PEACE BY UNDERSTANDING

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1918, Page 7

PEACE BY UNDERSTANDING

GERMANY DISCOURAGED CHANGED TONE TOWARDS THE WORKERS ' ; ' '. ... ■ '~yS^ DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR (keijtbr's telegram.) / (Received September 16, 8.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, 15th September. The Berlin Tageblatt reports remarkable proceedings at a trade union deputation to Count yon Hertling (Imperial Chancellor) on the 12th September. 'The spokesman said the people had become seriously discouraged; by recent events, and felt they were economically sinking. The food continued bad and dangerously insufficient; and prices were extortionate, and consequently the bodily strength of the workers was declining. They must have more meat and potatoes. Workmen's trousers, which used to cost four marks, now cost sixty; ' they lasted only quarter of the time, and could not be mended. The people's anger over the Prussian suffrage question had reached boiling point. The military censorship and martial law lay heavy,' and the trade unions urged that, now that theexhaustion of our enemies had begun, and the break through had failed, it was time for peace by understanding. Count yon Hertling assured them that the political leaders and the High Command were striving for such a peace, and unanimously opposed conquests. As regards equal suffrage, he repeated the promise that if the Upper House failed to agree-to the proposal, the Landtag would be dissolved. Herr Wallruf, Secretary for the Interior, promised that the military authorities would reconsider the / right of meeting and .the censorship. Hen- voiT Waldow. Secretary for Food Supplies, said that it was impossible to get more food. Meatless day must continue in order to ensure the milk and i'at supply. / The potato crop was worse thun last year, and the corn only 15 x pei' cent, better. ' ''■'■' Baron yon Stein, Secretary of State, stated that substitutes for clothing must.be utilised: Colonel Braun. of the War Office, promised to examine the question oi shortening the working hours, but this was impossible in the mines. Socialist Deputy Legien, replying, said the Ministers' statements as regards food and hours showed that the situation was hopeless. The workers could not work the present hours. (Received September I<s". 9 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, 15th September. Count yon Hurtling told the trades union leaders that the war would not last, a moment longer, than was absolutely necessary for Germany's defence. Ec iwiifirtontlv hoped that they were nearer peace than was generally believed. HerrEiVbovgc-r (Leader of the Centre Party) 'told an interviewer that it was possible that the longed-for peace would com© in a short time. . " '"" (rettteb's telegram.) (Received September 16, 8.30 a.m.) I AMSTERDAM, 15th September. The Independent Socialists introduced a motion in the Berlin City Council requesting the invitation of peace discussion owing to the daily increasing distress, the reduction of the entire standard o£ living, the increase in criminality, and the increasing death rate.