ABOUT THE ENEMY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 9

ABOUT THE ENEMY

AUSTRIA'S NEW RULER. A PROCLAMATION. Reuter's Telooramii. AMSTERDAM. November 23. The Austrian Emperor issued a proclamation on ascending the throne. He sa jcl ; "Our aim has not yet been reached and the illusion of our enemies that they will overthrow my monarchy and my allies is not yet dissipated. I will do all in my power to obtain peace as soon as the honour of our arms and conditions of life in my countries and their allies and the defiance of our enemies allow." CHARLES Yin. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. BERNE, November 23. The new Emperor of Austria will, take the title of Charles VIII. •

THE KAISER'S MESSAGE. FRANCIS JOSEPH'S VIRTUES. " The Times " Service. (Received November 25 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. The Kaiser telegraphed to the Emperor Charles:—"The reign of Francis Joseph will live in story as a period of blessing. We of the younger generation regarded his venerable figure as an examplo of the finest virtues in rulers." Charles replied thanking his "dear friend" for his sympathy and promising rockliko loyalty to tho Alliance. THE MASS LEVY. BILL TO BE RUSHED THROUGH. Australian and N.Z. CtHlo Association. (Received November 24, 10.55 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 24. Tho German Federal Council has approved of tho Compulsory Labour Bill, to which it was expected, there would be considerable opposition, including the Socialists and Poles. Tho Government has arranged to pass the Bill rapidly through tho Reichstag during the coming week, indicating tho urgent need of men. MORE SLAVE RAIDS. AUSTRIA DEPORTING SERBIANS. ROME, November 23. Austria is deporting a thousand Serbians, including women .to work in munition factories, hoping thereby to liberate during tho next three months a hundred thousand Austrians for active service. BELGIUM'S BURDEN. LEVY INCREASED. AMSTERDAM, November 23. Germany has increased Belgium's monthly ' levy from 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 francs. MACHINE-GUN PERSUASION. AMSTERDAM, November 23. Deported Belgians refusing to work have been sentenced to two months in gaol. The Brussels streets are lined with machine-guns to overawe the people. REFUGE HALLS. METHODS IN MUNICH. ZURICH, November 23. The municipality of Munich is establishing refugo halls fitted with stoves for the purpose of counteracting the absence of heat-producing foods, cooking appliances, literature, writing materials and children's games.