THE EX-KAISER.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1919, Page 5

THE EX-KAISER.

DETAILS OF HIS EXILE. STILL PROCLAIMS BIS INNOCENCE. Received April 110, 7."25 p.m. London, .March 31Mr Harold Begbie, tlie Daily Chronicle's correspondent, at Amerongeii, discloses intimate details of the Kaiser's exile aiul his personal views on the war. Mr Begbie says the Kaiser is entirely impenitent. He declares be strove harder than any man in the world to avert the war, and laughs at the idea of being tried. TJiere is no power on earth that can try him. He would destroy himself if be thought be would be arrainged at an international tribunal, because such an ordeal would be insufferable. "Only God knows how I strove, at my own peril arid the peril of the throne, to avert the calamity."

Replying to the question of the German plots, the Kaiser point.? out V ->t German manufacturers in 1914, wi'.ii ie War Minister's consent, supplied Russia with 3000 machine guns, half a million rifles arid four hundred million rounds of ammunition. He imperilled his thrtine by withstanding the general's demands for mobilisation in the early days of tlife crisis. Germany was the last power on the mainland of Europe to mobilise. He adds: I did not want war. George did not want war. The rulers were all dead against it. War was made by diplomatists. The whole guilt rests with, the Russian Government. The rivalry in the Balkans between Austria and Russia precipitated the conflict- Germany was drawn in because she was pledged to defend Austria. The Entente were seized of his tremendous power and aimed at the German Empire. Queen Victoria constantly warned him against the influence of Edward yil. She said: "Do not have anything to do with him. He will do you no goqd."

The Kaiser protests his love for England. The Kruger telegram was sent against his wishes, owing to Prince Hohonlohe's insistence. The Kaiser laughs at those who refer to him as an autocratic power. He was never allowed to know the generals' strategy or the true course of hostilities. The ex-Kai=er hotly resents the charge of organised ntrocit'es. aid says that the T/neitnniß was a srreat, blunder, but England's attempt to starve the women and children of Germany maddened the German peeonle. The exKaiser deplores Nurse Cavell's execution, which was ordered lw a general the worse of drink. The Kaiser ordered no more women to he shot without his personal sanction. He defends his methods in regard to the occupation of Belgium, and regards -Bolshevism as a criminal alias freemasonry, and freemasonrv for him is satanism. His love for Eno-land remains He continually exclaims: '''Can mv Enalish friends believe -he=e outrageous things about me." He then moans: "Those wonilerfullv hnppv days in England have gone, gone, gone!"—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANY'S COLLAPSE. PLOT TO SAVE THE DYNASTY. Berlin, April 7. r "'io Ereiheit publishes a memorandum recording Count Schelenburg's plot to save the situation on Nevember 9 Hir.denburg and General Groner visited Spa and urged the Kaiser to abdicate, declaring that the position of the army was hopeless. The revolutionaries were in power, and the army was untrustworthy. Count Schulenburg agreed that it was impossible to order the army to turn their backs on the enemy and march back to quel! internal revolution. He urged t.liat specially selected troops equipped with poison gas and flamethrowers be sent to Verviers, Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne. They could quickly restore order. The country would rally if tricked by the tale that the sailors and profiteers were cutting oil the condition of the army. The Kaiser fully agreed, but General Groner feared that things had gone too far. Wilhelm demanded Herr Groner's and Hindenburg's written opinions ou the codition of the army.

Geeral Groner answered: "The army can retreat in good order under its generals, not under your Majesty's leadership." Hindenburg said: "Abdication is an absolute necessity." The Kaiser replied: "If the higher commands declare that the army is no longer loyal I will go, but not before." Meanwhile the Chancellor's telegram regarding serious disturbances in Berlin arrived.

ARMISTICE PREVENTED GERMAN VICTORY. New York, March 29. The Berlin correspondent of the Chicago Daily News states that he has read letters from the ex-Kaiser to Dr. Schiedcmnn, of BeTlin University, in which the Kaiser says that the Freemasons started the war. The Americana intended withdrawing their forces from the west front in January 11)19, because of their terrible losse?. If the armistice had not been arranged the Rennan armies would have been victorious. The Social Democrats were responsible for the demoralisation of the German army. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.