THE CENTRAL POWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 21

THE CENTRAL POWERS.

THE KAISEIVS SPEECH. OPINION OF GERMAN PEOPLE. (By Cable.) The Kaiser, in a speech at Homburg, declared his wish to live tit peace with his neighbours, but added: "A German victory must be first acknowledged. Our troops will gain it under the great Hmdenburg; then will come the peace we need for a strong future. To this end the violent powers of Heaven must assist us. Everyone, from schoolboy to greybeard, must set his thoughts on conquest and German peace. The Patherland will live." Mr Simms/, .telegraphing to tho United States from Zurich, states that he learns on reliable authority that the Kaiser Has declared that President Wiyjou's terms are sufficiently reasonable to form the basis of peace, but the Pan-Germans have silenced tho Kaiser. ' „. Tho German masses no longer expect victory, and believe that another oftensive will result only in further Teutonio casual•ties. . i u Fifty great Slocialist meetings were held in Berlin suburbs on Wednesday. Ihe speeches were rigorously' censored. The Times' Amsterdam correspondent states that food riots are reported m Bavaria. Women stormed the offices ot the Administrator, stoned officers, plundered shops', and smashed windows. THE AUSTRIAN POSITION. Count von Preysing, in the Bavarian Upper House, interpellated the Government upon Germany's War Bill taxation After the war it would be nine and a-haii milliard marks, which was fourfold what it was before the war, necessitating an average taxation of from 50 to 60 per cent, upon incomes, or a confiscation of capital to a minimum of from 40 to 50 milliards Dr von Breunig. Finance Minister, admitted that 10 milliards of marks were required to meet the interest. ■''./' Other speakers deplored the statement, as creating the impression that Germany was faced with financial ruin unless she got indemnities. . , Count Toerring, the Crown Prince s brother-in-law, declared that the Imperial Government would not insist upon indemnities. She should strike for an honourable peace and not a Pan-German peace. MAKING TERM'S WITH RUMANIA. King Ferdinand of Rumania has charged General Averescu with the formation or a new Cabinet. .- , Tlie Central Powers are said to have sent an to Rumania through General Mackensen, which was scornfully rejected, Rumania choosing to survive or .perish with the Allies. Germany dangled tne bait ot Bessarabia before Rumania on condition that the Dobrudja is kept by Bulgaria. In order to give the New Ministry time to consider the matter further, tho Central Rowers extended until the 22nd inst. the date allowed for a reply to the ultimatum. . •..,,,. M. Radoslavolf, Premier of Bulgaria, interviewed concerning the Berlin conferences which he attended, said the Central Powers will insist upon the complete capitulation of the Rumanian army, and thereafter will consider what terms shall be granted to Rumania. The Handolsblad learns from Vienna that Rumania intends to negotiate with the Central Powers provided the sovereignty is not assailed and the solution of the dynastic question is left to the Rumanians. A Russian wireless message states that the Rumanian General Staff has arrived at Petrograd with a proposal for an armistice, with the object of considering peace conditions. Ihe proposal was. agreed to, subject to the suspension of attacks during the armistice. The message admits that the credentials of the Rumanian delegates are doubtful. Ihe Matin's military expert states that 32 divisions of German infantry and several divisions of cavalry will remain on the Rumanian front. INTRIGUES IN SWITZERLAND. Swiss Socialists, in conjunction with the Zurich Workmen's Union, are planning a revolution on Bolshevik lines. They have .demanded that the Government shall withdraw compulsory civilian service and demobilise the army before May 1, and abolish the Federal Council's war powers; otherwise a general strike will be ordered, i Mr Simms, in a further despatch to the "United Press from Berne, says:_ "The Swiss believe that tho Allies will win this year if the west front holds firm. Hindenburg does not expect Austria's help, as the wobbling Emperor Karl fears to send many Austrians to the west front.. Ludendorff has reorganised the German army, and has probably 200 divisions ready for the offensive. I am informed "that the Germans have completed plans to invade Switzerland if such a course is necessary. Hindenburg is massing troops and ammunition against the French right flank, and the Swiss are asking whether the treaty of 1815 is to be the next scrap of paper. The Germans in Zurich onenly boast that Germany could smash the Swiss army in 48 hours. Tho Swiss believe that Hindenburg will net hesitate to invade Switzerland if he considers it advisable. The country is alive with German agents trying to start a Swiss' revolution."

GERMANY WANTS INDEMNITIES. Semi-official Munioh papers state Jhat the Government and tho Finance Minister agree that it will bo necessary to domand heavy indemnities from, tho Western Allies, otherwiso Germany's finances will bo crippled for a century. Germany is aflame with renewed war fever, which is affecting all olasses. As a result of ,extravagant press jubilation over the Brest-Litovsk negotiations, there is a growing demand everywhere for the Government to insist upon heavy indemnities from the Allies, and especially Britain. Germany would be content with Ukramia s payment in foodstuffs and materials, but the Allies must pay in cash to relieve immediately the critical financial position.