In Germany the total number of votes cast for and
against the confiscation 'of the imperial and princely properties only slightly exceeded the minimum required to be cast in favour, if the Referendum was to be effective. It has not been a dignified busineis. There was an orgy of extreme propaganda on both sides. The best feature has been the huge number of abstentions. Some of these were due to instructions from party leaders, and the Roman Catholic authorities 'forbade the faithful to vote for spoliation. We cannot see how the nationalization of all this property could have greatly helped those miserable victims of the War, and of subsequent inflation of the mark, whose poverty was held up in comparison with this wealth of their ex-rulers. On the other hand, the Kaiser, his family and the ex-reigning Princes can have but little use for a great deal of the property, such as palaces and castles, which would be better put to any public use for which they may be fit. The Monarchists' cause has not gained in popularity and they can have little reason to rejoice in their negative victory. Some form of gradual appropriation with compensation will probably follow where there are visible advantages.
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