Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-25
DAYS OF HOHENZOLLERNS1
DECLARED OVER FOREVER
They're Through and They'll Never
Come Back, Study Convinces Famous
German Historian.

one idea-to negotiate with the repub-
lie and to get back as much of their
money as is possible.
And so they live on in their castles
and on their private estates. incapa-
BILE of work. or, rather, refusing to
make the effort. Such men as these
can never inspire their people with
ardent feelings of loyalty. For they
have allowed the last 10 years to pass
by without lifting a finger to win for
themselves distinction or fame. A
life that is both sullen and sensual,
given over to sport, rural pursuits,
travel and association with old officers
this they all have in common. But
when the need for united action arises
they are hampered and distracted by
the old traditional jealOusies and
feudS.
Service to Republic.
For this reason Hindenburg, whose
election we Republicans at first op-
posed. has done a greater service to
the republic than we ever imagined
would be possible. During the last
two years millions of people who used
to speak of German leaders with con-
tempt as Reds" have begun to re-
spect the republic.
They now look upon the new form
of government as something that can
be accepted, merely because the
kaisers old field marshal has taken
the oath to the flag.
In fact, one might almost say that
Hindenburg has made the republic
acceptable at court.
This, however, is immaterial. for
the peaceful return of the German
princes, achieved by means of a popu-
10, JnI Inv
of control, is as impossible as the
miracle of turning night into day. You
cannot lose an ancestral throne in
three days and then have it returned
to you by means of logic and legal
contracts.
1t is true that in Bavaria the hopes
of a small party are concentrated
upon the possibility Of union with
Austria. In such circles, composed
chiefly Of those who think of them.
selves before they think of Germany,
there is open talk of the formation of
a south German Kingdom under Ru-
precht of Bavaria. 1t is suggested
that in this way a Catholic alliance
could be cemented which would hold
the balance against the Professionalism
of north Germany. Fortunately, how
ever foreign opinion has realized dur
ing the last 10 years that a parti-
toned Germany would be much more
dangerous to world peace than a Ger
many that is peacefully united.
Depends on War Alone.
1t is war alone that can give the
HohenZollernS a chance to return. But
it must be immediate war. For this
reason the existence of these political
circles is highly dangerous, while the
permission to live in Germany.
granted 10 all princes, and, in fact,
applicable to the Kaiser himself, may
one day prove great mistake.
For when war breaks out the old
traditions now secretly cherished by
hundreds of thousands in Germany
will be revived. and kings once again
thus regain their prestige.
The princes, it is true, gave up
their power without a struggle, and
the consequences, therefore, were
peaceful. But an attempt to return
could never be made SO noiselessly
and without bloodshed.
Twenty million Republicans, a third
of the whole nation. have for the last
nine years been schooled and organ.
lied for action. Previously, as the op.
position, they were much more pas,
siye. Now, however, they will shoot
where the princes did not shoot. And
they will fall in battle, But they
know now that it was the kings who.
welding autocratic power, used to
send them to their doom.
This has nothing whatever to do
with the question of war guilt in the
last war, but expresses the national
division on the question of war in
general
Millions Share Opinion.
Today it is an opinion shared by
millions, with the result that more
and more of the old monarchists are
beginning to admit to themselves, IL
not to others, that neither the advan-
tages of having king at a wedding
or a military review nor the pleasures
of court balls and the bestowal of
court orders are sufficiently great to
outweigh the disadvantages of an in
evitable civil war, the results of which
would be unaccountable.
For this reason one cannot do more
than hope that Hindenburg will live
to be a hundred. He inspires the
monarchlst element of the population,
who are in the majority, with the feel
ing that he represents the invisible
legendary king who lives at "Kuff-
hauser" and whose beard grows
longer and longer as the years go by.
That he should be turned down at
the next election is impossible. He
viii remain President until he dies.
After his death it will not be a noble
man or a general who will be elected.
but man from the middle classes,
perhaps even Catholic. In neither
case will the republic be in danger.
CDR l..
"putsches'
Germany is at peace, and because
she works she flour:shes.
The house of Hohenzollern has done
more for Prussia than for Germany.
The 200 years of their history show
that they rose to princely power in
Germany from their more humble
origin as margraves in Franconia, the
present Bavaria, by energy and thrift.
Thus, while Austria expanded by the
lntermarriage of her princelings, Prus-
STA grew by conquest. The Hohen-
zollerns were conquerors, but their
methods can scarcely be blamed. since
the Europe of that period knew no
other.
Father Laid FOundati !.
Concerning the genesis Of their rise
to power, it is a highly deba table
point whether Frederick III was
rightly named 'the Great" The pros
and cons Of this question depend en-
tirely upon the angle from which it
is viewed.
One thing. however. is certain--it
was not Frederick. but his father, who
laid the foundation Of Prussia's great.
ness during the eighteenth century
For the latter was a conscientious
ruler, thrifty and decent man, cour-
ageous but not brilliant. 1t was he
who developed and gave expression
to everything that is now regarded as
typically and additionally Prussian,
while his more talented and fascinat-
Ing son, imbued with French ideas
and in his youth so antagonistic to
. his FL knL: q lc.it.a hi. ir,.,