GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3319, 24 October 1917, Page 15

GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Tho sudden return of Prince von Bulow to Berlin has caused rumours that he will succeed Dr Michaelis as Chancellor. The conference of German Social Democrats at Wurzburg rejected a motion in favour of the Social Democrats voting against war credits. A Berlin messages states that the provisional total of the war loan is £625,000,000. Tho Reichstag Committee has been informed that a further limitation of the bread ration is unnecessary, as the grain supply for a whole year is assured. The State Department (Washington) has issued an article from Swiss newsDapers by Prince Hohenlohe, son of tho late German Chancellor. It says that, while a majority of tho Germans favours a monarchy, it is undeniable that a revolution may break out. The people's confidence in the Kaiser is crumbling, and they are beginning to ask, " Why is the world against Germany?" AUSTRIA'S TROUBLES. Vienna messages state that the number of cases of tuberculosis in the Austrian armya amounted to 63 per cent, during the first half of 1916, compared with 12 per cent, in the first half of 1915. An interpellation in the Austrian Reichsrath revealed that serious food riots occurred at Pilsen in August. Seventy shops were plundered. The troops fired on the rioters, killing and wounding several persons. Martial law was proclaimed. ORIGINATOR OF THE WAR. Mr Morgenthau, former American Ambassador to Turkey, has made remarkable disclosures to the New York World. He says: " There is direct evidence that the Kaiser willed the war and caused it when it suited his purpose and when his preparations were made. Marquis Pallavincini, Austrian Ambassador to Turkey, told me on August 18, 1914, that Franz Josef, the Austrian Emperor, had informed him in May that war was inevitable. " Baron Wangenheim, German Ambassador to Turkey, in an outburst of enthusiasm after the arrival of the Goeben and Breslau in the Dardanelles, told me that a conference was held at Berlin early in July, 1914, at which tho date of tho war was fixed. The Kaiser pressed for the conference, at which Wangenheim, Moltke, Tirpitz, and a few selected leaders of German finance and industry were also prosent. Tho Kaiser asked them if they were ready for war, and all replied in the affirmative, except the financiers, who said they must have a fortnight in which to sell securities and arrange loans. Thereafter the financiers became feverishly and secretly busy, while tho army marked time. All tho great stock exchanges experienced acute depression, as German-owned stocks were quietly pushed into the market. Wangenheim further told me that next time Germany would bo even more foresighted, and would have at least five years' supplies of copper and cotton before striking." Mr Morgenthau later learned that if Germany proved victorious she intended to attack Germany on tho ground that she supplied munitions _ to the Allies, and would enforce payment of an indemnity, making Germany tho richest nation in the world. "I have hoard," states Mr Morgenthau. "that this sum had been fixed at 50 billion marks. The Kaiser for years has been obsessed with tho h'cam of being the centre of a great moving picture. directing and controlling the destinies of the world. Prince Henry of Prussia, his brother, was sent to America to consolidate German strength in the United States. " German3-'s mastery of the situation in Turkey was so complcto that she dictated tho postponement of Turkey's entry into the war until the powerful wireless plant at Constantinople had been completed and guns and munitions had been brought to Turkey." THE FRENCH MINISTRY. During a debate in tho French Chamber of Deputies, M. Painleve, the Premier, emphasised tho Government's resolution to

