GRAVE POLITICAL CRISIS IN GERMANY.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13930, 12 July 1917, Page 6

GRAVE POLITICAL CRISIS IN GERMANY.

PbWEii'tii? peace" Move; by "no annexation" PARTY, INFLUENTIAL' EFFORTS: TO DEFEAT GERMAN CHANCELLOR. ...... GREAT POLITICAL BLOC FORMING AGAINST' ' JUNKERS. " (Reutcr's Telegrams.) AMSTERDAM, July 10. Dr'von Betlimami-Hollwcg's : .opponents, representing all the bourgeois elements, have set to work to form a" great political bloc against the junkers. The new. bloc includes the Socialists, Liberals, National Liberals, and the Centre Party, though a section of the Liberals is understood still tp desire some annexations. The Conservative junkers continue to ridicule the idea of introducing political reforms while all the energies pf-.the nation must be directed in establishing the hegemony of the Prussian sword in Europe. Peace proposals and internal reform will be discussed in the Reichstag to-day, when Dr von Bethmann-Hollwcg will again speak. HerrErzcbergcr represents a South-German coalition, andvoices the agreements made with Austria, Bavaria, and Wurtembiirg. As the result of the bloc, Dr von Bethmann-Hpllweg is without effective political support, and few'hcwspaperc'are "assisting him.

The general opinion in Germany is that. Dr yon Bethmann-Holl-weg must go, and that Princeton Bulow will bo a possible successor. Others suggested are the Bavarian,' Count Hertling, and Count Raederer'. ..'■.' 1

"The Kaiser," however, may prefer Marshal'Von Hhidenburg as Chancellor, particularly as General v'dii Ludeiiddjjf; is Germany's real military genius. It is understood that the Kaiser has not yet abandoned the llope of saving Dr vWrßetlimanir-Hollwcg.

There is great difficulty hi getting..detailed news from Germany as tlKfcensor is stopping telegrams. (Australian and New Zoaland Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM .July 10. It is understood that Herr Erzeberger's attitude is the result of a long audience with the Emperor Carl at Vienna last week. Almost the whole German Centre Party is strongly supporting Herr Erzbcrger, only Herr Spalm, the chairman of the party, disagreeing. The Kaiser presided over the first Crown Council since the war. The Prussian and Federal Ministers were present. It is reported that the Kaiser accepted the resignations of Dr Hclfferieh (Minister of the Interior), M. Zimmerman (Minister of Foreign Affairs). (Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Renter.) NEW YORK, July 10. ■': Despatches received here quote the Taglischc Rundschau's report Of a speech by Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg at a secret sitting of the Reichstag Committee on Monday, when the Chancellor.said ■tliatthejjpljcy of no, annexations and no indemnities wis .dangerous and impossible. "Germany Wl^tS^iAM^' : ]ic declared. ' '" : ■'■■,'■ ■*;;'" "■'"' •''•'' ''■•''■" ' Telegrams from Berlin state that Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg, in a speech in'the Reichstag, said: "I cannot declare Germany's peace terms." .........

GERMANY'S ONLY HOPE,OF SAVING HERSELF. MUST STAKE HER ALL ON ((> XSTITUTIONALISM. ■ (Australian aad New Zealand .Cabin. As3oc.ia.tion.) * , " Received July 11, at 8.30 p.m. \ AMSTERDAM, July 10. Two hundred aud fifty-three Deputies support M" Erzbcrgen but it is n doubtful point bow far the'conclusioif of peace is bound up m the democratisaiioji of Germany, Renter adds another i-ontnlmtioii to the campaign gainst Dr von Bcthmaim-Hollweg, Prince-Liolmowsfcy, examhussador at London, in an article declares that the system of one-man Govern .ment is.obsolete and demands a-constitutional Parliamentary Government, despite the rraistance.of Ih,. junkers and Conservatives, otherwise the country will g 0 :to pieces. '.He declares that the ( Kaiser is far more constitutional than is supposed. H e has never ' intervened personally in public affairs, apart from his repulsive telegrams.

SUBSTANTIAL DEMOCRATIC CONCESSIONS TO PRUSSIA.

DEgPERAXE SITUATION IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY,

' CHANCELLOR BITTERLY ATTACKED FOR SACRIFICING PAN-GERMANS. ("The Times" Service.) Received July 11, at 11.30 p.m.. \ '. AMSTERDAM, July 10. Events in Gennany are moving rapidly. ' It has been decided to grant substantial democratic concessions ' to Prussia. Liberal Ministcrs.'arc rci)laciiig.,lve':CoiisGi , vatives iu the Prussian Cabinet. Dr voOethmann-Holhveg remains': Cliancellor, but Dr Helffereich and.'Herr Zimmerman will resign. ' The 1 former because of the failure/of the food policy and the latter on 'account"of the failure of his;forcign policy as, revealed by the .Mexican incident and Amcrieari intervention. ""*'" ~- .'.... von Bcthmann-Hollwcg's enemies attack him for sacrificing his pan-German colleagues and saving his own skin. ' • The Majority Leaders liavc 'of imity; - ' If ir: ■understood'that this declares that Germany is waging merely a defensive war. • - , (Australian and Now Zealand Oahlo Association.) Received July 11, at 11.30 p.m. ':■'■■ .AMSTERDAM, July: 10.: According to German press reports.Dr'von i at a .! nee^. : 'of the/Grand Committee of the Reichstag' declared: f f^ e "!" S S continue Jho -war .with'all our'energy, We. are sure we ' can winy if we hold out."" The to remain at his post in order to protect the Fathoriaiidfriminjury. ' Germany could'not declare her fermsof peace. She must fight and \ !' conquer. He concluded, by strongly attacking. Hen- Merger's j ' unpatriotic attitude. J

"WRATH OF THE MASS CANNOT >BE KEPT DOWN: : ' 'BY BAYONETS." • •; : r : y " ("The Times" Sorvico.) Received July 11, at 6.15 p.m.' > . Zurich, Juiyio; ' In the course of a debate ill the Deputies from all parts of Austria-Hungary declared that tlio. situation of the mass of the population was rapidly becoming desperate., (jalicia, the granary of Austria, was completely 'bare, and .other, districts,were famine stricken. • ' A German Socialist Deputy' said"The wrath of the lower classes cannot be "kept down by bayonets." " '("The Times" Service.) ; . 1 Received July 11, at'o.ls p.m. .7 '7. ~ | • AMSTERDAM, July 10. A Prussian Conservative syndicate is purchasing the South German Liberal newspapers to endeavour to destroy'llerr 'Erzebergor's movement.