CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17093, 27 August 1917, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

ANOTHER POLITICAL CRISIS. CHANCELLOR'S POSITION THREATENED. EXPOSURE OF DUPLICITY". Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. _ LONDON, August 24. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent reports that a fresh political crisis in Germany threatens Dr Michaelis's position as Chancellor. The majority that passed the peace resolution in July dispute the Chancellor's interpretation of it. Tho Social Democrats denounce him as an adherent of the annexationists.

Ihe fact i 5 that Dγ Michaelis is playing a double game. He now explains that the Keichstag's peace formula is ambiguous, an-d he never absolutely adopted it. Tho Eeichstag majority are furious. They conferred with Dγ Michaelis on Wednesday night in secret, but the newspapers next morning significantly warned him that he had better change his attitude. Some of tho papers plainly tell Dr Michaelis that the Reichstag has been tricked. In any case war between tho Chancellor and the Keichstag majority seems inevitable.

ULTIMATUM TO CHANCELLOR.

CRISIS MERELY POSTPONED.

AMSTERDAM, August 24. The Tageblatt says that Herr von Payer (the Progressive leader) sent an ultimatum to Dr Michaelis stating that he must unequivocally adhere to' the basis of the Reichstag peace resolutions, otherwise he would lose the support of the majority parties. This led to Dr Michaelis's second declaration adhering to the resolution. Many newspapers assail him as a waverer, not knowing his own mind. The Tageblatt says the crisis has' been merely postponed. HOME RULE FOR ALSACE. Reuter's Telegrams. COPENHAGEN, August 24 Ihe newspaper Politiken states that tho Alsace Deputies are demanding home rule ■It is stated that Dr Michaelis is readv to concede it.

NEW COUNCIL TO BE FOEMED,

DISCUSSION ON IMPOETANT QUESTIONS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, August 24 . The National Zeitung states that a ■Keichs Council, representing the different political parties, will shortly be formed to discuss, jointly with the Government all important matters before decisions are reached.

STRIKE BY MUNITION WORKERS.

DEMAND FOR HIGHER WAGES.

90,000 PEOPLE INVOLVED,

LONDON, August 24 The Daily Telegraph's Amsterdam correspondent (Mr Leonard Spray) reoorte that all the munition workers at Cologne have decided to strike for higher wages. Ninety thousand workers are involved. The Daily Express reports that the strike m the munition factories at Cologne is owing to the refusal of the demand for more pay to compensate for the hiefr prices and scarcity of food. The strike threatens all shipyards in Germany unless there are more pay, and shorter hours.

CONFERENCE OF HIGH OFFICIALS

CLOSER 00-OPERATION DESIRED. LONDON, August 25 (Received Aug. 26, at 11.45 p.m.) It is officially reported that the Kaiser and Dr Michaehs spent Friday afternoon at headquarters, conferring with Marshal von Hindenburg and General Lndendorff 10-day Dr Michaelis addressed the Main Reichstag Committee, and explained that he favoured closer - co-operation between the Government and the political parties without however, affecting the Empire's federal character.