THE REICHSTAG SUMMONED.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15772, 13 December 1916, Page 9

THE REICHSTAG SUMMONED.

MYSTERIOUS SECRET REASON. GREEK POSITION WOT YET CLEARED UP ROUMANIANS RESISTANCE. HEAVY TAXES ON TOWNS IMPOSED BY THE CONQUERORS. BIG GUN DUELS IN THE WEST. (3rd YEAR— 135 th DAY.)

WITH THE ENEMY. REICHSTAG TO MEET. .MUCH INTEREST EVOKED. ißv Cable. —Press Aseociation. —Copyright.) (.Australian and N. 2. Cable Association.) {Received December 12th. 5.45 p.in.) AMSTERDAM, December 11. • Members of the Reichstag were summoned by telegram. The gathering is expected to be the most rcmarkablo meeting since the outbreak of war. Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg's action was taken with the full agreement of Vienna, Sofia, and Constantinople, where similar action was adopted simultaneously. HOLLWEG'.S AIM. AMSTERDAM, December 11. The summoning of the Reichstaf* eamo as a surprise, and caused much excitement in Germany. It is believed that Dr. von Beth-mann-Hollwcg intends to declare 5* manv's Avar aims to impress neutrals with the idea that the Allies, and not Germanv, are responsible for continuing the struggle. A secret conference of all the federal States was hold to-day.

MUCH SPECULATION. MANY RUMOURS CURRENT. (Australian o.nd N.Z. Cubit! Association.) (Received December 12th, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 11. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent states that Berlin continues to be feverishly excited in antieipsrtion of the meeting of the Reichstag. A semi-official statement has added fuel to the flames by declaring that not only will it bo the most remarkable meeting since the war, hut that it also will be of world-historic importance. Every kind of speculation is rife as to what c&n be meant. The Imperial Government is conferring with all the leading statesmen of all the States, who have been summoned to Berlin. Another remarkable procedure is that all neutral ambassadors have been invited to meet Dr. von Beth-mann-Hollwcg this evening. Dr. von Zimmerman, the new Foreign Secretary, -will meet the party leaders tomorrow morning, piMor to the gathering of the Reichstag All the deputies, including those in the field, were summoned by wire. Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg, at one o'clock on Saturday, telegraphed instructing tho President to summon the "Reichstag. The public is commenting on the fact 'that this action was taken immediatelv Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg returned to Berlin from the Army Headquarters, where an important conference has been held, at which the Kaiser Mid King Luchvig of Bavaria participated. Rumours as to what Dr. von .Bethmann-Hollweg's speech will touch upon range from peace proposals to the establishment of a new Balkan Confederation. The favourite idea is that it will deal with the promulgation of a separate peace with Roumania and Kinj: Ferdinand's deposition in favour of a Hohenzollem no- ; mince. j A scmi-official communique warns the j public against- believing rumours, as the strictest secrecy is being safeguarded. A FOOD CRISIS.

HINDENBURG'S HOPES. OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST. NEW YORK, December 11. Carl von Weigand, special correspondent of the "New York World," states that he interviewed Marshal von Hindenburg, who reviewed the fighting, and claimed that Germany was in a strong position. The interview does not refer to Verdun, but the German Commander-in-Chief" says that Germany is preparing for a big blow on the West front in the spring. He admits that tile Germans on the Somme were inferior to the Allies in artillery, but contends that the position is changing, and the Entente's superiority numerically, will not be sufficient to protect the smaller States. Carl von Weigand says that Marshal von Hindenburg, tho Kaiser, and their staff occupy a secluded position on a large estate. The interviewer askod: "What are tho prospects of peace?" and Marshal von Hindenburg replied: "Ask the other side."Von Weigand: Am I to understand that you are ready for peace? Marshal von Hindenburg: 'When we have impressed our will on the Entente, and when tho Entente realiso that they cannot crush Germany, agree to Germany's integrity being preserved, and admit her to equal rights with other nations in world trade.

ABUSING BELGIUM. PROTESTS IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, December 11. There is an extensive movement of the churches to protest against the Belgian deportations. Several of the churches have passed resolutions condemning "Germany's crowning atrocity," and urging President Wilson "to take action which the Kaiser will not fail to understand." It is authoritatively stated that President Wilson will not participate in the peace movement, which is calculated to defeat its own ends and render the United States liable to a ohargc of partisan interference. INCREASED LEVY REFUSED. (Router's Telegrams.) HAVRE, December 11. A conference of the Belgian Provincial Councils refused General von Bissing's demand for an increase in tho monthly levy from 10,000 to 50,000 francs.

| POSITION IN BERLIN. (AnstraJian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December 12th, 8.15 p.m.; LONDON, December 11 The "Daily Chronicle's'' Amsterdam correspondent states that the "Tagliche Rundschau" has a desperate, almost threatening, article upon Berlin's food less plight. Tho article says that the scarcity lir.-s reached a climax in the supply of bread. For weeks past one part "of the city or other has been failing constantly to secure supplies. Fish is now one of the most important foods, but no fresh fish is available, and tho price of smoked fish is six times the normal price. Apples alone are obtainable in reasonable quantities. Small cauliflowers are selling at 22d apiece. The writer urges the seizure of all the Berlin stocks of food and their sale to the people direct, and emphasises the growing popular belief that tho Government is behind these difficulties in the hope of making tho people agree more readily to the communal feeding system.