THE CENTRAL POWERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17429, 25 September 1918, Page 5

THE CENTRAL POWERS

GERMAN POLITICAL CRISIS. DISTRUST OF THE KAISER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, September 22. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that i German political crisis is developing, owing to recognition by important sections of public opinion that the Entente people's distrust of the Kaiser has made their Governments unlikely to respond to any peace overtures emanating from him. M-any political conferences are proceeding daily. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent states that the rea-ssernbly of the Reichstag is being awaited in Germany with the tensest expectation. The position can fairly be described thus : The Government do not know how they are to govern; while the noliticians in power do not know what policy to pursue. Certainly Germany's rulers are trying to stave off final disaster by convincing the army and the people that demoralisation must cease, and that a National Government must be established with one policy— namely, to 6ave the Fatherland from 'destruction. Von Behueke's appointment to the Admiralty amounts to a confession that ruthlessness in -submarining has failed. Von Behucke always opposed the application of ruthlessness to neutrals, and apparently he considers it would be suicidal to invite fresh complications with neutrals. POLITICIANS AND DICTATORS GERMANS AND PRUSSIANS AT VARIANCE. ZURICH, September 23. Swiss Socialist newspapers report serious difference between the South German politicians and the Prussian dictators. The Schiveiz Demokrate reports that an enraged Bavarian commander attempted to attack Hindenburg, and that German deserters say that the Bavarian Crown Prince Rupprecht unsuccessfully tried to shoot Hindenburg. SLOVAKS IN AMERICA. FORMATION OF CENTRAL BODY. WASHINGTON, September 23. The Czecho-Slovaks. t;ho Jugo-Slavs, and the Poles held a conference here, and agreed, on behalf of the oppressed nations in Austria-Hungary to submit to Presij dent Wilson a plan whereby a new central body shall bo formed for the protection ■ of their interests against the furtherance \ of German aims. The immediate object \ is to suppress German propaganda in the [ United States aiming at the creation of L a split amongst the Polos. [ ANOTHER PEACE KITE FAILS, t ROME, September 23. , (Received Sept. 24, at 7.20 p.m.) The Government officially denies the 3 statement of the German newspapers , that Italy and Austria are negotiating 1 for peace. f v 5 YET ANOTHER. ESSAY. " AUSTRIA AGAIN THE SPOKESMAN. 1 The Times. THE HAGUE, September 23. (Received Sept, 24, at 7.20 p.m.) I Austria is expected to shortly launch ' another peace offer, expressing readiness s to accept President Wilson's 14 points. a Germany is not yet ready, but Marshal k Foch's offensive is having a wonderfully persuasive effect. I BULGARIA REJOICED. f { EVIDENCE OF WAR WEARINESS. • Renter's Telegrams. d SOFIA, September 24. t (Received Sept. 24, at 11 p.m.) t Bulgaria acknowledges the Austrian . Peace Note with the liveliest satisfaction, t and alleges that her aims do not conflict o with President Wilson's views regarding r the settlement of the Balkan conflicts in e conformity with the law of nationalities. '- COUNT BURIAN INTERVIEWED. 0 FURTHER PACIFIST VIEWS FORESHADOWED. tj. ~~~~~~' il Reut.pr'« Tolecrsicr k MOSCOW, September 24. i- (Received Sept. 24, at 11 p.m.) G A- Berlin message gives a lengthy inters view with Count Burian. Referring to !S the Allied reception of the Peace Note, ho € foreshadows fresh pacifist moves from the n Central Powers. He alleges that the '■- Note achieved one subsidiary purpose, having revealed the differences in the e opposing camps, of which the haste of : President Wilson's reply is an outstanding d example. f INCREASED AUSTRALIAN TAXA--1 TION. Z. REDUCTION OF PAPER IMPORTA!y T lo *- |p Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, September 24. .o (Received Sept. 24, at 11 p.m.) ie A private conference between the newspaper proprietors and the Paper Con- ~ troller discussed the curtailment of the im.c portation of paper. p Mr Watt (Acting Prinws Minister), speak?g ing at the annual conference of the !e Women's National League, reiterated his iT warning that much heavier taxation was coming in the Budget. They must'find ig £6,500,000 for war pensions, interest, and ,]' sinking fund. They must reduce the conic, sumption of paper and limit the importation of petrol. L WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS is a etimuknt that will brace you up and stand by you. '