THE CROWN PRINCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 110, 19 November 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CROWN PRINCE.

IS HE ALU*; OR DEAD?

The London "Globe" recently published the loilowing translation oi the text of a remarkable manifest issued by a French patriotic association, " La Haine Fiancaise," repeating the death of the German Crown Prince:—

Let us prove the death of the Crown Prince, Let us prove to Germany how she has been tricked. When, last autumn, the Crown Prince was mortally wounded by a German bullet, precautions were badly taken during the first stupefied moments, and the rumour of his death quickly spread. Understanding that herein lay a grave danger for the empire, it was decided to "resurrect" him. The press then published stories of a mysterious masked, wounded pereon, attended at Strassbourg by a ttelgian doctor, who was not sworn to secrecy. That was the first stage of the return to life . The illustrated newspapers then published numerous photographs, more or less "faked," representing him in an infinity of attitudes. People began to become accustomed to the idea of his be. ing alive. How could anyone suspect after the bluff of the Christmas pipes? (TransMor's Note. Last Christmas the German soldiers received pipes as gifts from the Crown Prince.) Thus did the resurrection come about. Only—nobody sees him! That cannot last. The well-known scene between the father and the son, terminating by rigorous confinement, is believed to be the solution. Error again. Events arise which create fresh difficulties. On the occasion of tho Bismarck anniversary he only sends flowers. He does not appear. On the occasion of the birth of his daughter but a little later the Kaiser (continuing tho colossal bluff) decreeu that every soldier in the army who has already received the famous pipe shall be the child's godfather. Meanwhile we learn, in proof of his great vitality, that the behaviour of the Prince is scandalous —to such an extent that his wife demands to be allowed to return to her mother. One can understand that she should be really heartbroken over the macabre comedy. At tlie moment the Crown Prince is being represented as restored to his command, and is even saddled with the mistakes of his general staff. But he does not show himself, any more than his brother, whom the fear of a similar fate has caused to be placed in safety. One no longer hears anything more about them, 60 dashing at the beginning of the war, any more than of the Austrian heir-presumptive since the time when he was wounded.

Germany has within her own borders the proof that she is being imposed upon. Let us compel her to demand the sight of tho living Crown Prince. Once this lie lim been avowed the eyes of a people fatigued by hunger, misery, and mourning may perhaps be opened. Let each airman who nes over their country drop on cities and in country districts documents revealing the facts —innocent papers perhaps more formidable than the most powerful explosives.