ABOUT THE ENEMY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 7

ABOUT THE ENEMY.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received May 16th, 8 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 15. The Prussian Lower House read a third time tho Electoral Reform Bill by 236 votes to 185, but with the equal suffrage clause deleted. The Progressive Poles and Social Democrats opposed tho emasculated Bill. The Minister declared that tho Government had employed all constitutional means to carry equal suffrage, and failing the acceptance thereof within a definite period the House would be dissolved. (Received May 16th, 8.30 p.m.) ROME, May 15. Tho gravity of the internal conditions in Austria is illustrated by a meeting representative of all classes at Trieste demanding succour.

The notice calling the gathering stated: "Trieste is without reserves or resources. We refuse to die of starvation. Even people who were rich before the war now live by begging or public charity. Malnutrition and hunger prevent tho workers from doing their daily task. The statistics ot sick and dead are terrifying." ' (Received Mav 16th. 8 p.m.)

LONDON, May 15. An Agram (Austria) newspaper draws a terrible picture of tho distress in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, the journal states, is worse even than that of Galicia and Bukowina. Whole districts have been devastated and depopulated. Numerous inhabitants who departed died in internment camp?, and those remaining were by the Austrian soldierv or died of starvation. Deaths exceeded births by 5000 in 1915 and by 23,711 in 1916. the mortality not including those who fell on the battlefield.

The whole of the live stock was destroyed and consumed by the army, and it is impossible to cultivate owing fo the absence of oxen.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 16th, 7.30 p.m.)

LONDON, May 15,

A Budapest telegram states that no formal treaty has thus far been drawn up between the Central Powers, and no alliance is contemplated for defence against any possible coalition of Powers, but. it is announced that there is no intention of, frustrating the establishment of a universal League of Nations with which a new alliance can bo connected. THE EMPERORS' CONFERENCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 16th. 7.30 p.m.) BERNE. May 15. The Munich "Neueste Nachrichten" referring to the Bavarian King's visit to German Headquarters for participation in the Austro-German negotiations, states that the hour is grave, and Bavaria cannot allow Prussia to be the sole arbiter of Germany's destinies. The King of Saxony is proceeding to Headquarters for a similar purpose.

Despite the Kaiser's announcement, the "Nachrichten's" Vienna coriospondent states that the Emperors renewed their alliance for 25 years, and also arranged for closer military union. German newspapers state that the Emperors' Conference appointed Kings of Lithuania, Courland, ESsthonia, and Poland.

PARIS, May 15. The "Matin's 1 ' Zurich correspondent states that the Emperor Karl returned suddenly to Vienna. .1

_ German newspapers are apparently dissatisfied with the results of the conference between the Kaiser and the Emperor.