THE SORROWS OF BAVARIA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 July 1917, Page 3

THE SORROWS OF BAVARIA.

Bitter complaints are being made in Bavaria regarding the conduct of the war, and great hostility is being shown to Prussia. The reports of the last session of the Bavarian Banting make very interesting reading from this point of view. Through all the speeches the uneasy consciousness of the antagonism between North and South is apparent, not less apparent because members are for the most part anxious to deprecate it, or deny its existence. There is a skeleton in ihe cupboard, or, more truly, two skeletons, one economic and industrial, the other political. There is no evidence whatever that the Bavarian cherishes any sentimental loyalty for Prussia as the predominant partner in the Empire, though such loyalty doubtless exists for the Empire itself. The problem which will therefore confront the Bavarian people and statesmen willbe whether their country is to continue tied to a discredited Prussian kultur and policy, or whether the existing inequality in favour, of Prussia in the government of the Empire can be redressed. This question appears already to be occupying Bavarians. A pamphlet by Herr Sieger was recently published in Munich by the ‘/Union of South German Men.” It sots forth in the plainest terms the hopelessness of the Avar for Germany, and the need for the abdication by the Hoheuzollern family of the Imperial

title. The writer suggests that their place should be taken by the ruling house of Bavaria, the Wittelsbachs, and that, while resigning the grandoisc pretensions of the Pan-Germanists, efforts should bo made to incorporate Gcrman-'Austria in the Empire by its coalition with the existing Bavaria. The Prussian fabric of Empire shows signs, though only initial signs, of internal strain. Externally, the allies are bearing hard upon it, and it will certainly not emerge from the double pressure in the same condition as it stood before the war. Bavajria and the other States will do their best to secure that a defeated Prussia is not left with the overlordship which she has mis- ( used. And they will be right, for the spirit of modern Prussia is as disastrous for the internal well-being of 4 the German Empire as it is menacing H to the peace and development of * Europe. j <