THE CENTRAL POWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3349, 22 May 1918, Page 25

THE CENTRAL POWERS.

FOOD RESERVES NEARLY EXHAUSTED. NEW AUSTRO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. ARMIES UNDER ONE COMMAND. (By Cable.) Mr Cyril Brown, the New York World's Hague correspondent, learns that Germany is approaching a new and grave war crisis. The people are alarmed because of the delay in securing victory and the dwindling food supplies. Comparative plenty was enjoyed during the winter, but this condition of affairs is now being succeeded by hunger. The meat ration has already been reduced. Sickness is spreading alarmingly, and 23 per cent, of the population is suffering from disease. Germany's food reserves for civilians are near exhaustion point, and no relief is in sight. A Berlin official notification states that the daily bread rations will be reduced on the middle of June from 200 to 160 grammes, owing 'to the arrivals of grain from Ukr-ainia being disappointing. Owing to the insufficiency of revenue from direct taxation, Germany proposes a heavy non-recurrent war time income tax, estimated to raise 1,200,000,000 marks. (The mark is nominally worth U3d.) ELECTORAL REFORM. The Prussian Lower House adopted the third reading of the Electoral Reform Bill by 236 votes to 185, but with the equal suffrage clause deleted. The Progressive Poles and Social Democrats opposed the emasculated Bill. The Minister declared that the Government had employed all constitutional means to carry equal suffrage, and failing its acceptance within a definite period the House would be dissolved. HAMBURG'S AIMS. The Hamburg Senate, has forwarded to the Bundesrat Hamburg's special war aims, including an adequate indemnity, preferably of raw material; an adequate colonial Empire; payment of all foreign debts due to Germans; grievances of Germans abroad; prohibition of boycotts, and other hostile measures aimed at German goods and shipping; re-establishment of the German mercantile "marine on all oceans, with equal rights with other nations. GERMAN BIRTH RATE. German statistics show a decline in the birth rate. Compared with the pre-war rate they represent a decine of 2,000,000 babies in three years. The infantile death rate is fairy low, but high compared with that of England. The German Commission on the declining birth rate recommends compulsory marriage, and in this connection suggests an age limit of 20, with financial help, but penalties to be provided for childless unions. MUTINOUS SOLDIERS. A mutiny occurred in German regiments at Wisenberg, in Esthonia, and several officers were killed. The German High Command sent trustworthy troops, and these arrested 200 of the mutineers, of whom 10 were immediately shot. Another mutiny occurred in a German regiment at Dvinsk. A DOUBTFUL CONCLUSION. The New York Globe's Amsterdam correspondent interviewed a Dutch traveller from Germany, who stated that hatred of Austria is growing in Germany. The feeling there is that if the Central Powers lose the war it will be because of the incapacity and insufficient support from Austria. The publication of the Emperor Charles's peace letter, with its reference to Alsace-Lorraine, brought this feeling of resentment to its highest pitch, and Austria's refusal to send troops to the west front increased Germany's contempt. A FARMER'S OPINION. . The Bavarian agrarian leader (Dr Heim), addressing the Farmers' League at Munich, said the cattle and other stock had been decimated, and the soil exhausted. It -would be self-deception to believe that pre-war conditions would ever return. Rebuilding would take decades, and Germany would be unable to export goods, which were needed at home. Salvation lay between free trade and compulsory State control. MEETING OF KAISER AND EMPEROR. NEW AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. A German official message states that the Emperor Charles visited the Kaiser at the main headquarters, accompanied by Baron Burian and von Era, Chief of the Austrian General _ Staff. Germany was represented by Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and von Kuhlmann. The discussion was cordial and thorough regarding all the fundamental, political, economic, and military questions affecting Austria and Germany. There was complete accord on all these quastions, and on the extension and deepening of the existing alliance. The guiding lines of contemplated contractual agreement already exist in principle. Von Hertling, Chancellor, and von Kuhlmann, Foreign Minister, have returned to Berlin from German Headquarters. They refused to receive the Reichstag leaders until after Whitsuntide, despite the leaders' demand for an immediate private interview to discuss the recent agreement between Austria and Germany. Liberal and Socialist newspapers warn

the Government not to bind Germany to Austria before the Reichstag is consulted.

