GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 19

GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

An epidemic of dysentery is general throughout Germany and Austria. It is attributed to malnutrition. Patients are Unable to get good milk, as the German War Office is intercepting all supplies for the purpose of extracting nitre and glycerine from the milk. The War Office even intercepts Swiss milk at the frontiers, although Germany had pleaded that she must b© allowed to import milk from Switzerland, otherwise the babies and young children would die. The Austrian and German Governments arc seeking to allay public fears by announcing that new foods have been invented to replace milk. It is learned on the highest authority that the epidemic of dysentery in Germany (a almost nation-wide, while tuberculosis _ is rapidly spreading. The mortality has increased from 50 to 100 per cent, since the beginning of 1916. German newspapers report 2000 cases of

smallpox in West and North Germany, with 200 deaths. Tho lack of paper in Germany has compelled tho publishers of school books not to print any new editions. When the stock of books is exhausted, which it will be by Christmas, (he schools will gradually become ''booklets." Manv persons of both sexes have been arrested in Dresden for distributing handbills urging the workers to strike and declare a revolution. Those arrested will be tried by court-martial. Plans are being elaborated in Germany to organise tho school children, in compliance with tho Government's request, for the collection of the horse-chestnut crop. Researches have proved that a ton of horse-chestnuts will satisfactorily replace half a ton of edible grain after going through certain processes. Herr Rudolf Reventlow, nephew of Count Reventlow, has deserted from the Germans. Ho was spending leave with his mother on the German side of Lake Constance, and both rowed to the Swiss shore at night, a German patrol vainly pursuing them. PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION. Dr Michaelis, in explaining the Parliamentary Commission, emphasised the statement that it would deal with definite questions such as the Papal Note, but would not deal with general questions. The Commission was an experiment, and a possible step towards an internal political modification. He reiterated that he did not believe in _ the wisdom of far-reaching changes in war time, but ho promised that Prussian electoral reforms would be duly enacted. The Reichstag Committee generally favoured the idea of the new Commission; but the Indencndent Socialists are dissatisfied, while the Conservatives have received the suggestion frigidly. The Reichstag adopted a joint resolution put forward by the Liberals, the Centre party, the Progressives, and the Socialists requesting the introduction of parliamentary institutions in Lithuania and Courland. Pan-Germans are making an effort to secure tho dissolution of +he Reichstag. Leading junker newspapers declare that the Reichstacr does i not represent the people, and are organising a campaign in favour of dissolution or a general election. The Reichstag's principal offence consists of its peace resolution. Pan-German organisations are deluging Dr Michaelis and von Hindenburg with resolutions denunciatory of that resolution.