16 OCTOBER 1926, Page 3

The resignation of General von Seecht, the Commander- in-Chief of

the German Reichswehr, is a satisfactory solution of an incident which, differently managed, might have been not only humiliating to the German Government, but injurious to the relations of Germany with other countries. General von Seecht very unwisely allowed a son of the ex-Crown Prince William to serve in a well-known regiment at the recent manoeuvres. It was a very unwise permission because it was an obvious encouragement to the monarchists in Germany, and such a thing should not have been done without the full knowledge and sanction of the Republican Government. It appears, however, that Herr Gessler, the Minister of Defence, had been kept in ignorance of the Prince's presence. When rumours reached him of what had happened he questioned General von Seecht, who had reluctantly to admit that the rumours were true. General von Seecht evidently expected Herr Gessler to protect him, but Herr Gessler refused to accept any responsibility, and the Commander-in-Chief thereupon tendered his resignation.