THE CENTRAL POWERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17425, 20 September 1918, Page 5

THE CENTRAL POWERS

LIGHT OH AUSTRIAN CONDITIONS. DISINTEGRATING ELEMENTS ASSERTIVE. SLAVIC MOVEMENT GAINING STRENGTH. Router's Telegrams. AMSTERDAM, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 7.45 p.m.) An. article in the Wostfalisclie Zeitung (one of the papers that are known to belong to Krupp's) bitterly complains of the impotence of the Austro-Hungarian Government to stem the rising tide of the Czecho-Slovak demands, and gives illuminating glimpses of the internal situation in Austria. The article alleges that the Czechs in Bohemia are openly and luiugktily pursuing plans for the establishment of an independent Czech State; that since Britaifi and America have recognised the Czechs' independence the agitation has risen to unprecedented heights, and proceeds with such impudence that tli6 Government dare not take action against these tnu.ors. The article declares that the traitors frankly say the Czech State is only a question of weeks or months. It also declares that the laissez faire policy is causing treasonable movements to show openly in the monarchy's other Slay territories, and concludes by drawing attention to the fact that rumours are becoming ever more definite that Hungary will be federalized, in .connection with "which the only explanation is that Vienna is no longer capable of stopping the sepacationist tendencies of the Slav races. POST-WAR- TRADE. GERMAN ANXIETY INCREASING. A NEW ASIAN POLICY. The Times. LONDON, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 7.45 p.m.) As a, result of the changing fortunes of war, German economist and commercial leaders are discussing with increasing anxiety the raw material blockade. It is admitted that G<jrmanv has lost her bargaining power, as the 'Allies have replaced nearly all Germany's specialties. An interesting feature of the discussion is the assumption that the peace terms will leave Germany still free to intrigue internationally with a view to 'smashing Britain's economic power. Ihe Vossische Zeitung gives prominence to an article advocating a new Asian policy, based on a coalition of Germany, Russia, Persia, China, and Japan, giving Japan a free hand in the Pacific plan. It connotes the creation of trouble in Egypt and India, and the invasion of their markets. GERMAN FOOD DISTRIBUTION. MASS MEETING OF PROTEST. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. AMSTERDAM, September 18. _ (Received Sept. 19, at 11.30 p.m.) Twenty thousand persons attended a mass meeting at Dresden to protest against the Government management of food distribution. BOHEMIAN CZECHS. ORGANISED WITHHOLDING OF FOOD. AMSTERDAM, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 11.30 p.m.) Proclamations are being distributed in the Czech regions of Bohemia, calling on fanners not to sell their produce to the Germans, even if the highest prices are offered. The Leipziger Abend Zeitung states: — Germany obtained from Ukraina 11,200 wagon loads of food, 750,000 poods (about 3 2-olb in a pood) of hemp, 60 per cent, of the Ukrainian metal production 1,400,000 hides, and half a million poods of tobacco. OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. Stalk and a collection in aid of the Maori boldjcrs Gift Fund have been arranged for Saturday, and as this is the first appeal for tins fund the committee expects a Rood response. Produce of all kinds, flowers, cakes, etc., will bo gratefully received at the Early Settlers' Hall between 10 a.m and 5 p.m. to-day, or at the stalk on Saturday—Jacobs's corner, Stock Exchange, Hallensteins', and Mollisoft's. A typical Maori badge will be on sale. The members of the Maori Committee and their workers are coming up from the Heads to help, and arc bringing Maori kits and pois for sale. The Maoris will ako sing and dance at the various stalls during the day. Lady Liverpool and Mrs Pomare are at the head of the Maori Committees through tout the dominion. These committees do for tile Maori soldiers what the Lady Liverpool (Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association) does for the pakehas. Dr Peter Buck, when acknowledging gifts sent by the Maori Committees, expressed high appreciation of tho gifts of mutton birds, pipis, etc., which are despatched from time to time.