THE CENTRAL POWERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 21

THE CENTRAL POWERS

PLOTS AGAINST GERMAN GOVERNMENT. REVOLUTION IN BAVARIA. BOLSHEVISM IN HUNGARY. A STARVING POPULATION. (By Cable.) CHALLENGING THE GOVERNMENT. There -were strong scenes in the Prussian National Assembly. The Conservatives openly challenged the Government, and declared that the revolution was the greatest crime ever committed against the German people. The movement is regarded as a declara- . tion of war by the reactionary forces. Mr Dosch Fleurot, telegraphing to the New York Herald from Berlin, says that the Communists, in conjunction with the Russian Bolshevists, have fixed the middle of April for the overthrow of the Ebert Government and the establishment of a Soviet Government in Berlin. The Weimar National Assembly is scheduled to be seized on April 18. A general strike throughout the country will be simultaneously started. The Russian Bolshevists will co-operate, and compel Herr Noske, Defence Minister, to send German troops to the eastern frontier to meet the Red Army of invasion, thus preventing the loyal "German troops from interfering with the Soviet's uprising. PLOTS DISCOVERED. The German Government has discovered an extensive plot to proclaim North Germany a Soviet republic, and has arrested the leaders. There is intense excitement throughout the country. A strong insurgent force captured Herr Landsberg (a member of the Ministry) while attending birthday celebrations at Magdeburg. The Berlin Government sent an ultimatum to Brunswick, demanding the release of Herr Landsberg; otherwise war would be declared. Meanwhile the f>lice followed in a car, overpowered the cort, and released Herr Landsberg. The Government is taking very strong preparatory measures. It has 70,000 troops mobilised around the capital in xeadmess for eventualities. The strikers demand immediate demobilisation, the establishment of an entente with Russia, and the - dismissal of the Ebert Government. There is a panic on the Berlin Exchange and an all-round fall in prices. There was a general desire to realise on- securities, upon confirmation of the Munich Soviet proclamation. Government troops, with machine-guns and flame-throwers, surround the official district. The Government is determined to make a final fight against the Spartacists. A plot was discovered at Hamburg aiming at the declaration of a Soviet republic extending to Bremen and embracing the entire coast. STRIKES AND DISTURBANCES. Advices from Stuttgart state that the general strike of the Spartacists collapsed, that the leaders have been arrested, and that the Government control the situation. , . German Government troops, after, some rioting, arrested the Strike Committee in ■ Essen, where a Soviet has been formed. The Wurtemburg strike suddenly collapsed. A considerable number of Spartai cist leaders have been arrested. Violent disturbances have occurred "in Croatia, and martial law has been proclaimed Strikes in the Ruhr region have spread, and have involved a number of Krupp workmen. . Industrial trouble is acute in Germany. The strikes in Westphalia are due to the terrorism of the extremists. The Government has so far countered the strike, saying that no food will be supplied to workers who remain idle. Much Bolshevist money from Russia is being spent, thus fomenting the trouble. The situation is extremely critical. The Magdeburg authorities permitted a mass meeting on Wednesday in the principal square. The workers decided to continue the strike. The crowd shouted, "Give us arms." The excitement was great. Several demonstrators, including women, attacked the offices and fired shots in the air without result. The troops were compelled to fire on the crowd, killing and wounding many. Order has been re-established. The bank clerks in Berlin are striking, and it is expected to' extend throughout the country. The Government is endeavouring to settle the matter, but is opposing the strikers, who demand a share in the direction of the banks. A local old clothes dealer in Brunswick issued a proclamation establishing a republic, ordering a general strike, and dissolving the Diet. CONGRESS OF SOVIETS. At Berlin, on the Bth inst., the second congress of Soviets in Germany opened, with 243 delegates present. The Government took extraordinary military measures in connection with the congress, even searching public galleries for arms. The whole atmosphere is electric. The congress adopted Independent Socialist motions demanding the release of Herr Ledebour and an immunity for members of the congress similar to that given to members of the National Assembly. THE ECONOMIC POSITION. A White Book contains British officers' report* on the economic conditions in Gernf: All state that the poorer people are jerately short of food, .and unable to resist disease. A general ( attitude of injured innocence exists owing to the sup-

