THE FUTURE OF POLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 22

THE FUTURE OF POLAND.

An authoritative interpretation of the Czars promise has been published in I oland, declaring that Poland will be united and tree under her own administration, wjthner own Parliament and army, and Standing on an equal footing with other nations. The president of the Danish Polish Relief Commission, as a result of his visit to 1 oland, reports appalling distress, especially in Warsaw and Lodz. One hundred and thirty thousand people are feeding m tho public kitchens on food that is almost inedible. The United States Consul at Warsaw, acting on instructions., has notified neutral Consuls that America cannot recognise the Kingdom of Poland. The Cologne Gazette protests against tho refusal of Polish Catholics to co-operate in making Poland an independent kingdom. Tho Echo de Paris's Zurich correspondent states that Prince Adam Czartoryski has arrived at Warsaw to assume the'regency of Poland. RUSSIAN POLITICS. Tho new Premier, Prince Kicholas Dimitrievitch Golitzin, has an announcement of his programme in the Novoe Vremva, in which he states that he does not intend to resist the introduction of responsible government. This has caused surprise. The Ilusskoe Slovo states that MM. Anokrowsky, Pokkrowsky, and Tanieff, tho chief of the Emperor's own Cabinet, resigned with Trepoff, declaring that it was impossible to co-operate with M. Propoff. The Jate Count Benckendorff's recent letters home contain striking warnings against M. Stunner's clique, lie wrote:— "We are saddened by men in whom not a single Ally believes—when we sec how Russia is being pushed to the edge of an abyss by the hands of men whose dutyit is to save her. My sufferings arc inexpressible. Every mail from Petrograd plmges me deeper into dismal pessimism." Prince Go-litain's (postponement of tho reassembling of the Duma for a month has caused widespread and bitter feeling, despite an official assurance that the delay is necessary to enable Ministers to study the situation. - Tho new Russian Premier (Prince Golitzin) has telegraphed assuring Mr Lloyd George of his loyal co-operation in rendering more intimate the Anglo-Russian union, and ensuring the triumph of honour and right. Mr Lloyd George replied that he is happy to feel that he can rely on Prince Golitzin's support. The Times editorially states that the Russian political change's, do not relax the inflexible determination for victory. The army and nation will unitedly and doggedly fight on till the Allies' banners are triumphant. Russia will join the 1917 campaign armed and prepared as never before. She is supplying her vast masses of new troops with abundant artillery. NATIONAL SERVICE Mr Neville Chamberlain has completed his draft scheme of national service, and the Cabinet will consider it immediately. A national bureau will be opened forthwith. Mr Chamberlain is compiling a register showing the number available, which will facilitate distribution. Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, said undoubtedly there would be compulsory national service if voluntary service proved inadequate. PRISONERS OF WAR. Civilians who have arrived in England from Germany state that the conditions at Ruhleben have improved. The Germans are no longer arrogant and boastful, and Germany's poverty is strikingly revealed by the changed attitude of the children. Formerly they were insolent, but now they linger outside the compound and eagerly snatch any particles of food tho British throw out. The Rotterdamsche Courant's- Balkans correspondent states that Bulgaria holds GO.OOO prisoners, including all the Allies and some Australians and Canadians, lie considers that the food allowance is sufficient, but British and French prisoners complain of tho scarceness of diet, am! that tho clothing is inadequate. The prisoners aro dependent upon, tho Lep-ations' charitable commissions and parcels from Home. It is stated that Mr Gerard is forwarding to the State Department the German official statement upon the detention as prisoners of neutral sailors in armed merchantmen. Tho contents of the statement: are unknown. United States officials contend that Americans do no forfeit their rights by working on defensively armed ships. Tlie officials are preparing data for Mr Wilson on the question of the legality or otherwise of transforming ships into raiders on the high scas ; A Berlin official Note, with a time limit, was recently sent