prosecute the war until Alsace and Lorraine had been restored. Mr Lloyd George had for the first time officially declared that Britain will stand beside Franco till Alsace and Lorraine had been restored. Ho concluded by declaring that the idea of a separate peace had never presented itself to the Government. The power of the Allies, when co-ordmated, would be crushing. The Chamber voted confidence in the Government by 568 votes to 95. Despite the largeness of the majority the newspapers appear to expect a reconstruction of the Ministry. THE ITALIAN MINISTRY. After the Italian Chamber of Deputies had rejected a no-confidence motion by '228 votes to 51, an acute Cabinet crisis occurred, hastened by serious riots at Turin, mainly due to the breakdown of the bread supply, for-which the Government has been widely blamed. Socialist Deputies called the War Minister a renegade, and accuseu him of upsetting General Cardrona's plans, Signor Bisolati, in reply, declared that if the country were endangered by the attitude of the Socialists ho would not hesitato to order that the interned enemies be shot. An uproar followed. A coal famine is impending in Italy, and it is feared there will be no coal for household use in the coming winter. AFFAIRS IN GREECE. The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in Athens recommended the trial in the High Court of all the members of the Skouloudis Cabinet, excepting Admiral Coundouriotis, for illegal acts, including the illegal dissolution of Parliament in 1915, the restoration to the Turks of Macedonian territory, the surrender of the fortress of Rupe] to the Bulgarians, the violation of the treat} 7 of alliance with Serbia, the encouragement of indiscipline in the Greek army and the German propaganda and terrorism among tho public. The Orthodox Bishop of Athens has been sentenced by the Ecclesiastical Court to degradation and two years' confinement in a monastery for interfering in politics and assisting officially in an anathema on M. "Venizelos. Other prelates have been sentenced to various penalties. POLAND. The Central Powers have appointed tho Archbishop and Mayor of Warsaw and M. Laudii, proprietor of tho Vonostarowski, as a Regency Council for Poland. Tho Entcrrto Governments have formally recognised tho Polish National Committee, which has been formed to secure Poland's independence, with access to the sea, and to raise a Polish army to operate in Franco and Russia. GERMAN BRUTALITY. Tho London Times correspondent at tho Rumanian Headquarters reports that as tho result of German brutality 16,000 Rumanian prisoners have died, most of starvation. UNHAPPY BELGIANS. A large number of Belgians, who refused to do work for the military, have been confined to the barracks at Zcvcncotte, near the Ysor front. They are marched into the firing zone every day, and many casualties have resulted. Official advices show that Germany continues to bleed Belgium financially and of her working men and materials. An incalculable enconomical waste is being inflicted on her working men, who are secured and forced to work at tho German front. Tho enemy aro conducting an insidious recruiting campaign uninterruptedly. They have also levied war contributions that now total over 288 millions, in addition to fines totalling 40 millions (? francs). TRAFALGAR DAY IN LONDON. Trafalgar Day was celebrated in the customary fashion. Wreaths were laid on the Nelson monument, including one from the Navy League in.memory of the French who fell at the battle of Trafalgar. The Lord Chancellor (Lord Finlay), speaking at tho Navy League 'uncheon, declared that when wo "dictated terms of peace the crows of German submarines and those in high places who gave them their orders should bo treated aa pirates. "Dawn was

already beginning to appear, and wo might look forward to a durable pcuco at no distant date. The Japanese Ambassador said that Japan had loyally fulfilled her obligations. She was gradually extending her naval and military operations, and to-day was actively engaged in certain portions of the European theatres. ALLIED WAR COUNCIL. Mr Maurice Low. correspondent for the London Morning Post, writes to his paper that the Allied War Conference, in which tho United States participates, will bo held in London at tho earliest possible date. It undoubtedly boars vitally on the war's future, Althouh primarily convened for a discussion on finance, it necessarily follows that the entire plan of campaign will bo discussed. A oomplete understanding lias been reached between tho financial and military chiefs of the United States, and their viewpoint will be co-ordinated with that of the Allies. The United States Treasury officers feel that increased efficiency will follow free and frank discussion. GENERAL NEWS. Generals Joffro and Pershing reviewed the First American Division in Franco. The London Post Office advises the resumption of tho carriage of prisoners' parcels to Turkey. Great Britain has granted Count Luxburg a safe conduct to Helsingfora. In the House of Commons, Sir L. G. Chiozza-Monoy stated that three standardised ships were completed to September 13. Applications for new British, war bonds last week totalled nearly £3S;000,000. Captain W. Douglas Reid, of tho Army Medical Corps, formerly of Blenheim, New Zealand, has been killed in action. Tho British authorities at Halifax, Canada, intercepted a bag of despatches for Sweden. The Swedish Ambassador was informed that he must disclose their contents. It is understood that the matter has since boon settled, and that the British, authorities will not insist on opening the bags. M. B. Beatie, a lieutenant in the Berkshires, and lately a resident of Palmorston (New ZealanrJ), died on active service. The British Admiralty reports that the mine-sweeping sloop Begonia is overdue, and is considered to be lost with all hands. " In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law stated that a Bill would be introduced further prolonging the life of Parliament. It is tmderstood that the extension will be for six months.

