English Palaces for Huns.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 281, 1 June 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

English Palaces for Huns.

AN ETLINGER DETECTIVE TELIiJ WHAT THE GERMANS INTENDED TO DO WHEN THEY REACHED ENGLAND

| LEARNED shortly after the out- •*■ break of war some interesting facts about the German plans in the event of their being aole .successfully to invade England. Charles von Weissenrode, a member of the Kaiser's general staff, wrote a pamphlet entitled "The German Army in England," which was a frank confession of what the Huns — especially those in high places—intended to do when they had carried out a successful invasion of England. Tiro Kaiser, however, would not allow the pamphlet to be published. The Emperor perhaps thought it might be wiser to wait until he was able to invade England lieforo allowing his post invasion plans to be made public. Some parts of the pamphlet were, as a matter of fact, later published in the form of a short article 'n a German paper. I, however, saw a copy of the complete pamphlet. It. was shown to me in proof by the manager of the pubishing firm who printed it.

accomplish in the first six months of tho war. The pamphlet, "The German Army in England,'' dealt wita many other matters relating to the German plans after tho English invasion. For example, how the Kaiser would make his triumphal entry into London was roughly outlined.

"It must be the most dazzling ceremony of its kind the world has ever witnessed," said Captain Weissenrode. "It would ho fitting that the leading English admirals and generals, together with the mot notable of the English Government, should be compelled to take part in the procession—not, perhaps, exactly a.s captives, bnt in smell a way as to indicate to the world how completely we had triumphed over the English arms on sea and land, and over the machinations of the English politicians ... I have heard that tho Emperor is giving great attention to this matter, and lias discussed 't with the officials who are arranging the programme of th« Emperor's triumphal entry into the English capital."

ZEPPELIN SHEDS NEAR LONDON. it appeared that one of the first things that the Kaiser's general staff intended to do after tho Germans had effected a successful invasion of Eng-, land was to seize and distribute among ' themselves and other prominent Gor- i mans a large number of the most not- ! able residences n England. it seemed officially settled that Eaton Hall, tho residence of the Duke of Westminster, was to be g'ven 10 Hindenburg; von Falkenhayn ■wa.s to have Chatsworth, the residency of the Duke of Devonshire; Count Zeppelin, it ap- j pen rod, desired to possess himself of Hatfield House. j "In the extensive grounds about Hatfield,"' said the writer, "some Zeppelin sheds could be easily erected; a! Zeppelin station so close to the English j capital, under command of the Count, j would no doubt have a subduing effect' not only on Londoners, but on the whole English population, who would know j that we had the power to smash Lon- j don to pieces at very short notice."' Very many highly-plated German officers, it seemed, desired to possess them- , selves, of Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough. " It i.s obvious," wrote Captain Weissenrode, "that whilst the dpi onlay be several officers in trie German army and i navy who may each have an euqally ( good claim to take possession of this J historic English seat (now held by tlio descendant of England's greatest gen- ! oral), it must bo left to the Emperor to decide in all such cases as to who is | to have the desired prize. Blenheim, I § am assured on the highest authority, ; will b.e granted by the Kaiser to the ' Crown Prince, who it is known has often spoken of it as the 'only English ! nobleman's seat that he had the least ■ desire to possess.' j

To seize and carry back to Germany many of the most valuable national treasures in England was also part of the ]«)st invasion plans of the Huns. PLANS FOR THE GERMAN ARMY. Among the treasures to be taken were the chief contents of the British Mu-eum, the Tate Gallery, the National Gallery, and tho Tower of I/ondon, and the priceless stained-glass windows in Westminster Abbey, Christohurch Abbey, and other churches were to be removed to Berlin to decorate an immense War Memorial Hall, where tin 1 treasures looted by the Huns were to bo placed. 'Possibly," wrote Captain Weissenrode, "it may be decided that we shall take these treasures also from the English in part payment of our indemnity —that is a detail—what is certain is that we must have these treasures and we will have them on our own terms."

