Germany -- History -- Revolution, 1918; Germany -- Politics and government -- 1918-1933
They could guess that Kaiserism was dead and gone and Junkerism down
and out. But even so picturesque and positive an event as the fall of
Kaiserism had been only baldly mentioned in a bare telegram of a line
or two. How could the British public realise that the Black Eagle of
Prussia was no Phoenix and that the blaze of November 9 had left
nothing of it but a bad odour and a white feather.
But in Berlin there could be no doubt. Kaiserism was dead--deader even
than Tsarism--because the Kaiser was still alive. His shot-shattered
and mob-swept palace was the only reminder of him. And every Berliner
had more or less vivid recollections of his fall, recollections too
lamentable, too ludicrous, to allow of any restoration of the Kaiser
legend even now.
After reading your morning paper about revolution in Dublin and revolt
in Glasgow and reconstruction in London, as you walk down to your
office past the Dutch decorum of Kensington Palace, the Scotch
skimpiness of St. James's, or the generous Germanosities of Buckingham
Palace, does it ever occur to you to wonder what goes on in a palace
when there is a revolution?
Well, this is what happened to the Kaiserschloss in Berlin on November
8.
The curious crowd that always collects outside the house of anyone
mentioned in the papers, whether it's an absconded postmaster or an
abdicated potentate, found that the sentries no longer challenged
them, and first filtered, then flooded into the inner courts.
Thereupon the police and guards left, and the palace remained in
charge only of the Kastellan and a few servants and soldiers. All
doors were kept locked, and beyond some shouting everything was
orderly, for the prestige of the Imperial precincts still prevailed.
Then one Schwieringer, not otherwise distinguished, made his way to
the Kastellan and got leave to address the crowd from a window. Having
draped the balcony with a red cloth borrowed for the purpose, he
declared the palace national property. This broke the spell somewhat.
The rest of the soldiers left, and the crowd became noisy.
Late in the afternoon came Liebknecht, who engaged another balcony,
borrowed more red curtains, made another speech, and after holding a
sort of levée in the Throne Room left again. Later came soldiers and
hoisted a red flag. So far the Kastellan had remained master of the
situation, conducting his unwelcome visitors through the rooms,
unlocking and locking behind him as on ordinary occasions with any
ordinary tourists.
Then on November 10 came one Bujakowski, with a Slavonic eye for the
possibilities of the situation. Having collected such soldiers and
civilians as were hanging about, he made them a speech, and called on
them to elect a council, and himself Commandant of the Castle, which
they did. He then said he must have a suitable uniform. The council
agreed, and appointed a delegation to make selections from the
Imperial wardrobe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account