RIVAL CLAIMS ON GERMANY OF MEN AND FOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16851, 16 May 1918, Page 5

RIVAL CLAIMS ON GERMANY OF MEN AND FOOD.

AUSTRIA UNWILLING TO SEND MEN TO WEST FRONT. [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. May 14. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post says it is believed General Mackensen could provide as a maximum 600,000 men, but this Would denude the Russian front of practically every man. The correspondent learns that the Austrians are not likely to agree to the German demand to send an army from the Tyrol, being determined to maintain their forces there in readiness for an Italian counter-offensive. Germany's reluctance to withdraw armies from the Russian front is easily explained. Germany would then be powerless to enforce her claims for food supplies, which she hopes, by fair or foul means, to extract from occupied provinces. In the event of a German withdrawal, these supplies would probably fall into the hands of the Austrians, who are much nearer absolute famine than the Germans. Austria regards Russian grain as the most important factor. Undoubtedly Austria, in the absence of German troops, would secure the bulk, if not all, of the '■ f 450,000 tons of wheat which the Ukraine promised to deliver to the Central Powers. Austria regards the question as vital ; she must ; secure additional foodstuffs before August because her own supplies ■ - are dangerously near exhaustion. * 1 ■ NEW YOKE, May 14. ; ' The Amsterdam correspondent of the New York Globe interviewed "Mi ■'~ a Dutch traveller from Germany, who declared that bitter hatred of I • Austria was growing in Germany. The feeling is that if Germany loses the war it will be because of the incapacity and insufficient sup- ;•'<':*' port from Austria. The publication of the Emperor Charles' peace • i letter with reference to Alsace-Lorraine brought resentment to its j highest pitch, and Austria's refusal to send troops to the west front ! ' increased Germany's contempt