EXILE FROM GERMANY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 6

EXILE FROM GERMANY

Though there may be various reasons for his lack of faith in the future of the German State with the Nazi dictator in control, Prince Eitel Friedrich, second son of the former Kaiser Wilhelm, obviously prefers refuge in neutral Switzerland to the risk of remaining in Germany. He has lost much of the luxury to which he has been accustomed in providing Hitler with armaments, but he prefers a frugal and safe existence abroad to the lowering skies of his hoipe country. The inner thoughts of this proud son of the once proud Imperial house of Germany would be interesting. And what of the old man who is spending his declining years in the quiet retreat of Doom? What are his thoughts of the new Germany that has risen from the ashes of the old Imperial Germany, of which he was the supreme ruler? He probably realises that old heads cannot be placed on young shoulders; if they could the younger German dictator might listen to soulful advice froiji the exile of Doom. The Germany of Wilhelm’s days was probably mightier even than the Germany of today, but its cause was just as ill-founded and it fell before the wrath of the greater part of the world. Certainly Wilhelm and Eitel are powerless now to turn the upstart Hitler from a resolve just as ambitious, as pitiless and as contrary to international morality as the resolve that found expression in the calamity of 1914-18. If Holland’s worst fears are realised the aged Wilhelm may yet again feel the heavy hand of an invader’s oppression. It seemed, once, that he was destined to end his days in the peace and security of friendly and considerate Holland. But after 25 years the hounds of war have again been unleashed, and already they are baying along the borders of Wilhelm’s neutral retreat. Will Holland become another Belgium? And will the ghost of a dead past come back to haunt a war-weary and dispossessed old monarch and cause another flight to save what remains of his life? Wilhelm and Eitel can be thankful that sane and sober Holland and Switzerland are merciful, neutral and firmly resolved to protect that neutrality from the new Teutonic menace.