GERMANY'S COMPULSORY CIVILIAN SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10526, 2 December 1916, Page 5

GERMANY'S COMPULSORY CIVILIAN SERVICE.

LONDON, Dec. 1 Dr. von Bethmann-Holhveg, in introducing the Compulsory Civilian .Service Bill, indicated that voluntary means would be utilised for carrying out the mass i<2\y before compulsion was applied Tho speakers generally approved the Bill, but a representative ot the Socialist minority declared that the party rejected tho measure because it deprived workmen of the right to choose their place of abode. Even it tin enemy wore in Germany he could not treat tho population worse than the Bill proposed. Tho re was a g ea| commotion and angry protests. Continuing his speech, Dr. Mollweg said: "We are ready tu terminate the war by a peace safeguarding our exist-once and our future.'' Hen- von Stern, Minister for War, Hcrr Ilelfforich, Minister for Einjiic--, and Hcrr Bassermaim strongly endorsed the Bill. General Grocncr created a sensation in the Reichstag by crying: "I promise that just as Roumania has fared. England will fare, too, then later the whole bunch."

FRANZ JOSEF'S FUNERAL. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. VIENNA. Dec. 1. Vast crowds who were waiting all night long wore permitted at dawn to file past the Emperor's corpse. The police imprisoned leading ana rein'.-Is and revolutionists to safeguard visiting monarch?;. The late Emperor's heart in a silver urn will be placid in the chapel of the Augustinian Church, beside those of previous monarchs. The body will be buried in the vaults of the Capuchin Church, be.-ide the Empress and Jate Crown Prince.

A wireless message from Berne states that Franz Josef's funeral took place on Thursday afternoon. The precession left the Chapel Royal, where ih< coiiin lay since Monday, and traversed Vienna by a circuitous route to St. Stephen's Cathedral. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses and was surrounded by forty-eight soldiers of the Imperial Guard, eight torch bearers, and eight pages carrying crucifixes. Cavalry and infantry closed the cortege. Troops lined the route and tens of thousands of spectators crowded the pavements, roof., and window.-..

Meanwhile the Emperor Charles drove from the palace direct to the cathedral, where the congregation was awaiting the coffiu. Those present were tho Empre i Zita. the Kings of Bulgaria, Bavaria, Saxoi)3 and Wurtcmburg, fifty archdukes and archduchesses, and forty other princes and princesses. Tlic Cardinal Archbishop of Vicuna officiated, four cardinal-, ten bishops, and forty-eight priests assisting. After the service the Emperor Charles, th« other Royalties, and the whole congregation followed the coflin to the Capuchin Church. which i> so small that onl> the Royalth : and a. few privileged persons were admitted. After the benediction had been pronounced in the church the coffin was deposited in the crypt, which only the Emperor, the grand master of the court, and two chamberlain. entered. Franz Josef- remains were for mallv transferred to the custody of the Ca pucliin monks, the Grand Master handing them the golden key to the coffin. .Vs the 'Emperor Charles re-a cended the steps f li«boom of artillery was heard in the distance. BERNE. Nov. 30. Madame Schratt drove Ui the Schocn brutin Palace after I l 'ran-' Josef's death and demanded admittance, to lake a last farewi H of her protector. Madame Schratt was ;td mil ied to an ante-room, while servants r<" ceived instructions I > tell her thai her ad inittance to the death chamber had b« en refused, and she was requested to leave tie castle without delay. Madame Schratt is sixty-four yenrs ol age. £hc is a middle-class woman with no beaiitv, bill has wmmoti -erne, and in goodhoartcd and tactful. The Emperor repeat edlv paid her debts. He also in 1908 presented her with a house ecsting £ j5,090.