THE CAPITULATION RUMOURS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 21, 19 October 1918, Page 7

THE CAPITULATION RUMOURS

DRAMATIC EXPLANATION GERMANY ON THE THRESHOLD '../.. OF BOLSHEVISM KAISER URGED TO ABDICATE ■ London, October 17. ■. -The political correspondent of • the "Daily News" says:."The secret of the German situation and tense pause which 1-ept-London awaiting events'far into tile evening yesterday have dramatic explanations. 'T learn from authoritative quarters that news has reached some members of the Government from neutral sources tliat, the German people arc convulsed , and the state of the country is;.on-the eve of an era of Bolshevism. The middle classes fear this ■will ■ prove ,a • disaster more dire than continuous defeats, and'might last for years.'' 'Therefore they are .urging tho Kaiser to abdicate. The slibrtage of ammunition, giuis, and raw materials, together with the -.demoralisation .of the armies increased by.tho peace' overtures, also the internal turmoil and the" fact that her allies are deserting Germany contribute'-' to. the potential reign of terror. The: awful casualties since March have caused widespread depression and anger. Soldiers are mutinying on parts of the front where the rot has set in. Elsewhere they are fighting.bravely. I have good authority for stating that the Gorman Socialists have organised. an emergency. \Socialist Governm&nt, and I are ready to seize the reins if the iKaiser's regime is overthrown." .

. Although the abdication rumours are riot confirmed, the correspondent knows from, an unimpeachable source that the Kaiser for some time past has been'removing 'many '-valuables to a ;house in Holland. 'Neutrals are now' clearing out of Germany as hastily as possible. —Aiis.-N.Z.' Cable Assn. .t, :; GREAT SENSATJUN LONDON PAPERS SELL LIKE WILDFIRE. London, October 17. The prevalence of reports of the capitulation and the Kaiser's abdication caused a sensation' in London last evening, papers sold like wildfire. There was , no -unusual demonstration, biit'igroiips'. assembled at various'centres' anticipating a deiinito announcement. The fact that .the meeting of the Reichstag wae postponed, coupled with the menacing advance of the Allies, has created a general disposition to believe that Germany will accept President Wilson's .terms. There, was an. air of great expectancy in the Parliamentary lobbies, where the report is ourrent that the Government has already _ received Germany's reply to President Wilson, and that a, statement would be made..in .the course of the evening.. The position really was that some of the current rumours hau reached' Government circles from other than iiews•paper sources, their place of origin entitling them to more than casual attention.' The;official denial late, in the evening allayed the excitement. It is believed in reliable quarters that while .the German reply will probaby constitute a further climb down it is improbable- that the Central Powers will for 'the present fully capitulate without a ■further attempt to seciire modifications. —Reuter. STREET FIGHTING IN BERLIN POLICEBADLY HANDLED (Rec. October 18, 11.60 p.m.)"' ' The Hague, Ootober 17. ' Street .fighting occurred in Berlin on "•Friday'and Saturday. It began with Nationalist demonstrations demanding the continuance of the war. These processions traversed the Wilhelmstrasse and Untor den Linden, and denouueed the Government. Counter-demonstra-tions were, immediately- organised on a largo scale. At first, they, were merely noisy. Then heavy fighting took place. The police were outnumbered, and - some were severely injured. Strong patrols of soldiers and mounted police rode through the crowd until, nightfall.—United Service. .