CRISIS IN DENMARK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17900, 3 April 1920, Page 9

CRISIS IN DENMARK

HIGH-HANDED ACTION BY RING,

THE MINISTRY DISMISSED,

PreEa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. COPENHAGEN, March 30. King Christian dismissed tho Danish Cabinet, alleging that it did not poseess the people's confidence in. regard to the Stehleswig policy. Premier Zahio maintained that Cabinet possessed the Chamber's confidence. The ciomand for au election, he said, had only been raised outside ot Parliament. The King, however, insisted on the Ministry's resignation. Zahle replied: "My Ministry cannot resign, as tne Chamber has not expressed distrust of us." ' Thereupon the King dismissed the Cabinet, but asked Zahie to remain until a new Cabinet was formed. Zaihle refused, saying: " Those w-bo have advised the King to dismiss the Cabinet must be ready to take over the Government." The Democratic newspapers stigmatise tho King's action as a coup d'etat. The Socialists have sent an ultimatum to the King tliat unless constitutional government is restored before 9 a.m. on March 31 (Wednesday) they will proclaim a general strike. Liebe, a lawyer, has undertaken to form a new Cabinet, with the Danisjx Minister at London as Minister of Foroign Affairs, j .Troops guarded the Royal Castle all night long. The crowd greeted the soldiers ■ with cries of " Long live the Republic." | The King refused to comply with the Socialists' ultimatum.

i r COPENHAGEN, March 31. J The Labour leaders advocated a general I strike at the Trade Union Congress on j Wednesday. The streets are quiet, but intense anxiety pervades all classes. . The railway and postal employees say that they will partake in the strike. The Social Democrats advocate a republic, with the franchise for all over 21 years old.—A. ■ and N.Z. Cable. CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. A PRO-GERMAN*MONARCH. COPENHAGEN, March 30. The political crisis is due to the attitude of Cabinet in accepting the pro-German result of the plebiscite in the second Schleswig zone, • while the 'Opposition favour the internationalisation of the zone

provisionally. The Executive Committee of the Social Democrat Party and the Trade Union Party agree to demand the reinstatement of the Zahle Ministry and the immediate summoning of Parliament. If this demand is not granted to-morrow the Congress of Trade Unions will consider a general strike. 1 A later message states that the. King of Denmark has refused the Socialists' demands.—A. and N.Z. Cable. KING'S ACTION RESENTED. GENERAL STRIKE DECLARED.

COPENHAGEN, March 31* A general strike has been declared against the King's action.—A. and N.Z. Cahle.' A GENERAL STRIKE CONSIDERED. DEMAND FOR A REPUBLIC. . COPENHAGEN, MarcE 31. x (Received April 2, at 5.5 p.m.) _ Trade unionists will meet to-day to consider tho question of a general strike. The new Ministry sat all night long, and finally, aocepted a resolution stating that its only task consisted in holding office until the elections were held. Crowds paraded the streets at night and listened to speeches in favour of a t republic.—A. and N.Z. Cable.