The Munich Neueste NachrLchten, referring to the Bavarian King's visit to the German Headquarters for participation in the Austro-German negotiations, states that the hour is grave. Bavaria cannot allow Prussia to bo the sole arbiter of Germany's destinies. The King of Saxony is proceeding to Headquarters for a similar purpose. Despite the Kaiser's announcement, the Nachrichten's Vienna correspondent states that the Emperors renewed the alliance for 25 years, and also arranged a closer military union.

A Budapest telegram states that no formal treaty hae thus far been drawn up between the Central powers. No alliance contemplates defence against any possible coalition of Powers, but it is announced that there is no intention of frustrating the establishment of a universal league of nations with which the new alliance can be connected.

Dr Wekerle, the Premier., in a speech in the Hungarian Chamber, denied that the new Austro-German Treaty affected the independence of the Austro-Hungarian army, though certain military agreements had been reached. Similarly, though an economic rapprochement had been arranged, it did not prejudice Hungarian economic independence. The agreement required the Chamber's approval. He declared that the Emperor Charles's peace letter had been satisfactorily explained to Germany, and the incident was regarded as closed.

German newspapers assert that Germany will ■ shortly arrange conventions with Bulgaria and Turkey similar to those with Austria.

Reports to Switzerland indicate that the meeting between the Kaiser and the Emperor Karl proved unsatisfactory. The conference was much shorter than was Scanned, and the return of the Emperor £arl to Austria caused most diverse comments in Germany.

It is announced from Vienna that the Emperor Charles will shortly be visiting Sofia and Constantinople.

ARMIES UNDER ONE COMMAND. A Budapest official message states that the German-Austro-Hungarian Military Convention provides for unified command of the two armies in troops, reserves, and armaments. COUNT HURTLING INTERVIEWED.

Count Hertling, German Chancellor, interviewed by the Berlin correspondent of the newspaper Az Est, said he rejoiced at the German-Hungarian comradeship in arms, which had secured the better protection of Hungary's frontiers and other guarantees against a Rumanian attack. Count Hertling dwelt on the beneficial effects of the new Austro-German alliance, which, he declared, was " not aggressive, but was designed to secure our place in the sun." The Chancellor added smilingly: "If the'' world is ever united in an international peace league, Germany will unhesitatingly join. Unfortunately, present conditions give the smallest hope of such a league. Our desire is to win and preserve peace. We are now fighting for our existence and the peace which we long for. I am optimistic enough to believe that Ave will have peace this year, althoi7gh the Entente statesmen still talk of crushing the Central Powers. It might have been thought that the attacks on Mr Lloyd George, which, after all, indicate the strengthening of the peace idea, would have created a better basis for peace; but this was not the case." Nevertheless, the Chancellor said that he was firmly confident that further events on the west front would bring nearer a speedy end of the war. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. German newspapers state that at the conference between the Kaiser and Emperor Charles of Austria and their Ministers, Kings were appointed for Lithunia, Courland, Elsthonia, and Poland. Vorwarts states that the various German courts are most excited regarding opportunities of obtaining a throne in the East, and agents are journeying in all directions on behalf of the competing claimants. As there will be at most six thrones to distribute, and as the German dynasties number 22, Vorwarts suggests filling the thrones with Turkish princes, otherwise German unity may be imperilled. Max Harden, in Die Zukunft, argues that the vital interests of Austria and Germany are divergent. He declares that the Mittel Europa idea is " brilliantly organised folly." Austria wants meat and raw materials and the money to purchase them. Victories on the battlefield will not yield money. She also needs freedom to make agreements with the Powers which are Germany's enemies and not Austria's. She needs American friendship most of all, and longs for peace with America. Vorwarts declares that the Austro-Ger-man Alliance can continue only if based on the peoples' willing consent, but there is little sign of this consent in Austria, where Germany is unpopular owing to Pan-German propaganda.

INTERNAL CONDITION OF AUSTRIA.

