CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17427, 23 September 1918, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

' POLITICAL CRISIS. DEMAND FOR REFORMS.Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. AMSTERDAM, September 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) The Leipziger Tageblatt, published in Berlin, states that the Government crisis has reached a climax. Tho majority parties have firmly resolved to form a parliamentary Government which will pursue the policy demanded by the seriousness of the situation independently of main headquarters. The Social Democrats have declared their readiness to enter the new Government on condition that two or three posts' are given to them. Tlie Socialists' decision rests with the Centre party, which will meet dn Monday. PANIC IN METZ. EVACUATION STARTED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association: LONDON, September 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says that a Swiss message states that there is a serious panic at JMetz. The inhabitants have begun the evacuation despite the Governor's declaration exhorting calmness. The Governor adds that the authorities' recommendation in favour of the evacuation of the town and its does not imply immediate danger; nevertheless the banks have_ transferred their funds and books to Karlsruhe, and some have entirely transferred their business thither. The public archives have been removed. Meanwhile the evacuation proceeds. The well-to-do people have gone, and the military have made preparations to remove the entire population if necessary. The State-owned railway has been ordered to mooilise its rolling stock' for that purpose. Continuous air raids intensify the prevailing alarm, and the arrival of refugees at the more remote towns has caused apprehension. The newspapers seek to' allay the alarm by stating that vigorous defensive measures are being planned.