be sick, dejected, and disoouraged. He has the best ieasons in the world for remaining quiet just at present, for he knows that the majority of Hollanders are only awaiting a suitable opportunity to have him expelled. Even if he does nothing, howover, his presence so near is the best encouragement to his supporters in their work. • THE NEW CRUSADEESI- ! ;" Another form of propaganda muoh in Tavour in Germany is being conduoted by men dressed as monks, who visit the smaller villages as "Crusaders of the Imperial Gospoi." Several "monks" reoently visited farmers in Oldenburg known to be pious, and impressed on them end tneir families that Germany could only be saved by the return of the Hohenzollerns.

There are many of these monks about Germany, who preaoh', all ,tha moro-elo-\juently, as they are handsomely paid Dy the "Bund der Kaisertreuen" (Bond of Those Faithful to tho Emperor). Their propaganda is slow, uphill work, but effective. It impresses the farmers, and still more their wives.* They say: "Compare Germany under William and Germany under Ebert.** .Tuey . c t?rrlflo predictions in case a Kaiser does not return "to the German throne, suoh &b bad crops, foreign occupation, and epidemics, while they say things will adjust themselves prosperously otherwise. Most of them are wise enough not to proacli openly for William himself, but merolv for "A Kaiser." Their chief argument is always that.. Germany must be strong, respected, and feared. This kind of tali appeals to every German, whatever his party. "PITY THE POOR KAISBR."

Many Hollanders and other neutrals who have recently visited Germany note a substantial change in the people's attitude towards their former monarch. A wave of pity is passing over the land. "Our poor Kaiser; we. have been' unfair to him," is a general saying. If the Kaiser were a captive in St. Helena or anywhere else outside Europe, under the guard of Allied, cruisers. Ibis sudden pity might be viewed with Equanimity, hut; he as onlv ono hour's run by motor-car from his former realm. Kaiaerism will not be dead in Germany until tho head of tho Hohenzollorns is 6ent to some military island' in some distant part of the world. His German partisaus want Amorongen to, bo Ms isle of Elba, and are working hard to secure that lis sojourn thero shall not be too long.