MURMURS IN AUSTRIA.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3223, 16 January 1917, Page 2

MURMURS IN AUSTRIA.

LON G-SUFFERING SOLDIERS JOIN ITs T THE PUBLIC OUTCRY

A sidelight on the increasing demoralisation of the Austro-Hungariaa population is shown by a Tetter deceived in Paris by the Czech National Council.

Written from Pragitfe to a Czech prisoner in Italy, it says that all the Czechs are now convinced that Austria is lost, and this opiniou is openly expressed. The polico and the judicial authorities realise that if all those who use subversive language were arrested and tried it would be necessary to incarcerate the whole nation, and the army as well. The soldiers who return to Prague are in a pitiable state, and one soldiar said : —" Ihey have nothing to eat. A single Russian could 'eat up' ten such maimed men." Yet these men arc being sent to the front again. Disaffection is rampant, it among the military men, and a wounded lieutenant was heard openly describing, in a railway carriage, the sufferings and misery undergone by the soldiers, though a superior officer was within hearing in the corridor. In Prague hotefs there" is often no bread for the breakfast of the hotel staffs. Thia "card system" is also for meat, beef costing 12 kronen (about 10s) and pork 11 kronen per lb. A kilogram of rice (about 21b.), which formerly cost about 3£dj is now sold for 2s 6d.

Other provisions have advanced proportionately, and butter, formerly it Is 2d, now commands from 5s to 6s A fair meal in a resaiirant cannot be obtained for less than 6s.