MAXIMILIAN Prince and formerly heir presumptive of Baden, a German statesman, born July 10, 1867. He was president of the Upper Chamber of Baden in 1917 and in an address made at that time he indicated that his views on the war were moderate. This led to the belief that he would be acceptable as a spokesman for Germany in dealing with the Allied nations. On Oct. 2, 1918, he was made Chancellor of the Empire. His position was weakened by the pub lication of a private letter in which he ridiculed the sincerity of his previous profession. Maximilian on assuming office at once began negotiations for peace. On Oct. 4, 1918, he appealed to President Wilson for immediate institu tion of peace negotiations. This was followed by an exchange of notes between the German Government and President Wilson. On the day following the send ing of the first notes, Maximilian ad dressed the Reichstag and indicated a disposition in which he declared his argeement with the program of the majority parties in the Reichstag for a conclusion of peace on moderate terms.
Constitutional reforms were at once in stituted under Maximilian's direction. Before these could be carried into effect, however, there was an internal collapse )f the government. On Oct. 27, 1918, General von Ludendorff resigned. This was followed by a revolt of the German fleet and the seizure of Kiel by the Soldiers' Council. On Nov. 8, 1918, Maximilian resigned, but his resignation was not accepted. On November 9 he published a decree declaring that he would remain in office until the setting up of the regency had been settled. He was succeeded on the following day as Chancellor by Friedrich Ebert.