GRAVE POLITICAL CRISIS IN GERMANY.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13936, 19 July 1917, Page 6

GRAVE POLITICAL CRISIS IN GERMANY.

LIKENED TO POLITICAL CIVIL WAR. MULTIPLICITY OF LEADERS OBSCDBES .REAL

ISSUE. ORDINARY PARTY DIVISIONS NO LONGER DEFINABLE. (Australian and New Zealand Oable Aftoeiation.), ' ■''&•••' ■- J AMSTERDAM, July 17. The situation iu Germany is described as a sort .0! political civil war, with too many'leaders, 01 whom the fighters do "ii'ot know who is friend or enemy. The ordinary party divisions are no longer clearly defined:-; .Whilst the Socialist majority is united on the policy of-uo annexation or indemnity and the immediate introduction of a parliamentary system,- no other party is in full agreement with it on both ■ questions." The National Liberals are hopelessly-divided. . CROWN PRINZE in THE -ASCENDANCY. i - ■ ULTIMATE RETIREMENT OF KAIsIr PREDICTED.

'Atistraliavl and New Zealand Cable 7 : -NEW YORK, July 17. /" The Washington corespondent-of.-The New Yirk Times lias had access, to semi-official documents indicating that the Crown Prince lias gained the ascendancy, and is curtailing the privileges oi the Kaiser, presaging the Emperor's ultimate retirement. / :. The appointment- of l)r Mirimclis was dictated b/the Grown Prince," Marshal von Hindenburg, and General 1 von LiHleiidori!, and while they hold power Austria's strong desires'for/peace need not be taken into account. . General von Falkenhayn' commands the Austrians on the Italian front. , A ■ / VICTORY FOR THE PAN-GERMAN PARTY. THE BAIT OF "NO ANNEXATION-AND NO 'INDEMNITY," ;.' .'.'.. (Australian and New Zealand ChbU v Assocl^on.) AMSTERDAM. July 17/ The Reichstag majority.'s. resolution of ano annexation and no indemnity peace is,merely a. little salt foy the tail of the revolutionary bird in Russia and elsewhere. ~ The ohauge from Dr von Betlmianii-Hpilweg to Dr Michaelis is a pan-German victory. ' ;'

NEW CHANCELLOR'S PROaBAMME 6UTLINED. TT '. "STRONG POLICY WITHOUT .-'AND UNITY WITHIN.'' (Australian and New Zealand Oablo Association.) / AMSTERDAM,'JuIy 17."'" Dr Michaelis in an interview said: My mission is to.restore and develop. German'unity inwardly and outwardly. This is interpreted to mean that Dr .Michaelis will keep the nation-under an expectant restraint -while the-militarists are engaged in another desperate and final gamble oil one or other of the fronts'. (Australian and Sew Zealand Cable Association.) NEW YORK, July 17. The Berlin eorrespoud/infof the United Press learns from the highest authorities thai/ Dr Michaejis's programme includes a "stiong policy without, <uul unity within." (Ro iter's Telegrams) Received July 18, al (1,5 p.m. ZURICH. July 17. The Berlin correspondent of Nevczureher titling .says the Kaiser first offered th'e Chancellorship to the Bavarian Premier, Dr F. von Ilertling, who declined the office for personal reasons.''