pression of war facts. The number of children is no-vtf two millions and a-half below the normal. The great scarcity of locomotives retards industrial recovery. Scarcely anyone credits German atrocities, which should be proved to the people. Berlin reports estimate that there are 3,000,000 unemployed in Germany. There are a quarter of a" million miners on strike in the Ruhr district. Meetings of Bolshevists are occurring daily*in various parts of Germany. Russian agents cross the frontiers unimpeded and procure passports at Konigsberg enabling them to travel throughout Germany. GERMAN FINANCES. A sum of £12,000,000 has arrived in London from, Brussels. It is to be held as a guarantee for Germany's undertaking to export products equivalent to the value of the food she receives from the Allies. German financial experts plead that Germany is unable to pay for food in gold, owing to the stock being soon exhausted by having to meet credits* due to neutral countries, and the lack of freedom for trade precludes the adequate financing of food payments. The Allies doubt this, and are now conferring with prominent neutral bankers regarding the alleged credits. Herr von Gwinner, director of the Deutsche Bank, interviewed by the Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent, quoted the German banks' financial transactions in European capitals on the eve of the war to show that German financiers were not prepared and were not consulted regarding the war, which he described as madness. Von Gwinner advocated a postponement for five vears of the payment of the money indemnity, and then a commission should ascertain what Germany would be able to pay. She cannot pay now, as Europe is ruined, and all the countries must help in putting Europe in order politically and financially; otherwise Bolshevism will engulf everything. Von Gwinner declared that Germany must immediately help to rebuild France and Belgium, and restore stolen metals, goods, and machinery. Von Gwinner added: The Allies previously held the trump cards, and could have done what they liked with Germany. The position is now doubtful. The Allies' must either put in a receiver to run Germany for the benefit of her creditors or allow her to laugh up her sleeve and get better peace terms than she conceived in her wildest dreams. The Allies should urgently control prices and the distribution of food. Germany has only one weapon—Bolshevism. If. the Allies" delay, the German Government will simply throw in its hand and say, " Do what you like." Then there will be a danger of Bolshevism overrunning and engulfing France and Britain. The Peace Conference ought to realise that it is dealing with a desperate, hungry nation. The issue is simple peace or Bolshevism. GERMAN OPINIONS. Herr Schiedemann, speaking in the Assembly at Weimar, said Germany would not allow Russia to dictate to her in home affairs, but if Russia stopped her forcible Bolshevist propaganda Germany would gladly 'extend a hand to the Russian peoples. As regards France, Germany desired conciliation. If Germany pressed for a plebiscite in Alsace-Lorraine it was in order to remove the " revanche " idea for all time. Count Rantzau declared that Bolshevism was Germany's weapon against the Allies. The Government was unable to sign a document essentially deviating from the basis of peace to which she first agreed. Germany required the release of the industrially and commerciallv important west, which was now cut off from the rest of Germany, and also required the speedy raising of the blockade and the importation of foodstuffs on conditions making their purchase possible. Germany also expected raw materials from her western enemies, and needed credit to purchase these. SOVIET REPUBLIC IN BAVARIA. Advices from Munich, state that a Bavarian Soviet Republic has been proclaimed, all workers' councils declaring that the entire labouring population of Bavaria is solidly united and is assuming all public power through, the Soviet Council, which has declared people's commissaries to replace the former Ministers. Everything belongs to the community, and all independent socialisation is prohibited. Advices from Wurzburg state that Communist troops seized the telephones, telegraphs, and newspaper offices, and that a general strike has .begun. All factories and shops, excepting food shops, are closed. Regensburg has declared for the Soviet Republic. German wireless messages point out that, although several Bavarian towns have declared in favour of joining the Munich Soviet Republic, these declarations are merely arbitrary statements by councils of workmen, and "not popular demonstrations. Already Ausbach has recalled its declaration. The Munich Central Council has placed mines, commercial undertakings, and newspapers under control, preparatory to their socialisation. .Wurtemburg, Baden, Hessen, and Magdeburg have recognised the Hoffman Ministry in Bavaria. The Munich revolutionary Government has ordered the release of all war prisoners, including thousands of Russians. Nuremberg has become the pivotal centre of the new Bavarian Government, and Herr Hoffmann has established the Premier's office there. The Ministers in Berlin are silent regarding their plans for counter-action. The Government will probably adopt its characteristic policy of inaction. It is expected that the Republic of North Bavaria will be shortly proclaimed. There is violent fighting at Magdeburg. A large number of the garrison joined the Spartacist3 and supplied the civilians

with arms, and they then proceeded _ to attack the police headquarters with a view to rescuing Spartacist leaders. Anarchy reigns. It is reported that the casualties are heavy. Work is at a standstill.

