REPORTED ABDICATION DISCUSSED.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 December 1918, Page 6

REPORTED ABDICATION DISCUSSED.

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 3

A message via America states: The r ' Manchester Guardian" comments: The Kaiser's formal abdieation te tardy, and this document, was executed as recently as last Friday. He issues it under "our imperial seal." The Crown Prince has not so far executed a similar deed. It is natural to conclude that he reserves his claim as heir to his father, and is wanting an opportunity to enforce it. The '' Daily Express'' referring to the Allies' demand for the surrender of the Kaiser by the Netherlands says: The opinion is held that the Netherlands will not put. difficulties in the way. Wilhelm's position will be analagous to that of a pirate or slave trader who is not granted sanetuary by any country. The "Morning Post' 'says: It is possible the document purporting to be the Kaiser's formal abdication is genuine] and it is equally possible that it is nothing of the kind. In either case the instrument contains no word concerning the secession of the dynasty nor is it countersigned by any responsible official, It is also worth mention that it, was signed when there was a popular clamour for extradition. The hospitality of Holland has been abused. German advices state that the flight of the Kaiser is condemned in many quarters, particularly among the soldiers. Dr. Steinager, Professor of Law, writing in "Der Tag," says: No criticism is too strong, because the Emperor's action was unkihgly. unsoldierly. and unmanly, and served to give the death-blow to monarchial ideas of Germany. A monarch cannot run away like a schoolboy. If he thought himself incapable of retaining his position, the battlefront offered him the opportunity of at least making a kingly and dignified exit." ANOTHER STORY OF THE ABDICATION. PAEIS, December 3. Persons living in the Chancellor's house revealed that Hindenburg arranged the Kaiser's abdication On November Sth, after half an hour's i discussion in a bedroom of the Hotel Britanque, at the end of which the Kaiser reappeared, stepped info a motor car without a word of. farewell to his staff, and went into exile. AMSTERDAM. December 3. T?h? Eateor, i::r«7Viowecl, declined

to take responsibility for the war, and declared that Count von BethmannHollweg and Hen von Jagow were responsible for the policy. They sent him unwillingly to Norwoy to prevent his intervention at the pre-war crisis. Count Hollwcg denies this.