FAMINE AND DISEASE

Two Italian nurses released from Vienna state that the condition of life there is almost insupportable. Deaths _ from exhaustion are continually occurring in the streets. A physician informed them that 2000 people are buried daily in the principal cemetery. The gravity of the internal conditions in Austria is illustrated by a meeting of representatives of all classes at Trieste demanding succour. ■ The notice calling the gathering stated that Trieste was without reserve resources, and added: " We refuse to die of starvation. Even people who were rich before the war now live by begging public

charity. Malnutrition and hunger prevent workers from doing their daily task, and the statistics of sick and dead are terrifying. The city declines to become a cemetery. If the Government will not provide for the inhabitants they will not die of starvation, but will prefer any other death."

The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that the annual fair at Leipzig was a decided success. Many Bulgarian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish buyers attended. There were no luxury articles. Leather and rubber goods were exhibited, but there were thousands of substitutes, especially- in foods. German manufacturers are producing large quantities of cheap fancy goods made from substitute raw materials, which are cheaper, more plentiful, and more durable than the original raw material made before the war. It is untrue that German manufacturers are accumulating vast stocks for foreign markets after the war. The factories are working under difficulties, but they will not take long in getting busy after the war. Meanwhile they are supplying goods to Holland, Scandinavia, the Balkans, and Turkey. AUSTRIAN NAVAL MUTINY. Details of the Austrian naval mutiny at the end of April show that it broke out almost simultaneously at Pola and Cattaro, so it is assumed that probably the two risings were preconcerted. The workmen at Pola struck, demanding mitigation of sentences passed on various offenders. The officers and crews of numerous ships joined the workmen's movement. The authorities yielded, granting all the demands. The rising at Cattaro took a more serious course. The crews of six cruisers and number of destroyers declared for a revolution. The German element in the crews refused to participate, and collisions occurred, resulting in some bloodshed. Eventually the mutineers seized the port, arresting an admiral and some officers. They took charge of the wireless station, from which they telegraphed their demands to the authorities at Vienna. The authorities gave them an evasive answer, and in the meantime ordered a naval division to go to Cattaro. The mutineers opened negotiations with the authorities, the outcome being that the mutineers surrendered, Avith the promise that the Government would not punish them. The authorities dismissed several high officers on the grounds of lack of firmness, and a new admiral with a reputation for severity was appointed. A BOHEMIAN REQUEST. It is reported from Vienna that a deputation of Czechs, including members of Parliament, warned von Seidler that if the Government created a Constitution in Bohemia on the German model the Czechs would raise a sanguinary revolution. Von Seidler told a strikers' deputation that the prospect of a general peace was not hopeless. The Kaiser waa doing his best to bring about negotiations. TERRIBLE DISTRESS IN THE BALKANS. The Agram (capital of Croatia-Slavonia) newspaper Glasslaboda draws a terrible picture of distress in Bosnia and Herzegovina—worse even than in Galicia and Bukowina. Whole districts have been devastated and depopulated. Numerous inhabitants who have been deported have died at internment camps, and those remaining have been massacred by Austrian soldiery or died of starvation. The deaths exceeded the births by 5000 in 1915 "and by 23,711 in 1916, the mortality not .including those who have fallen on the battlefield. The whole of the live stock has been destroyed or consumed by the army, and it is impossible to cultivate owing to the absence of oxen. THE RUMANIAN PEACE TREATY. The Jassy official announcement of the signing of the peace treaty mentions the dissolution of the Rumanian Parliament. The treaty will be submitted for ratification to a new Parliament, which is to assemble on June 17. The commercial agreement between Germany and Rumania abolishes any third party Customs preferences. It provides for the construction of a telegraphic and telephonic system, which will bring Rumania into the closest touch with Berlin. The Premier (M. Marghiloman) states that Bessarabia in its entirety, except for a slight rectification of the northern frontier/has been joined to Rumania. GERMANY AND URUGUAY. The German Government has notified Uruguay that a state of war does not exist between the two nations. The Germans have responded to a request from Uruguay that Germany should define her attitude.