to France, complaining that Gorman war prisoners were quartered in the fire zone, and requesting their withdrawal to at least 19 miles behind the fire line; otherwise similar reprisals would be applied. It was subsequently stated that in consequence of the French ignoring the complaint several thousand French prisoners are being similarly treated. A semi-official Note states that the French accepted the proposal before the official Note was issued. Evidence existed that tho Germans had prepared to carry out their threatcned reprisals prior to transmitting the first complaint. MUST HAVE AN INDEMNITY. Tho Berlin financial weekly Plutus states that an indemnity Is an imperative necessity

for Germany, It' the war ends in Juno it Will havo cost £6,000,000,000. The highest income tax and succession duties, with tho most productive monopolies added, would not enable Germany to raise the necessary interest and redemption money. I'wo thousand two hundred and fifty millions might bo obtained by conliscating 30 per cent, ol til private property in Germany. Therefore JTifi essential to get at least tins amount byway of war indemnity. ORGANISING BOYS. The Kaiser has ordered General von Stein to organise all the boys in Germany and lit them for war service. Schoolboys are comElled to attend military drill daily and take rt in long night marches. The order lounts to compulsory war athleticism with the object of training every German boy eoildier in tho shortest possible time. MORE MEN WANTED The War Otiice has issued a .series of orders 03 a prelude to more resolute combing out. One requires employers to biipply monthly lists of their employees between lb and 42 years of age, including casuals, also a return of the women and men outside the age limits, so as to enable the War Office, to judge how far a system of substitution may bo utilised. Another order requires half the young lit single men under 26 now employed in agriculture to join the colours immediately. It is estimated that this order affects 60,000 men. It is believed that agriculture ig overstaffed in some districts and understaffed in others. A number of Class C 3 men will bo handed over to farmers to replace fit youths-. The Agricultural Labourers' Union threatens action if Mr Prothero carries out his intention to draft into battalions C 3, the men who work on tho land, replacing them with men fit for further active military service. Representative agriculturists have appealed to Mr Lloyd George against the calling up pf agricultural labourers. The War Office olaims that tho census reveals a surplus of agricultural labour in some areas. .Several agricultural committees have memorialised Mr Prothero, stating that men cannot be spared because C 3 substitutes are useless. Mr Lloyd George presided over a Ministerial conference, including Lord Derby, Mr Prothero, Mr Hodge, Mr Long, and Mr Bonar Law. It is understood that as a result the order will be modified, and only C 3 men with agricultural knowledge will bo utilised as substitutes for military fitter men. BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM. Lord i>evoiiport lias abujiuonccl tlie idea of a meatless day, und :s endeavouring otherwise to reduce tfie consumption. Owing to increased food prices the British Government has increased tho separation allowances of soldiers and sailors, involving an additional £10,000,000 annually. Tho Government is heavily buying potatoes in tho Midland towns at £8 a ton. The British Government proposes several shopping changes, including the suspension of tho credit system and tiie discontinuance of window-dressing. No tradesmen's cahs Will bo allowed, and customers carry home their purchases up to 141:b weight. There is an increasing agitation in England against a fixed price for potatoes. Growers stato that it is an unprofitable plant to cultivate, Mr P. Alden, M.P., has boon appointed to organise public and private effort at land cultivation. The JJoard of Agriculture reports an increase of 20,984 acres cultivated in England and Wales for 1916, as compared with 1915. Tho wheat area declined 12 per cent., while barley increased! 