The latest Gazette published contains a long list of names of ladies who _ are mentioned for their services in hospitals, and include many who are assisting in English hospitals for Australians and New Zoilanders. Exclusive of street collections. _ £706.000 has been received bv the British Red Cross Society for tho "Our Day " collection, including £509 from tho Dominions and Egypt. The British Government is building 100.000 workmen's dwellings from standard designs to meet urgent war needs, and 200,000 later in anticipation of after needs. The new buildings will be desigr.ed on a gen-rous with ample gardens. Tho British Press Bureau reports that competition in designs for a memorial rj.,,,,,. <w n^H .of-kin of killed will close at the end of 1917, to enable members of the forces serving with overseas forces and artists resident in the dominions to partieimre. A critical situation exists in Turkey. The Liberals are co-operating with the Old Tui-ks, and are gaining public support. Severe mob outbreaks have been suppressed. The populace are suffering, and aro on the verge of rebellion against tho Young Turks and Germans.

Lord .PhauG-hnessy has issued a manifesto to the French Canadians urging that military service' is necessary, and suggesting its extension to all branches of industry furnishing war material; also advocating the punishment of frothy jingoes whose only contribution to the country is their lan- " The committee of the British Women's Hospital Association is appealing for an Empire fund for the benefit of nurses whose he.ilth has been impaired through war work: also to endow a college of nursing which will stand in the s»me relation to the nursing profession as colleges for_ pLysioi?.ns and surgeons to the profession of medicine and surgery.

The Dlstuisruished Conduct Medal has been awarded to nine New Zoalanders. The Military Cross has boon awarded in D. B. Murchison. of the New Zealand Mounted Fororis. and Military Medals to throo New

Major-general Brooking has been awarded rb" Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. "Goorgo (G.C.M.G.) in recognition of his services at the capture of Ramadie. Purine an interview. Lord NorthclifTe si id: "Ther" is '"nndn.tion for tho import that Lord Kitchener is alive. The Hamry?h#o wasn't torpedoed or mined, but struck a jagpod rock when travelling at 18 knots sneed." Lord PhondrK has o : reuh<r'sed the "Food Control Committees, emphasising the neces-s-'tv for materially reducing consumption. Unless every household complies with this, flm eomincr winter will be a time of gravest anxiety. There must be ri<r:d voluntary economy, or compulsory rationing -will be necessary. Th" Ao-enssia Volk (Rome) states that the Entente Powers are constituting a large international fleet from enemy and requisit:oried vessels, which will be distributed where thov are most, needed by a general •dlWl boprd. irim French Government has mentioned Dunkirk in army orders as maintaining its domestic life, for national defence. nnd for rendering inestimable services to fhe army, despite frequent violent bomfor years. The Brit'ih Press Bureau reports that the War O.Tirs is arranging for tho lVsue of a chevron (two hvoad bands, m»otinrr at an an<d") for officers and solders who entered the theatre of war in 1914. r>nd a bin" chovron for wlin enf"r"d subsonu<mtlv. with nn additional Wile ehevron for vear of service. This ensures a special distinctive mark for t.hose wno have served in overseas war theatres. np-,o ■Russian General Gourko has arrived in En<rUpd. He states that he was released, after- having been imprisoned for a month in Petrograd, with permission to qv.it Russia. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. ■ A new war regulation prohibits meetings or associations of persons of enemy origin. Corporal D. M'Alister, champion rifleman of Australia, has been killed in France.

Ho won throo King's pri7.es, including that at Bisley.

The naval authorities report that an expedition left PaDceto on the 10th inst. to rescuo the See Adler's victims on Molpha Island.

A non-political movement has been launched in Sydney with the- object of obtaining another referendum on tho quesof conscription. Tho movement is at present confined to New South Wales, from winch State a petition will be presented to Mr Hughes. The Australians in Egypt propose to erect a memorial to their comrades who havo fallen in the Sinai Peninsula and in Palestine Every Australian in Cairo has subfiv) shillings to the fund. Taa memorial will probably, consist of a broken, column on the banks of the Sue/. Canal. Tho New Zealanders are planning tho erection of a similar momorid! at Bire-ol-Abd where many of their comrades fell m ttie battle of Romani. Further mines hava been discovered c(r tho > Australian coast. Mr Cook, Prime Minister, has announced that mint-sweepers' revealed a minefield five miles south of Uabo Island, laid in deep ■wa't— in ?n open situation. Probably some hud b-en dragged from their original posit:, -i Long operations would bo necessary ig that all have been d-ostroveaV Mr Huffh.es w ? l : ns shipping, but points cut that thoro will be no danger provided masters carefully adhcro to their orders as 'to routo.