GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 18

GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Prussian Ministers unanimously adopted the Kaiser's reform programme. Oflicial interpreters are watering down the programme, and insist that there is no intention to introduce manhood suffrage. There were serious riots at Dusscldorf on Easter Sunday. The women munition workers marched in possession singing revolutionary songs and demanding bread. There were many arrests. Similar riots are reported at Elberfeld, Crcfeld, Barmen. Dujsburg, Holefold, Aix-la-Ohapolle, and Essen. The commanders at Elberfeld and Barmen instructed the soldiers to use their firearms without warning in future. It is reported from the frontier that there were over 200 casualties as the result of the Aix-la-Chapelle riots. The town hall is in flames.

The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that the authorities in Germany fear that the disorders which have hitherto been isolated will become general. Dutch frontier reports state that renewed fighting has occurred at Barmen and Elberfeld. Shops were damaged and the town hall windows were smashed. Herr Scheidmann and other German' Socialists have gone to Stockholm to get into touch wjith. tho Russian Socialists. Secret meetings of German and Russian Socialists have already been held. Travellers' from Germany emphasise the seriousness of the food situation. Tho poor in some parts are on the verge of starvation. The Government has not allowed publication of details of the recent riots, which were graver than those of 1916, and indicate a weakening of the nation's morale. An inspired message from Germany states: "England's brutal blockade is the main cause of the food shortage." The workmen and officials at Krupps' works, Kiel, demanded an immediate increase in their food allowance and wages of per cent, apart from war bonus. The directors declared that they were only drawing the allowances of the meanest labourers. The men were incredulous, and demanded to inspect their larders, which was refused. A Berlin official message states that the rumours that the Kaiser is ill are unfounded. The Crown Prince has resumed command of the Central group of armies on the western front. > The German Min : stry of Finance is advertising a new loan. German advices state that all men in the Rhine provinces between the ages of 47 and 60 have been called up for civil work. PEACE OVERTURES. _ It is believed that Germany is about to make overtures to the United States for peace negotiations. It is understood that Secretary Lansing has already received proffers of peace through unofficial mediators. The German terms are not specified. It is believed, however, that they do not materially differ from those outlined last December. No statement on the subject is forthcoming at Washington. The official attitude is that everything depends on the nature of the concessions. The Danish papers publish alleged German peace proposals. They include the annexation of portions of Western Russia and tho neutralisation of the Dardanelles under a Turkish protectorate. _ They are regarded as mere ballons d'essai. Nothing, either official or unofficial, ia known in London regarding _ the German peace overtures; but the feeling expressed is that the United States is opposed to a separate peace. Colonel House (Mr Wilson's former peace envoy) also denies that ho is involved in the overtures.

According to Vatican reports, Austria is pressing for peace. Officials believe that the. Bulgarian overtures for peace are genuine, though informal, and designed to act as a feeler to the Central Powers. Allied diplomats think that if Bulgaria, agrees to a separate peace Turkey would follow suit. The German newspaper Vorwarts states, that the German Government must tell the people the truth, and inform them that it is impossible to dictate peace to a world of enemies. A peace meeting at the East End (London) was wrecked. The flags were torn up by indignant crowds, and two pacifists were hurled over the railings. The pro--ceedings concluded with a meeting in aid of discharged soldiers, and a large sum was realised. AUSTRIA'S TROUBLES. Router's Amsterdam correspondent says that reports received from Vienna state that the Minister of War (M. Krobatm) has resigned, following the revelations of extensive corruption in the army. General Steinstaffen has been appointed in hia stead.

The Kranz trial disclosures arc causing popular unrest, together with indignation and discontent in financial circles.

When the Hungarian Parliament reassembles it will discuss the trial and also the question of suffrage reform. The Vossische Zeitung's Vienna correspondent states that Austria's political atmosphere, created > by past absolutism, needs a thorough cleansing. The Hungarian Parliament has been prorogued indefinitely in disorder. The Opposition stormily demanded direct suffrage and prevented the President from opening the proceedings. The President thrice suspended the sittings, and thereupon Count Tisza (Prime Minister) read a rescript proroguing the House. A violent scene followed. The Oppositionists threw inkstands and books at the members of the Cabinet, and several free fights ensued on the floor of the House. The prorogation anti-Government demonstrations in Budapest. The four Opposition leaders sent a joint Note to the Emperor Charles, pointing out that the popular discontent might result in dangerous consequences. The burgomaster of Vienna, speaking in the Citv Council, amid applause, said the Government and the people were one in a desire for peace. He personally pleaded for a conference with the belligerents. "As soon as our enemies recognise our rights,'' he said, "we will proffer the hand of peace."