8 per cent. Potatoes declined by 35,451 acres— per cent. Board of Trade figures' show that retail prices on January 1 were 87 per cent, over fire-war prices, as compared with Germany's 11 per cent., Austria's 127, and Norway's 82 per cent. Tho principal English increases are in potatoes, fish, flour, butter, and cheese. Mr R. E. Prothero (Minister of Agriculture), in tho course of a speech at Bedford, Said the Government was aware that high prices stimulated production, but weighed unduly upon tho poorest. Ho therelforo qskod farmers before seed was sown to produce crops at a fixed price. The farmers could t!ien_ say to the whole Empire: "We are all in it. Give us a reasonable profit." Tha Government wanted bread as cheap and plentiful as possible. The .town bellman at Whitehaven urged tha public not to pay more than Is per Stone for potatoes. A crowd of women carrying flags compelled sellers to comply With their demands, and sang patriotic songs to celebrate their victory. Tho British Government has fixed tho maximum prices for potatoes at £6 to £l4 a, ton. according to the variety. The Midland Farmers' Assoeiation resolved that it is imperative that tho Government guarantee a minimum price for cereals for at least a quinquennium. FOOD CRISIS IN GERMANY. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent states that tho population of Berlin is in the throes of a food crisis more serious than anything yet experienced. Many large bakeries havo closed, and the authorities tell tho people that these difficulties are due to frosty weather and traffic hindrances. Tho public, however, realise that the period of unprecedented privation, against which they wero warned, has commenced earlier than was anticipated. The vaunted Gorman organisation has broken down, and the authorities have ordered an inventory of all stocks throughout tho empire for tho purpose of persuading tho peoplo that the semi-famine is partly duo to producers holding up foodstuff's in the hope of securing higher maximum prices. This is untrue Frequent raids on farmers havo proved there is a real shortage. There havo been unprecedented scenes during the past fortnight in Berlin. Long queues of women who attended at the bakeries have been unable to obtain bread in exchange for their cards. The bakers explain that they no longer receive sufficient potatoes to mix with the Hour, while no extra allowance of flour has been given. Berlin is also sufb ring from a groat shortage of milk, rlne fo snowstorms. Tho public are payimr 50 pfennigs (6d) a litre (1? pints). The Food Department has ordered that the popular liver and blood Sausages shall_ in Future contain 12 * per cent, of bran in add'tion to other material toot customarily used for human consumption. A proclamation issued in garrison towns ftsfc* civilians to undertake the duty of jfuarding tho railways and bridgrs. such plvilinns to carry weapons and to bo allowed to make arrests.

Rumours are associated with political and diplomatic movements in Berlin. Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg had first a secret conference with tho Reichstag leaders, and later ho had a further conference. The next day tho Austrian Premier had a conference with Or von Bethmann-Holl-weg at Berlin. Ilerr Zimmerman is to leave Berlin for Vienna. Tho Presidents of tho Parliaments of tho Central Powers have arrived at Berlin. Ilerr Holfer, Austrian Food Director, accompanied by his Premier, had a conference with Ilerr Batocki, and'it is understood they discussed economic questions, notably tho Rumanian fool captures. Tho German press alludes to the food conference with marked colduesa. , Eighty thousand German houscfraus navo petitioned the Food Department for a better milk supply, especially for children. A War Economy Board has been established in each Prussian province to supply farmers with labour and machinery. - An American scientist, writing from Germany, states that there are epidemics of jaundice, diarrhoea, stomach, and dental troubles owing fo saccharine, nauseous artificial tea and coffee, and chemical fooas being used as substitutes. Vegetab'o fibre has * replaced cotton, and woollens arc scarce. The suffering people are sullen and dissatisfied, and the authorities imprison grumblers. The National Service Bill is killing small businesses, and the middle class are already ruined. Immorality is rife; anti-Bcrlinism and anti-Prussianism are steadily growing among the remainder of the Germans. The Prussian authorities have taken steps to maintain predominance after the war by keeping young Prussians at home and sending ion-Prussians to the front. The people have lost all hope of victory, and expect an early invasion of Holland or Denmark for food supplies. Von Hindcnburg and von Ludendorff have replaced the Kaiser and Crown Prince as popular heroes. The Socialists