ABOUT THE ENEMY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16204, 6 May 1918, Page 7

ABOUT THE ENEMY.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.£. Cablo Association.) LONDON, May 3. Tho Amsterdam correspondent of tho "Daily Chronicle" Etates that tho Prussian Diet's rejection of tho ono-man-one-vote proposal by a huge majority caused a sensation, and brings Count von Hertling face to face witli a crisis which is bound to have a serious influence throughout Germany. Subsequent to the adverse vote, the Government announced that an immediate dissolution would not bo in the intorosts of tho State, and indicated that it hoped to arrive at a compromise. Thero is tremendous tension in tho countrv.

Tho Zurich correspondent of the "Morning Post" soys that the German nowspapers in Austria aro becoming increasingly truculent, and have practically issued an ultimatum to Rittcr von Seidler, demanding that they shall have greater influence a nd power in tho Government, and demanding the restriction of tho freedom of the Czech and Jugoslav Press and tho right of public assembly. (Renter's Telegrams.) BERNE, Muy 3. A strike on the Dornbrown coalfields began on April 4th, and extended over the whole coalfields. Tho severest repressive measures proved unavailing, and finally tho Austrian authorities suspended the entire passenger traffic on the railway. (Received May sth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 4. The "Daily News" Geneva correspondent states that the political cconomio tension in Austria is intense. Fully a dozen crises confront the authorities. Representatives of the subjugated nationalities expect the inevitable collapse momentarilv.

Vienna correspondents state tliat tho unrest is widespread. April was the most critical month of the war poriod.

Work was suspended on May Day. There were 22 demonstrations in Vienna and 58 in the provinces, at which peace and better conditions for labour wero demanded. There were no serious disturbances.

(Received May sth, 0.0 p.m.)

AMSTERDAM, May 4

The "Frankfurter Zoitung's" \ienna correspondent states that a big movement is developing among the Germanspeaking provinces of Austria in favour of secoding from Austria-Hungary and joining tho federation of tho German States.

The arrests in the Ukraines have excited bitter feeling in Germany.

Socialist Deputies intend interpellating Count von Hertling. The Government, in consequence of the criticisms, sent a wireless message to von Eichhorn to immediately release those arrested. It is stated that von Eichhorn, and also von Mumm, Ambassador at Moscow, will be summoned to Berlin to report exhaustively on tho whole situation.

The entire Liberal Press of Germpny has joined the Socialists, and accuses the authorities of causing an anti-Ger-man agitation in the Ukraine for its own ends.

"Vorwaerts" says that the methods employed have resultod in a great political disadvantage to Germany, who has not secured a single piece of bread from the Ukraine, whereas the whole German food programme is founded on the supposition of getting ample supplies of Ukranian grain.

Herr von Waldow, Food Director, announced in the Reichstag that it would be necessary to reduce the bread rations unless the stipulated quantities were imported from tho Ukraine. Rations of meat and potatoes would most likely be lowered.

Socialist members expressed tho opinion that tho people would take a reduction in the food allowance badly.

The foot! position in Bavaria is most serious.