Evening star., 1926-03-28
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

- ERMANY'S forthcoming pleb-
iScite on confiScation of the
properties of former ruling
~ houses is expected at Wash.
ington to disclose an over
whelming sentiment in favor of the
republic. The monarchist- militariSt ele
ment is certain to put forth a her
culean effort on behalf of dethroned
kings, grand dukes and princes. But
the best opinion here. American as
well as German. is that the people
will show by their ballots that crowned
heads in Germany have been deprived
of their royal rights once for all. y
competent authority puts the repub-
lican strength in the Fatherland today
at 80 as compared TO 20 for monarch
ism. Three years ago, the percentage
probably was 90 for the republic and
40 for the monarchy. Republican stock
has risen mainly on account of Prest-
dent Won Hindenburg's administration.
Americans recently in Germany,
who had access to some of the inner
most monarchical circles. have come
home with stories that deep-laid con-
crete plots to re-eStabliSh the throne
are under way. They concern the per-
son of younrg Prince Wilhelm of
HohenZollern, the youngest son of the
former Crown Prince. Wilhelm will be
II years old on July A, 1927. 1t seems
to be recognized that Germans under
no circumstances would permit the
former Kaiser or Crown Prince 10
ascend another throne. But the mon
archical crowd is flirting with the no.
ton that Prince Wilhelm might have
a chance to become hereditary ruler"
of a constitutional German monarchy.
The young mans mother, the former
Crown Princess Cecelie, Is said in par
ticular to cherish that ambition for
him.
Trouble. Three Years Hence.
The monarchist- -militarist clique is
making the utmost capital out OF eX-
isting economic conditions in Ger
many, and particularly of the irk-
some burdens imposed by the Dawes
reparations plan. To date, under the
administration of the young Amerl-
can financier, S. Parker Gilbert, at
Berlin. the Germans have lived up
TO their Dawes plan requirements III
letter and spirit. But three years
hence, when the plan calls for an
nual German payments of 1000, OO0,OOO
gold marks for a long period dli-
| ferent situation will be at hand.
/ Already even Germans loyal to the
! plan foreshadow that the provision
! for another inquiry into German
capacity to pay will have to be
i invoked and literally interpreted. II
| if is not. the opportunity for trouble
| and crisis will arise without ques'
! tion. - A.. ON,
! Hindenburg celebrates the f1rst an
niversary of his presidency on Marcn
! 80. Europe and the rest OF the Worlu
tremhled when the old field marshal
| tool, office. But it is now acknowi'
edged. virtually on all hands tha'
he has been an agreeable disappoint'
| ment to those who expected tnat
Hindenburg presidency at : Beriln
j meant gradual restoration OF tne
mailed.fist regime. The generaiss1lno
If Cermany's vanquished World war
armies has made no concessions u
his former MISUNDERSTANDING Gro
| nies On patriotic occasions linden
burc dons uniform and medals, ano
| once in a while makes soidleriy
| utterance that stirs sorne of the pre-
| war fervor. But he remains incor
rightly loyal to his oath to the 're
publican constitution.
When the republic was in its swad