Evening star., 1923-11-13
Member Of the Associates Press.
Holland and the Ex-Kaiser.

William Hoherzollern, former En-.
peror Of Germany. has received pass.
ports for himself and suite from the
government at Berlin permitting him
10 return from Holland. This is the
startling news that comes from over
seas today. news that viii cause world.
wide speculation as to the meaning.
AN official statement at Berlin denies
that the former kaiser has been in
vited to return. But according TO the
news reports preparations are in prog
ress at Doom fer departure.
When William and his son fed from
grand headquarters on the eve OF the
aruisttce in 1918 they went into IIoi-
land as the nearest place Of refuge
There they found sanctuary, as Hol-
land was a neutral nation, and their
confidence was justified by the punctili-
Gus care taken by the government at
The Hague 10 safeguard their rights
as politica! fugitires. II January,
1920, about fifteen months after they
Lad fled, the allied powers made formal
demand upon Holland for their ex-
tradition for trial, particularly the
kaiser. Holland refused on the ground
that the IiohenZollerns were in its ter.
t.tory as d sanctuary, which could not
be violated. The allies protested this
reply, but in March. 1920, received 4
second refusal to hand over the fugi-
hvcs for justice. The Netherlands gov
ernmcrt. however, promised to take
all necessary measures to minimize
the liberty of the former kaiser and
prevent him from e1dangering the
worlds peace.
The demand OF the allies for the Der.
sons Of I1ohenzoilern and his son as
war criminals was believed at the time
TO be not altogether sincere. 1t was
felt that they were probably not dis
tressed when Holland refused, for the
trial Of the kaiser would have been a
difficult thing to handle and quite un-
certain as to its outcome. The feeling
was general that the allies were as
we'll content to leave William in IIoI-
land as to hale him to an international
court for judgment.
In refusing to eXtradite the Hohen-
zcilerns Holland did not definitely as
sumo their custody in the sense of
guaranteeing against their flight. Still
! the obligation has been presumed, and
on several occasions the government
at The Hague has imposed restrictions
upon the freedom OF these unwelcome
guests. OF late, however, these restric-
tions have been relaxed, and as
climax the former crown prince was
permitted the other day, evidently
without any attempt at restraint. to
slip over the border into Germany, al
though the council Of ambassadors at
Paris had made protesting representa-
tons to The Hague in the light Of
obvious preparations for his flight.
When he was reported to have left
Holland the French ambassador at
The Hague gave expression to the sur-
prise and pain felt by the French gov
ernment, and, according to the dis
patches, his protest was received with
distant expressions OF dis;nterested.
ness.
If now the ex.laiser is allowed to 60
from Holland the question will arise
as to that country's liability. But there
is no likelihood of reprisal. The allies
will not carry the war into Holland"
1t is with Germany that their business
will lie.
. Re-cstablishment Of the monarchy in
Germany under the IIohenzo,ierns be.
comes a possibility. and a new interna.
.tional issue Is created which will pro-
woke intensely bitter controversy if it
does rot threaten E-ar-reaewal.