ABOUT THE ENEMY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 5

ABOUT THE ENEMY

GERMANY AND PEACE

CHANCELLOR’S STATEMENT.

< WE CANNOT DECLARE OUR,

PEACE TERMS.”

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and

Reuter. (Received July 11, 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 10.

Telegrams from Berlin indicate that Dr von Bethmann-llollweg in his speech Vi tho Reichstag said. “Wo cannot declare our peace terms.”

THE POLITICAL CRISIS

MOVE FOR NEW CHANCELLOR

VON HINDENBURG MENTIONED.

Router’s Telegrams.

AMSTERDAM. July 10. Dr von Bethmann Hollwegg’s opponents, representing all the bourgeois elements, have set to work to form a ■Treat bloc against, the juniors, which Sow include Socialists, Liberals, National Liberals and tho Centre, though a section of tho National Liberals it is understood ,still desires some annexations. ... ~ The conservative juniors continue to ridicule the idea of introducing political reforms while all the energies of the nation must be directed towards establishing hegemony by the Prussian sword in Europe. . • , Peace proposals and internal reforms will bo dismissed in the Reichstag today, when Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg will again speak. Herr Erzberger, who represents tho South German coalition, will voice tho agreement made between Austria, Bavaria and Wurtemburg. As a result of the bloc Dr von Bcth-mann-Hollwcg is without effective political support. Few newspapers are assisting mm. The general opinion m Germany is that Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg must) goCount von Bulow is regarded as a possible successor-. Others suggested include t,hc Bavarian, Count Hertling, and Count Roedern. The Kaiser, however, may prefer Field-Marshal von IPindenburg ns Chancellor, particularly as General von Ludendorff is Germany’s real military genius. It is understood that the Kaiser has not yet abandoned hope of saving Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg, trusting to contend against tho bloc. Great difficulty is being experienced in getting detailed news from Germany as the censor is stopping telegrams.

“MUST FIGHT TO THE LAST MAN.” , Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK. July 10. Dispatches received hero quote the “ Tagliehe Itundschau’s ” report of a speech by Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg at a. secret sitting of tho Reichstag committeo on Monday. The Chancellor said the policy of no annexations and no indemnities was dangerous and impossible. “Germany must Soffit to the last man.

Australian and N.Z. Cabin Association. (Received July 11, 11.30 p. m .) AMSTERDAM Julv 10. According to German Press reports von Bethmann-Hollweg in the Grand Committee of the Reichstag declared “We must continue the war wit]) all out energy. T am sure we can win if we hold out.” He considered it necessary to remain at his post .in order to protect tho Fatherland from injury, Germany could not declaro her 'terms of peace. She must fight and conquer. He concluded by strongly attacking Herr Erzberger’3 unpatriotic attitude.

KAISER AT CROWN COUNCIL

REPORTED RESIGNATION OF MINISTERS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

AMSTERDAM, July 10. It is understood that Herr Eragorger’s attitude is the resuit, or a long audience with the Emperor Karl, at Vienna, last wet-k. Almost, tho whole ol tho German Centre party strongly supports Erzbercer, only Ppahn. the chairman of the party, disagreeing. The Jsaiser presided at the first Crown Council since the war began. The Prussian and Federal Ministers were present. H is reported that the Kaiser accepted II cl fie rich’s and Zimmerman a resignations.

EVENTS MOVING RAPIDLY.

DEMOCRATIC CONCESSIONS. The Times Service. (Received July 11, 11.5 p.m.] AMSTERDAM, July 10. Events in Germany aro moving rapidly. It has been decided to grant substantial democratic concessions to Prussia, Liberal ministers replacing five Conservatives in the Prussian Cabinet. Von Bethnmnn-Hollweg remains Chancellor, but Dr Helfferich and Herr Zimmerman will resign, tho former becfiuse of tho failure of his food policy, and the latter because of tho failure of his foreign policy, tho Mexican incident, America’s intervention. Yon Bethmann-Hollweg' - s enemies attack him for sacrificing his pan-Gorman colleagues for saving his own skin. Tho majority loaders have drafted a. formula of unity. It is understood that it declares that Germany is waging merely a defensive war.

ERZBER GEE’S SUPPORTERS

MAJORITY OF REICHSTAG

"The Times” Service. (Received July 11. 8.30 p.m.)

AMSTERDAM. July 10.

Two hundred and fifty-three Deputies support Herr Erzberger. Tho only doubtful point is how far the conclusion of peace is bo'und up in tho democratisation of Germany. (Tile total membership of the Retells, tag .it 397.) AGAINST ERZBERGER. The Times ” Service, (Received July 11, 6,10 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 10. A Prussian Conservative syndicate is purchasing South German Liberal newspapers and endeavouring to destroy tho Erzberger movement.

EX-AMBASSADODR speaks,

REFORM OR DISINTEGRATION.

Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received July 11, 5.30 p.m.) AMSTERDADM, July 10. Another contribution to the campaign auninsb von Bothmann-Holweg is by Prince Lichnowsky, ex-Am mssador to London, who in an article dee the system of one-man Government 1 obsolete. Ho demands n constitutional pariamentary government, despite tho resistance of tho Junkers and Comervat ivos, otherwise, ho says, the country will to pieces. He declares that tie Kaiser ic far more constitutional than ho is supposed to be. He never interveiled personally in public affairs, apart from n few impulsive telegrams. . |

AUSTRIAN FOOD SHORTAGE.

PEOPLE GETTING DESPERATE. " The Timed ” Service. (Received July 11, 6.15 p.m.) ZURICH, July 10. During the debate in the Reichsrath deputics’from all parts of Austro-Hun-gary declared that the situation of the mass of tho population was rapidly becoming desperate. Galicia, tho granary of Austria, was completely hare and other, districts are faminestricken.

A German Socialist deputy said that the wrath of the lower classes could not bo kept down by bayonets.

AIR LOSSES IN JUNE

GERMAN CLAIMS

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and

Eeuter. (Received July 11, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 10. A wireless German official mossago says:—

The enemy in Juno lost 2LO aeroplanes and thirty-three captive balloons. Wo lost sixty-eight, aeroplanes .and three balloons.

INDUSTRIAL TROUBLES

. DISORDER'S CAUSE ANXIETY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 12, 1.25 a.m,.) LONDON, July 11. German telegrams show a renewal of disorders in industrial centres, causing great anxiety in official circles. The working classes are indignant at the distribution of food and stock, particularly tho reports that tho wealthy are hoarding food. Riots in tho great Rhineland industrial towns were unusually serious.