THE NEUTRALS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 7

THE NEUTRALS.

PLOTS AGAINST NORWAY. •10 VESSELS DISAPPEAR. PUBLIC GREATLY EXCITED. (By Cable—Press Association —C-opyripbM (Australian and N.&. Crvblo Association.! CHRISTIAN lA. Juno 20. Tho rccent discovery of explosives continues greatly to excito tho public Over a ton was found in a loft, partly in bulk and partly in infernal machines, or made to resemble lumps of coal. In most eases these had been opened, as part of tho contents was missing This shows that the explosives were not being merely sent to Finland. The censorship forbids a full disclosure of the facts. t It is pointed out that 40 Norwegian steamers liavo disappeared since the beginning of the war, without leaving a trace. If sunk by mines the crews would have had timo to get into the boats, but violent internal explosions would explain tho mysteries. A FURTHER. DISCOVERY. JOHANN FABER'S "PENCILS."' (Router's Telegrams.) (Received June 27th, 6.35 p.m.) COPENHAGEN", June 2G. Two hundred and eleven bombs were found in seven trunks at tho Christiania station. Included were many glnss tubes of acids which would c-auso tho bombs to cxplodo at varying times. Packages of fountain pens and pencils, stampod Johann Faber, and ( packets of alleged chewing tobacco, were also discovered. All these were different forms of bombs filled with high explosives. INVASION OF FINLAND. GERMAN PREPARATIONS THWARTED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Asaocia'.'on ; (Received June 27th, 8.15 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, June 2G. Tho "Tidens Tegn" states that Pehrsion, one of the Finns arrested, was tho second leader in the bomb plot, and belonged to a Finnish brigade formed in Germany for the purpose of preparing for a German invasion of Finland. Pehrsion and 40 compatriots began their preparations in Finland in 191G, but were detected and fled to Sweden. Germany has demanded Baron von Hautenfels's release. ATTITUDE TO GERMANY. POSSIBLE RUPTURE OF RELATIONS. PARIS, June 26. French newspapers 6peak of tho possibility of a German-Norwegian rupture. They mention a report that Admiral von Heintze, tho new German Minister in Norway, which has not yet consented to tlio appointment, is only going to Christiania to deliver certain Apparently these are connected with the opening of the German official mail, whoreby the German plot against Norway was defeated. KAISER'S COURIER ARRESTED. COPENHAGEN, Juno 26. Baron von Hautonfils, who was arrested in Christianja, in connexion with tho discovery of stores of explosjves, was employed as the Kaiser's courier. GERMAN MINISTER RECALLED. AMSTERDAM. June 26. Owing to Norway's insistenco ; Germany has recalled Herr Michaelis, the Minister at Christiania. who, it is alleged, was concerned in the German conspiracy against Norway. Herr von Heintze, the Gorman Minister to Mexico, whose recall Carranza has demanded, will succeed Horr Michaclis. BERLIN DEMANDS AN APOLOGY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, June 26. ■ The "Petit Parision" states that tho Berlin Cabinet demands an apology from Norway for opening a diplomatic valise which revealed tho plot involving Herr Michaelis. CRISIS IN SPAIN. EXTREMELY CRITICAL SITUATION. MADRID, June 20. Owing to strike threats tho Spanish Government has suspended the constitutional guarantees. Good judges beliovc that the insurrectionary movement is scotched, but not killed, and may at any timo provo too strong for tho" dynasty. The situation is extremely critical. Last week King Alfonso only saved tho Crown by his celerity in accepting tho demands of tho discontented militarists. The great body of politicians seem tired of the King and his clique, who arc accused of favouritism. Tho army revolt was due. to officers with friends in Court circles being promoted over older men, irrespective of merit. Tho leaders of tho malcontents were arrested, but their comrades declared that unless they wero released they would bo liberated by force. THE LIBERALS DIVIDED. COUNT ROMANONES RESIGNS. MADRID, June 27. The. differences of opinion among j the Liberals are increasing. I Count do Romanones has resigned tho leadership and has advised tho formation of a directorship, composed of the leaders of the different sections. A REVOLUTION IMMINENT. MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED. (United Service.) (Received June 27th, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. The position in Spain remains clouded. The Ministry explains that it in-1 stituted the censorship in order to allay j the prevailing uneasiness. The newspapers are prohibited from publishing news regarding tho Army or proclamations of strikes or torpedoings, and are debarred from commenting on the war. The Government has filled Barcelona with soldiers and is controlling other

revolutionary centres under martial lat*. The "Daily Mail's"' Madrid correspondent says that tho majority of tho politicians are tired of Alfonso and his clique, and it is agreed that they must go before long. Summarising causes of the late revolt, the correspondent states that although Alfonso and the Government capitulated and released the implicated officers and Army suspects, they would go back on their word at tho first favourable opportunity, and banish or imprison tho leaders and officers of tho Committee of Defence. Therefore tho Army is on its guard. Politicians who are endeavouring to make capital out of tho situation have left the Government party and are solidly supporting a change of regime. They are determined when strong enough to depose the monarch and proclaim a republic. Senor Maura, n former Premier, i< considered likely to head the. revolutionary movement. SUSPENSION OP GUARANTEES. THE FREMITI'S EXPLANATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received June 27th, 8.15 p.m.) MADRID, Juno 2G. The Premier, Senor Dato, states that comments in n section of tho Press, which were compromising Spain's neutrality policy, and also the professional agitators' eountrywido alarmist campaign had necessitated tho suspension of constitutional guarantees. THE SWISS SENSATION. HOFFMANN'S SUCCESSOR APPOINTED. (Australian and N.Z. Ca.ble Aflsocia-.iun } (Received June 27th, 8.15 p.m.) BERNE, Juno 2G. Tho Federal Assembly has elected M. Gustavo Ador to succeed M. Hoffmann as Minister of Foreign Affairs.