The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-06-04


 The German navy, his special pride, was bottled up and the allied blockade slowly strangled the life out of the German nation. When the "Hindenburg line' was broken, in which American troops partici- pated, he began to see the hand writing on the wall As the tide turned against Germany, a crown council was held August 18, 1918. He was told that his ally. Austria Hungary had started negotiations for separate peace; that there was discontent in his realm; that Berlin crowds had demonstrated for re- public. Nevertheless, he issued proclamation urging the nation to fight on to victory"
 THE HOUSE FALLS
 On Nov g, Prince Max of Baden, the Chancellor, urged Wilhelm to abdicate. The Kaiser said he would deliberate: but the Chancellor did not wait for the reply. Later in the day, he proclaimed that the Emperor had renounced the throne and the Crown Prince the succession. He said regency would be formed but the social democrats in turn pro claimed republic. On Nov Il the armistice was declared.
 FIEES TO HOLLAND
 After Wilhelm signed his abdica- tion on Nov. g, he entered an auto mobile and sped across the Dutch frontier to the chateau of Count Bentnick at Amerongen. He re- mained there more than year; then purchased an estate at Doorn. The Versailles peace treaty placed the blame for the war on Germany. On Jan. 20, 1920 the allies made formal demand that the Nether- lands deliver Wilhelm Hohenzol- lern" into their hands in order that he might be judged before an inter national tribunal Holland refused on the ground that the country was not party to the pact.
 EXILE
 Wilhelm remained in secluSion at Doorn. The new Germany republic passed law forbidding him to set foot on it's soil. He grew a beard and wrote his memoirs. Fiercely, he defended himself and Germany against the verdict of war guilt and declared his conscience was clear. He got solace from his lifelong interest in religion; he had en- braced the Protestant faith early in life. Occasionally, he preached on Sundays in a little church if no visiting clergyman happened to be present.
 For exercise, he chopped trees and sawed wood As he grew older, his physical activities ceased and he de- voted himself to his extensive rose gardens.
 SECOND MARRIAGE
 Tragedies in his family interrupt ed his early exile. Prince Joachim, his youngest son, committed suicide in July 1920, which caused him great grief. The former Kaiserin, worn and home sick, died April II, 1921, after 40 years of married life. They had six sons and one daugh- 1 ter.
 On Nov. 5. 1922. he surprised the world by marrying for a second time. His bride was the widowed Princess Hermine of Reuss. His family objected but later became reconciled.
 HIS DECLINING YEARS
 The world heard little of him as life began to fade. On his 10th birthday in 1929 all his children, grand children and relatives went to Doorn to help him celebrate amid all the splendor of imperial days. Subsequent birthday celebrations were held regularly and the towns folk congratulated him.
 Hopes for a return to power rose and fell from time to time. But when Hitler assumed power in Ger many the Nazi leaders dashed his hopes by declaring: Hitler is not just keeping a seat warm for Hohenzollern."
 When the new European war started in 1889 the former Emperor evinced much interest and followed the troop movements with his mili- tary maps. But nothing ever leaked out of Doorn as to what his thoughts were.
 WILHELM, THE MAN
 Trained from babyhood in school of imperialism he lived up to his education The memoirs of his oldest son pictured him as a stern father, an emporer by divine right rather than an indulgent