AUSTRIAN DISORDERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16118, 24 January 1918, Page 7

AUSTRIAN DISORDERS.

WITH THE ENEMY.

STRIKE MOVEMENT SUBSSDSf^G.

ALL QUIET ON THE WEST FRONT.

4th YEAR—l76th DAY,

AUSTRIAN UNREST

GOVERNMENT CAPITULATES TO

STRIKERS.

(iiy Cable. —Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and Cable Association.) LONDON, January 22. The Amsterdam correspondent of tio ' l>aily Oirouiele'' reports:— The Austrian strikers behaved m an exemplarv fashion, and avoided disorder. Tliev continued absolutely necessary work" and traffic, and ooserved penect discipline. . , The. workers presented a united front, and the Governmont was taco.i vith a serious situation. The Government's hasty climb-down demonstrated the workers' strong position, and their determination to bring matters to a head. Count Czernin (Prime Minister ot Austria-Hungary) realised that it was advisable to emphasise in the most direct terms that the Government of tho Dual Monarchy stands by the policy of peace without annexations, and swiftly capitulated to the Labour demands, including women's suffrage. Seldom has any Government climbed down to such an extent-. Tho policy of the proletariat may bo summed up in three words—peace, bread, and freedom, and the greatest of these is peace. No doubt tho. recent spoeches of Mr Lloyd George and President "Wilson frodueed a great effect in Austria. Workers' deputations repeatedly told the Ministers that the proletariat regarded theso utterances as outlining a basis on which a general peace should be discussed.

The speech of Hitter von Seidler (Austrian Premier) to the Labour loaders was remarkably conciliatory in tone. Ho declared that the Government continued to aim at nxspeedy general peace. The Entente Powors were blameworthy if only a separate peace with Russia were immediately secured. Ho disclaimed aims of conouest. Other representatives of the Government nromisocl food reforms, the extension of the organisation of municipal suffrage, and votes for women. The workers then withdrew, and decided in favour of the resumption of work. STRIKE MOVEMENT SPREADING. (Australian and N.Z. Coble Association.) (Received January 23rd, 9.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 22. Despite an extremely severe censorship, it is evident that the strike is spreading. All the industries in Lower Austria are now affected. The figures regarding the number of strikers are excised, though occasional censorship oversights suggest that 10 per cent, of the people are now on strike, including those in the most essential war industries. Eight thousand strike leaders met in Vienna to formulate plans. There have been violent collisions between the strikers and the police, especially in the Ringplatz and the Opernplatz. Much looting has occurred at food stores and many arrests have been made. The anti-German bitterness is growing. SERIOUS SITUATION IN BUDAPEST. (Auetralian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 23rd, 9.30 p.m.) BERNE, January 22. The earlier optimistic reports from Austria are believed to have been duo to Austrian and Swiss propaganda. The "Neue Stenachten" says that the movement has spread to other large towns. The situation in Budapest is serious. Industry is almost at a standstill, shops are closed, and tho tramways have stopped. Collisions between the police and crowds in Vienna and Cracow (Poland) continue. ALL STRIKES CEASING. ("The Times.") (Received "January 24th, 1.1-j a.m.) LONDON, January 22. Vienna messages state that tho Emperor Karl has refused Ilittcr von Seidler's and Herr Wekerle's resignations, and has commanded them to retain their Ministries and accede to tlio popular demands regarding food, oxtension of the communal franchise, women's suffrage, and civil control of industry. Ritter von iSeidler further announced that the Government aimed at a speedy general peace without annexations, permitting Poland to settle her own relationships with Austria. All the strikes aro ceasing and work is being resumed. HURRYING TOWARDS A CRISIS.

LONDON, January 22. The Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily News'' states _ that AustriaHungary is fast hurrying to a crisis. Large masses of ,the population are in a state of incipient revolt against Germanic domination. Thcv believe that the dictation of the German annexationists at Brest. LitoTsk is defeating the chances of peaco. BAVARIANS ANXIOUS FOR PEACE. ("The Times.") BERNE, January 22. Revolutionary feeling is extending in Bavaria. _ . , A prominent Socialist, interviewed, stated that the common people of Bavaria want, above all, peace; yofc a pre-

mature peace would be a catastrophe, because it would leave the Junkers and their dupes unbroken and unconverted. "The Bavarians do not care a hrass farthing about Alsaee nor the swollenheaded Prussians' plans of annexation. Prussia has been our curse since 1871," he added. BERLIN JOURNALS SILENT. AMSTERDAM, January 22. Berlin papers, except tho_ Socialist journal "Yonvaerts," exercise complete silence. j "Vonvaerts"' regards the situation 1 with extremo gravity, and expresses tho opinion that Austria is turning f.gainst the veiled annexationism of the German policy. Vienna telegrams state that in consequence of the Government's promises to speed up ail honourable general peace, improve food conditions, and grant a democratic suffrage, the Austrian strike leaders have recommended : sn immediate resumption of work. However, the workers are disregarding their leaders' and strikes are extending. THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. AMSTERDAM, January 22. Count ven Toggenburb is forming an Austrian Cabinet. Herr Wekerle, the Hungarian Premier, has also gone to Vienna to offer tho Cabinet's resignation. SITUATION INCREASINGLY SERIOUS. AMSTERDAM. January 22. The latest reports from Vienna describe the situation as one of increasing seriousness, and indicate that the workers arc disregarding their leaders' advice. If the report of Ritter von Seidler's resignation is confirmed, it will be clear that the Government assurances have not clearod the situation. ATTEMPT TO SOLVE FOOD PROBLEM. LONDON, January 22. Mnny shops in Vienna have been barricaded, their owners fearing pillage. Workers assembled in thousands in the main streets, and formod masses across the tram lines, stopping traffic. The authorities are urgently calling for increased food supplies from Hungary. They arc hoping that supplies will arrive in March from tho Ukraine, if the waterways are free. Meanwhile, Germany is being asked to sond meal, but apparently she is unable to do so. , GERMANY'S WORLD WAR PLOT. NEW YORK, January 22. The ' Now York World" prints a suppressed article from a Berlin paper, wherein a former commercial magnate, August Thyssen, stated: — "Many Germans in J.yi2 were askod to support the Hohonzollern war policy, and were offered rich rewards. The Hohenzollerns said that war had become a necessity for the preservation of the military system. They offered me a grant of 30,000 acres land in Australia, and a loan of 750,000 dollars to develop the land. Other firms were promised special facilities in India. A syndicate was formed for the exploitation of Canada. It was calculated in Germany to conquer Australia, India and Canada, by tho end of 1915. The promises were made by Herr Bethmann-Hollweg, and confirmed by the Kaiser." Herr Thyssen adds:—"When asked to guarantee 1,000,000 dollars war loan in 1916, I doclined, whereunon my war contracts were cancelled, and my business was ruined.".