are latently active. The writer predicts an early revolution. Ten thousand deserters (including officers) arc in Holland awaiting events. Tho Now York Times says that, coupled with tho admission of the practical failure of the German potato crop, come reports of gross mismanagement, as well as of grafting and extortion, in connection with the Food Bureau, indicating that, dcspito tho food spoils from Rumania, the Empire is facing the most acute food problem. Dr Lenz, Prussian Minister of Finance, in introducing the Budget, said: ''From the balance shown it was only too apparent that their isolation was pressing increasingly hard on the country. The food difficulties were causing tho greatest distress; but measures had been taken to ensure that none would be starved. Hard months wero still ahead. Direct taxation had yielded 60,000,000 marks above the estimated increase of 100,000,000. Tho Budget Estimates show a large increase in direct taxation. Six hundred and ninety million marks had been paid as indemnification for tho devastation of East Prussia. Germany has prohibited the export of luxuries to Austria-Hungary, and has warned travellers that jewellery is liable to seizure on the frontier. Owing to tho shortage of horses, tho Berlin police havo authorised oxen to draw carts. SHORTAGE IN AUSTRIA. The reduction of rations issued to the Austriana in Trentino has caused tho liveliest dissatisfaction. Bohemian regiments mutinied because the bread was uneatable, and a number wore shot. In connection with tho Austro-German food conferences, details available in London show that tho Austrian distress is tho most acute. The potato famine is especially severe. Vienna had been promised 283 truck loads daily in November and December, but got an average of only 95, and since Christmas there has been a furthere diminution of supplies. Prices cf principal foodstuffs are practically prohibitive to most people. Tho position in Hungary is scarcely bettor, and tho professional classes are bitterly crying out. Tho clergy at Budapest declared to the newspaper Az Ujsag that they cannot feed and clofho tho children, while widows exist in the lowest stage of misery. The Az Ujsag's inquiries in other directions reveal the same distress, nohib'y among teachers and civil servants. Even judges are resorting to trades to eke out their resources. Tho Dutch mission which went to Vienna to attend ttie Emperor's funeral narrate, some extraordinary stories. They had meat only twice in eight clays, though present in an official capacity. There was a shortago in everything. The situation, they add, was equally bad in Germany, where, in order to improve tho money market, tno German Government has ordered that no article be imported into Germany without the permission of tho Imports Controller. THE GERMAN NAVY. Tho inactivity of the German fleet is exeiting bitterness against the Admiralty. Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg has published an apologetic pamphlet, stating that a naval offensive against the British fleet would be heroic madness. Germany's naval task consists of harassing tho British fleet and keeping it alert, making submarine warfare possible, and safeguarding German and Scandinavian commerce. KRUPP SURPRISES. Neutral travellers state that Krupps are working continuously, providing tanks and other novelties and surprises, which may appear in the enemy's offensive. The tanks require at least six months to build. GERMAN COLONIES. Dr Solf (Minister of Colonies), speaking in Berlin, regretted tho dangers that beset the Samoan and New Guinea natives of lapsing from kultur and Gorman Christianity under Australasian administration. He claimed that Germany would certainly get her lost colonies back, because their army and navy were victorious in Europe, where tho fato of tho colonics would be deo'dod. There, are strong comments in South Africa on the fact that there is no reference to the German colonies in tho Allied reply. President Wilson understood tied the n»r'Stion was to be decided at an Imperial Conference. Tho Cape Times says: "If the omission is. due to British dfsin tore-todnoss and selfefraoement, it is more unctuous balderdash. The dominion will consent to restoration onlv if tho war situation leaver, fhrm nraoticallv no alternative; even then l-hr-v will eon. sent reluctantly. The war was thrust upon ns, and it would be folly gratuitously to re-establish a German menace where tho war has enabled us to destroy it."