■Famine is raging in the portion of Gabcia occupied by the Austrians. The epidemic called hunger typhus is rampant, with terrible mortality. Interments are carried out at night, and mourning is prohibited. GENERAL ITEMS. v Tho railway dispute in England has been settled. The men accepted a.ss increase and a war bonus. The Press Bureau states that a fir© broke out in Woolwich Arsenal. There was no loss of life and only slight damage. France has decided not to employ prisoners within 30 kilometres of the firing line, and Germany has agreed to similar treatment. As the result of the exceptional snow this winter the rivers of Southern Russia are flooded, threatening the towns and villages \with disaster. Privato Wall street advices state that at Lloyd's there is wagering, at odds of 10 to 1, that the war will end within three months. The Times Amsterdam correspondent reports that the German mark and the Austrian brown have reached their record lowest point, 37.95 and 23.75 respectively. Galveston (Texas) reports that a German raider has been sighted at the mouth of the Yucatan Channel (between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula comiecting the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico).'

. Lieutenant Robinson, V.C., _is missing. He was the first airman to bring down a Zeppelin in England.

The food situation is growing worse throughout Scandinavia. The Swedish Government has seized all oils, maize, and rice. It is further proposed to cut down rations of bread and flour.

A telegram from Constantinople reports that the American guardship Scorpion has been ordered to leave harbour within 24 hours. If sho fails to do so she will be interned.

Norwegian ship-owners have sold to America 200.000 tons of shipping now building in American yards. The newspaper Dagbladot urges the arming of Norwegian merchantmen. A London newspaper states that a curtain chain of mail has been invented to hang from the steel helmet and proteqt the soldier's face. Some have already been issued to the troops. Under Government pressure to release workmen 17 out of 20 brewery companies at Sheffield have agreed to amalgamate. This experiment will probably be repeated throughout the country. Tho Press Bureau states that the King becomes colonel-in-chief of the Royal Flying Corps, as a mark of admiration of the services of both wings since tho beginning of 'tho war, Mr John Hodge, Minister of Labour, in a speech at Richmond, said that when demobilisation comes all the men will get a month's holiday with army pay and the usual separation allowances.

Tho Independent Labourites demanded that tho Allies negotiate for a just peace. They also denounced tho system of secret diplomacy, and decided to formulate a programme to prevent war. Tho Tribune states,, that the Turks looted the Mohammedan temple at *Medina (Arabia), their _ booty, including the famous diamond shining star, being valued at 7,000,000 francs. Tho Daily Graphic states that the German officials are systematically ransacking Asia Minor. Many food-laden trains are despatched daily along tho Constantinople -to Berlin railway, and returning- with munitions for the Turkish troops. Important results would follow the destruction of these trains by the Allies. Tho Imperial "War Cabinet is understood to havo agreed to a schemo of Empire Saval development. Halifax and Esquimalt ill bo improved in order that they may form naval bases in the Atlantio and Pacific.

At the South African Party Congress Mr Nolan announced that the Union Government had decided to grant the Imperial Government £1,000,000, in recognition of the protection afforded by tho British Navy, by reason of -which South African exports had proceeded as usual. Americans in London will hold a dedicatory service in St. Paul's on the 20th inst. to commemorate the entry of the United States into tho war. The King and Queen, Dr Page (United States Ambassador), members of the Cabinet, and overseas delegates -will attend. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London will participate, and the Bishop of the Philippines will probably be tho preacher. Mr Massey has telegraphed General Chaytor congratulating him on his good work with the New Zealand Brigade near Gaza.- He added: "The capture and bringing iv o c -i:'= is another of tho many <Joeds whH •" thrilled tho Dominion with pride the loyalty and fighting capacity of its soldiers. The Press Bureau reports that the workers at the Woolwich Arsenal sent tho following message to the munition workers in Russia:— "Comrades, now: you have

overthrown autocracy, wo know you are men. Let us all work hard to help pur brothers in the trenches whose sacrifices are the greater. Every hour of work may savo lives, while- idleness will mean murder. Long live free Russia, who has risen in her might finally to free people who are still enslaved." \ message from Berlin announces the death of Prince Karl Friedrich. Prince Karl Friedrich, who was reconnoitring over the British lines, was overtaken by _ a British aeroplane. A duel with machine guns took place at a height of 6000 ft. Tho Prince's" reservoir leaked, and his machmo dived slowly. Several soldiers saw a tall young man leave the machine, without attempting to burn it, and run .across the fields. The soldiers shouted "Stop!" but tho Prince continued to run. A sentinel in a shell crater fired twice, .wounding him in the heel and the chest. The Prince fell, shouting "I am Prince Karl Friedrich. Ambulances carried him to the dressing station, where hia papers established his identity. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. The subscriptions to the £18.000,000 Commonwealth war loan, which closed on the 2nd. totalled £21,500,000. The light horsemen's recruiting parades in Sydney continue to bo highly successful. O'n the 10th ins-t. in 10 minutes they filled 50 saddles on the Show Ground and 18 more at Randwick. The Director of Recruiting states that the enlistments throughout the Commonwealth for the first three months of 1917 total 15.263. The Government is preparing a Bill to control Patriotic Funds. Senator Pearce has announced that he has reduced the standard recruiting height of sft 2in in a few cases to sft, for special work, and the chest measurement to 33in. Addressing a conference on the difficulty of marketing Queensland maize, Mr Hughes said that Britain's shipping- losses were recurring sit the rate of 600,000 tonf a month faster than they could be restored by building new vessels.