!f the. Huns 'n their trenches- ever read Captain Weissonrodo's picture ot how tho Gorman army would be billeted when it occupied London they must regret almost as bitterly as their Emperor that their plans to invade England have never materialised. The main body of the German army was to lie billeted in the wealthier suburbs around London. "Our soldiers,"' wrote the. Captain, '' wil! bo comfortably billeted in tho substantial residences that abound in those suburbs. The owners of these houses will have to give up their best rooms to our privates, coiporals and sergeants and to provide for them at least three well-cooked substantial meals a. day . . . the English housewife will be kept very busy when we come to London, and woe betide those who grumble or who do not make our sokliesr comfortable."

BIG WILLIE IX WINDSOR CASTLE "There must not be," said Captain AVoissenrode in a later pa-ssage, " any quarrelling or disputing among ourselves over such matters when we get England, and the only way to preserve harmony and order is that the KingEniperor should decide who is to have any particular res'dence that may be wanted hy several." I may say that the seizure of all tho finest English county residences by the Germans was justified by Captain Wcissenrode on the grounds that they would Ik> taken in part satisfaction of the indemnity that Germany intended to levy on England. Captain Weisscnrole estimated that tho value of two Hundred of the largest and finest English country seats might amount to one hundred million pounds, about one-twentieth part of the indemnity that Germany intended to levy on England. "Wo shall see the dispossessed owners of these country seats," wrote the Captain, "scattered to tho four corners of tho earth like the French. 1 nobles after the Revolution." A remarkable passage in the pamphlet related to where the Kaiser would tarie up his abode during the time he spent in England alter the invasion. "There are obviously," wrote Captain Weissenrode, "only two places where the Emperor could take up his residence—Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. It would lie contrary to the dignity of his Majesty to occupy any place except the existing regular abodes of the English sovereign. . . Whilst, therefore, the Kaiser remains in London, which his Majesty would probably do for about three months after the conquest of England, he will be in residence either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The English Court wil! l>o transferred during that time to one of tho smaller royal palaces, either St. James or Kensington Palace." KAISERS ENTRY INTO LONDON. Absurd and ridiculous as these arrangements sound they were undoubtedly part and parcel of the carefully settled plans that tiie Germans intended to put into execution after their successful invasion of England, which, bo. youd question, they thought tliey would

Among the suburbs mentioned m the pamphlet were Goldor's Green, Hampstead, Bnxton, and Hammersmith. "Some of our so.'diers," wrote Weissenrcde, "know these. London suburbs well, and U will be a pleasant experience for them to return to them as the soldiers of a conquering army." A large numlter of German officers were to bo billeted in the West-End Hotels and in the best houses about the West-End.

"Our officers," says the pamphlet, will no doubt find themselves quite comfortable in tho houses of the well-to, do citizens of tho West-End. One can picture a proud peeress or her daughter looking after the preparation of our captain or colonel's sausages, eggs and lish with as good a grace as they may command."

Captain Weissenrode, when he wrote this pamphlet no doubt honestly and sincerely believed that it would ere long bo within the power of tho German to carry out all these plans and arrangements: indeed, there is very little doubt that most of the German high commanders, from the Kaiser downwards, cherished similar delusions. NO FURTHER DETAILS! What Captain Weissenrode thinks now about the matter I don't know, but 1 siiould imagine his sketch of what the German army were going to do in England must strike li'm occasionally as having been written rather too hastily. Perhaps he may sometimes feel that a sketch of what' the Allied armies will do in Germany would form a, topic of more immediate interest to Germans. Though the Kaiser would not allow the pamphlet to be published at the tune it was written, there is no doubt ho approved of it and intended to give permission for its publication at no distant date. The Emperor's private secretary wrote to Weissenrode to the effect that the Fmperor did not think it advisable that the pamphlet should be published just then, but said that before very Ion" the Emperor would be able to turnish him with other interest,ng details of tho German plans after they had invaded England. The time, however, never arrived for Captain Weissenrode with these "other interesting details, nor does it scorn ever likely to arrive.