ATTEM PTED A SSA S SI N A TIO N. Thoro liavo been two attempts to assassinate Count Tisza since tho New Year, and there are indications of further efforts by the Opposition (o remove a statesman from office who is regarded as responsible for Hungary's ruin. The first attempt was made on tho bridge in front of Parliament House (Budapest). Two students fired their revolvers at. the Premier, but missed him. One assailant escaped, but the other was hanged within 2*4 hours. A few days later two shots were fired from a crowd when Count Tisza was leaving Parliament. One shot made a hole in Tisza's top hat. The crowd protected the assassin, and the polioo were helpless. A number of secret societies in Hungary have passed resolutions that "Tisza must die." GENERAL ITEMS. Tho Times Red Cross Fund total exceeds £6,000,000. Over 10,000 Germans have been naturalised in Switzerland sinco the war began. Bread tickets are being issued in Sweden and sugar tickets in Denmark. Dr Liebknccht lias now been sentenced to four and a-half years' hard labour and expulsion from tho Berlin Par. The Prize Court awarded £5500 bounty to tho ships (including 11.M.5. New Zealand) participating in tho sinking of tho Blucher off the Dogger Bank in January, 1915. __ General Beliaieff, ex-Chief of the General Staff, has been appointed Minister of War in succession to General Schouvaicff. Stokvis and Donaldson, London betting agents, \v< . j each sentenced to two years' imprisonment for conspiring to bribe Martin, a clerk to the Whitehall Medical Board, to issue certificates enabling cligibles to cvado service. Martin was entenced to 18 months. Tho Secretary of tho United States Navy (Mr Daniels) has given contracts to Hadfields, Ltd. (England), for shells for the United iStatcs navy to the value of over 3,000,-OOOdol. Tho American tenders were over SOOdol (£4O) per shell in excess of the British firm, and tho period of delivery double. The India Office announces tho raising of a special war loan in India during 1917-18 for an unlimited amount, which will bo entirely handed over to the British Government for war purposes. Tho terms will bo announced in the next Indian Financial Statement. They will be not less favourable than those for Homo borrowings. Rich coal seams have been discovered in Bessarabia, close to the surface. Tho Foreign Office categorically denies tho assertion in tho German Note to ncturals that Great Britain in 1837 did not oppose the German claim to a right-of-way through Belgium, provided the latter's independence was guaranteed and compensation was paid for military damage. Tho Deutsche Tageszeit'un.g demands that tho United States Ambassador (Mr Gerard) either resign or apologise for his recent speech. A secret session of tho Norwegian Storthing considered tho British reply to Norway regarding coal. Tho reply does not repeat tho assertion that Norway broke her agreement. Tho Aftenposten states that probably the question will be settled satisfactorily. Tho Manchester Guardian states that the Shipping Controller (Sir J. Maclay) has ordered on behalf of the State, 36 standardised merchant steamers of 9000 tons. The French Minister of Munitions (M. Thomas) informed tho Parliamentary Committee that France is contemplating- a general mobilisation of civilians. Tho Danish authorities aro displaying great energy _ in punishing breaches of illegal trade with Germany. Ono merchant for exporting 290 casks of train oil was fined 253,000 kroner, while two assistants were lined BCOO and 24,800 kroner respectively. It is semi-officially announced at Berlin that a Germane-Turkish treaty was signed on the 11th inst., under which Turkey agrees that a German mission shall reorganise tho whole economio system of Turkey. General Sir Archibald Murray, K.C.M.G (Chief of tho General Staff), has been created a Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.). Germany has prohibited all imports from Switzerland. This action is designed to avert a further fall in the exchange or undue congestion on tho South Gorman railways. Tho British Trades Union Congress decided to protest to the War Office, reminding it of an earlier promise that soldiers in civilian occupation should receive civilian pay, and not be subjected to military control. Tho collection on "Our Day" (October 19) totalled £1,098,000, including £400,000 from Ontario. The directors of the British i\cd Cross of tho Order of St. John pay tribute to tho efforts of Australia and New Zealand, and to the newspapers for giving publicity to tho cause. Tiro Journal (Taris) states that repatriated officers say that Germany's stock of wolfram is exhausted. A prize of 100,000 marks has been offered to provide a substitute. The Dutch Skippers' Union have declared a general strike on all inland waters. Tho supposed reason is dissatisfaction with the Government conditions of chartering ships. It is reported that tho famous Pilsencr lager works havo closed. Tho German Hebrew Defence Union publishes what it describes as scandalous orders compelling Jewish members of artillery regiments now employed as secretaries and orderlies to go to the front immediately. Tho union declares that tho Prussian army system is sending many Jews unfit for service to the front trenches as part of an anti-Semitic policy. Appeals to tho Kaiser -'eve fruitless German newspapers state that the United Slates, between August. 