Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-03-01
Kaiser Wilhelm Strongly Objected to
Abdicadon Intrigued With Royalists--
Hindenburg Is Supporting New Order

and finding his kinsman s eyes set
on him in an iron-like stare, turned
his head aside and rose to his feet. He
walked up and down the room for a
few moments without uttering a word
llHe then turned and exclaimed: eyes
u viii abdicate and after the armis
Itice is signed l shall gather enough OF
Imy royal regiments to enable me to
flight the rebels. l shall never give up
claim to the throne of my fathers.
/ 81 advise you not to entertain such
thoughts replied the prince sternly
l"The army is not in mood to fight
for your throne"
/ 81 am certain that the greater part
Officers, and will, in the end. rally to
our support. All we need is a little
Ifirmness.
Until then / had never seen Prince
Max utter an angry word. But the mo-
lment had at last arrived. He was angry
beyond description. He raised his
voice and leaning across the table ad-
dressed the emperor as though he was
talking to foolish boaster. He said:
-"You speak of the royalists support
ers. Now listen; Forty five of them were
ARRESTED yesterday and fifteen were
shot this morning, and the orders to
execute the rest have been signed and
perhaps now they are shot. Do you
realize what that meansgN
Tho ctr hnolx hnrror
stricken by the stern words of his
klnsman.
SsAnd who has signed the order for
their arrest and executions2" he
shouted. He was dazed
Hindenburg Supporting New Order.
Hindenburg has signed the order.
Hindenburg has also written letter
to Herr Ebert, pledging his unques-
toned support to the new order. He
has already recognized the new govern
ment. Thearmy, too, is with the new
government. My resignation is not an
nounced yet, but to all intents Herr
Ebert is the head of the new govern
ment. For Gods sake do not talk
about fighting the socialists. Your talk
about civil war will mean the order
of your own execution. Wilhelm, you
were unwise in corresponding with the
royalist officers. Your correspondence
with them and with Hindenburg have
been intercepted by the socialists. You
are standing on the brink of death
Abdicate, for God 8 sake, for your
sake and for the sake of your family,
and get out of the country if you
can.
The empress and Duchess burst into
tears. They sobbed pitifully. They
asked Prince Max repeatedly, "What
can we do? What can we do? But
Prince Max stood silent and motion
\ less, his gaze fixed on the emperor in
the attitude of awaiting his decision
| At this juncture Prince Henry Of
Prussia entered the room. Earlier in
the day he had wired that he was COM
ing to Wilhelmshoe. He came upon his
relatives at critical and dramatic mo-
ment. The emperor was standing re-
garding Prince Max in kind of hor
ror-stricken amazement He seemed to
fear his kinsman. Both the empress and
llt uuCltb5 WClC Uu IL oOll WCPlnR duu
sobbing and muttering indistinct words
as though to themselves. Prince Henry
first went toward his niece who rose
and put both arms around her uncle 3
shoulder. Prince Henry kissed his
niece while she exclaimed in tears:
+" Uncle, uncle, where can we go, what
can we do "
Prince Henry Anxious to Flee.
Prince Henry taking his niece in his
arms turned towards Prince Max and
the emperor and said, cit is all over
for us. 1t is better that we leave the
Fatherland at once | found it diff
cult to reach here. There is blood in
the hearts of the rebels.
The emperor must have felt as the
he was struck with a second blow and
expected to see him collapse at any
moment.
There was silence for a few moments
then. the emperor walked over to hit
brother and said; "Henry, l realize
that we must go. Let it end. Let u'
say no more about it" He then turn
ed to Prince Max. and said: "Max,
am thankful to you for your services
wish you farewell.
The two kinsmen shook hands and
in half an hour Prince Max departed
from the palace.
The next two days were spent in
packing. The empress's jewels were
packed in eight iron boxes and forwar-
ded by special messengers to banker
in Holland. On the third day we all
left Wilhelmshoe; the empress and her
daughter for Elizabeth Palace while
the emperor left for Spa
Kaiser Hatches Plot of His Own.
On November 3rd, the emperor ad-
dressed a group Of officers in words
like these:
"I have not the slightest intention
of abdicating. appeal to every off
Ger to stand firm to the end against
the threatening socialist rebellion. AS
the Highest War Lord of my Empire
feel it my duty to defend the throne
Of my fathers to the end. On the day
of my abdieation anarchy and lawleJ'
ness will break out in every corner Of
my empire. The strong hand Of a
monarch must save the Fatherland
from ehoasA j am working gladly
and harmoniously with the new govern
ment and have already advised ser
ereal of my ministers to assist the new
government with I'll their might"
I teard those words with my own
ears and from that moment my faith
in the words Of my. emperor We're shat