POLITICAL CHAOS IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3065, 28 April 1917, Page 9

POLITICAL CHAOS IN GERMANY

DISUNION, CLASS-HATRED AND ' INDUSTRIAL UNREST

REACTIONARY PARTY RALLYING •"••' Amsterdam, April 26. % German newspapers disclose a chaotio political situation. .While! .the _ ArmjT leaders -are boasting of victories on the Western front, the situation in Germany is characterised by disunion, tho rising of class hatred, and unprecedented industrial unrest. The strikes were undoubtedly more serious and prolonged than wore admitted, and work has not yet been fully resumed. _ : -.. ■ After a stormy meeting the Reichstag adjourned, despite the Socialists demanding an immediate debate on home and foreign affairs. Both Socialist groups voted against the Government. It is evident' there has been a strong rally of the .reactionary forces, which still intend a peace with annexations and indemnities. The reactionaries exercised such pressure on the Government that Herf Bethmann-Holl-weg has been thrown over. The PanGerman newspapers angrily denounce tho Socialist peace proposals. Professor Sckiedemann, the-Kaiser's confidential adviser,. states: "A peace that : leaves us without-gain, of territory, without colonies, would be treason towards the future of Germany. It will be impossible to hear the load of taxes if there .are ho indemnities." He angrily denounced the adjournment of; the Reichstag, and says: "A'hply war is being preached' against' Germany throughout the world, opening prospects of decades of fighting'which wiU end in ' Germany's total'- destruction." On the other hand the Russian revolution opens a prospect of a speedy world peace. This ideal of a Socialist Russian" revolution fills' many millions of Germans' with great Enthusiasm."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ''

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE STRIKERS "DISHONOURABLE, PERFIDIOUS' OFFENDERS." ... Amsterdam, April 26... • Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg has instructed the Governors of'the Federal States that proceedings will be taken against the authors of,the munition strikes. The "dishonourable and perfidious offenders" will be _to "the utmost possible punishment."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn." ' GERMAN PEACE MOVEMENT IN SWITZERLAND, A REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA". Washington, April 26. The State Department has been informed that the Germans havo formed a committee in Switzerland to prppa; «ate Republicanism, and work for. peace. Herr Meyer, a-former editor of the Berlin "Morgenpost," is benevedi to bo its loader. From other sources tho State Department learns that the Germans are. increasingly, anxious for neace. The bread rations/have been reduced. The: strike .'of 250,000 labourers in Berlin is really an" anti-war move.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.