1914, and (September, 1916, shipped to the Allies £394,000,000 worth of war material, of which 11 per cent, consisted of shells and ammunition, and the remainder of artillery, machine guns, rifles, motor cars, horses', and ambulances. 'Che American shipments of war material to Europe for the eight months of 1016 wero of (he v-iiluo of £170.000.000. Presiding at the Soldiers' Graves Committee, the Prince of WaVs staled that 150.000 craves were registered in France and Relc-ium. Sixty of rhe_ 400 burial had been hoaufifuUy laid out under the advice c-l (he directors of TCcw Gardens. 'l'iie commilfee was also caring for Cue French cemeteries in the line we had taken over. The experience they had n-ninod in Franco and Belgium was being applied elsewhere, lie welcomed tho first attendance

of representatives of tho dominions and India on the committee. Tho marking and care of dominion and Indian soldiers' graves ;n Groat Britain was under consideration. Tho origin of tho Ministerial crisis in Spain has been now revealed. The Ambassador at Madrid sent a wireless message to Berlin last August for more money tor the newspaper propaganda to secure tho fall of Senor Romanones. France picked up the messago by its Eiffel wireless apparatus. When this was revealed to Senor Romanones he tendered his resignation, receiving tho support of Senors Maura and Dato, leading Conservatives. Tho King promptly restored (Senor Romanones to oilice. Fifteen polico raided the Women's Social Political Union and seized document*, because of the Britannia, tho official organ of the union, attacking Sir William Robertson —an attack embodied in a series of articles by Christabcl Pankhurst, charging Sir William with preferring Constantino to Venizelo.s and refusing to send troops to Salonika. Tho military also raided Annie Kenny's and Grace Roe's flat and seized all documents there. Tho Prune Minister i 3 rapidly improving his clearing-house for Cabinet business, which has absorbed the former War Committee of Imperial Defence, thus enabling Lieutenant-colonel Maurice Hanlcey to become Secretary to the Cabinet,, with several military and civil assistants. This is essential, as Mr Lloyd George, Lord Curzon, and Lord Milner havo no departments with ordinary machinery for transacting business. Mr Lloyd George has also enlisted the services of such men as Mr Philip Kerr, editor of the Round Table magazine, and Professor Adams, the Oxford economist, to work under his immediate direction. At tho opening of tho Danish Riksdag, the Speech from the Throne stated that special preparedness of tho land and sea forces must bo maintained. Extraordinary measures necessitated an increase of war operations in Swedish territorial waters. Tho Budget introduced included £5,000.000 for the army, £2,000.000 for the navy, and £2,250,000 to relieve tho dearness of living. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. Tho total enlistments in New South Wales last year wero 41,912. Tho organisation of tho new recruiting crusade is completed, and it has been already responsible for an improvement in enlistment, Tho Federal Cabinet has agreed to tho appointment of a central authority to control tho repatriation scheme. It is understood that Mr Hughes intends to appoint a director of repatriation. Tho Treasurer, appealing for subscriptions for the war loan, announced that tho Federal Government will require 18 millions for war purposes. It has been estimated that the privato wealth of Australia amounts to a thousand millions sterling. Tho enlistments throughout tho Commonwealth for tho week ending Januarv 13 were only 929. The War Office still requires 16,500 monthly. The Gazette announces that tho Greek Consuls at Perth and Brisbane have resigned. A railway official in Sydney named Homsby had his suspicions roused by a well-dressed couplo who wero purchasing tickets to travel by tho Brisbano mail train. Ho called the police, and tho supposed husband and wifo were discovered to bo men who had recently escaped from detention camp. Tho "husband" indignantly protested against the treatment of his ' wife," who was dressed in tho latest fashion and painted and powdered. The Federal Government has decided to send further drafts of ammunition workers to England. Mrs Calvert Atkinson, of Sydney, has been advised that her son, Sergeant T. Atkinson, of the- Now Zealand Engineers, has been awarded tho Military Medal. Thoro wero 500 recruits in New South Wales last week —the best record for a month. Tho authorities aro elaborating a scheme to especially provide for returned soldiers suffering from mental diseases and tuberculosis, and for those physically incapacitated who aro without relatives or friends. Mr Ashford has announced, in connection with a scheme for placing repatriated soldiers upon tho land, that for tho first 12 months they will bo saddler with no responsibility regarding the land, and at the same time will be paid wages provided they keep, while working, under expert supervision. Tho wages to bo paid will represent an advance on account of employment. When sufficient farms havo been fairly established, it is intended to adopt the co-opcrativo system of buying and selling.