The revolutionaries have taken possession .of the railways and the post and telegraph offices. Absolute chaos prevails at Munich, and civil war is being expected to be announced any hour. It is anticipated that the Weimar Governmest will support the counter-revolu-tion in Bavaria, viewing Bavarian Bolshevism as equally dangerous with Russian Bolshevism. Undoubtedly Germany is in the grip of a very grave crisis. Berlin has the appearance it wore before the Spartacist revolution. The Spartacists are openly conducting propaganda with a view to completing their secret schemes for a general strike They posted armed pickets at Krupps', entirely rendering idle -the works. The formation of a Red Revolutionary army has begun, and 300,000 are already enlisted. The Essen and Dusseldorf strikes are extending, and over 400,000 hands are idle. The Munich revolution has extended to Augsberg and Nuremberg. It is officially announced that the Government consents to nine of the people's representatives acting as dictators until the revolutionary councils are formed and the Government establishes relations with Russia and Hungary. German wireless messages point out that, although several Bavarian towns have declared in favour of joining the Munich Soviet Republic, these declarations are merely arbitrary statements by councils of workmen, and not popular demonstrations. Already Ausbach has recalled its declaration. The Munich Central Council has placed mines, commercial undertakings, and newspapers ' under control, preparatory to their socialisation. Wurtemburg, Baden, Hessen, and Magdeburg have recognised the Hoffman Ministry in Bavaria. The Bavarian Government opines that Bolshevism in Munich will collapse without military action, owing to the stoppage of foodstuffs. The railway traffic to Munich has been stopped already, cutting off coal supplies. A WARNING. The Daily Express correspondent at Berlin states: The Communists owe their strength in Bavaria to the possession of food depots. The Allies must either hurry and make peace with the present German Government, or soon they will be faced with a Soviet Germany, which won't make peace at all. ' . Bavaria will never pay the Allies a red cent. To-morrow it may be Wurtemburg, and Saxony, and perhaps Prussia, until the whole* country, which is rapidly sinking in a fog of despair, goes over to Bolshevism. \ There are already signs of Bolshevism in Prussia. Millions of Russian money is being spent nightly in, the Berlin gambling hells, and well-dressed Russians are seen with £IOO,OOO or £50,000 in notes, and nobody carries such sums with an honest purpose. • /

HUNGARY'S SOVIET GOVERNMENT. b The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent states that the German-Austrian Cabinet has recognised the Hungarian Soviet Government.

Herr Polga,- Hungarian Ambassador at Vienna, described the rapid socialisation of the factories, workshops, and houses in Hungary. The theatres have been ordered to give several free performances for the workers every week.* The revolution is primarily aimed at freeing the proletariat and landless peasants. He added : " If the bourgeoisie are with us, it is because they have no alternative. We are closely allied, militarily and politically, with the Russian Government. That alliance is a defensive one."

The Foreign Missions and troops are leaving Budapest. There are no signs of reprisals by the Entente, and it is doubtful if the latter will seriously attempt to embark on an adventure against such a, childlike Government of Bolshevists.

The Daily News Budapest correspondent, describing Hungary's " freak Utopia," says that a mob raided the Budapest prison and released tha Communist, Belakun. A Soviet Republic was proclaimed half an hour later, and Belakun was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. Those who are devising the communising of industry ordered the bathrooms of the dwellings to be placed at the disposal of all children, the proprietors supplying hot water, soap, and towels. The correspondent interviewed Belakun, whose a,ge is 33. He was formerly Lenin's confidential agent. He says that everyone Willing to work will receive State wages and live decently. Belakun is not concerned over frontier questions, because he takes his stand on the platform of universal brotherhood, when all leadership will be in the hands of workers and rich people will cease to exist. The correspondent concludes by stating that hitherto the wealthy and middle class have not suffered from the upheaval. Travellers from Budapesth report that the great depression there fs overwhelming. The majority do not want a Soviet Government, but nobody ventures to express these views because the Government is acting with great strength. Thousands of lawyers, merchants, and officials are applying for labourers' work, for which the Government has fixed a wage of 25s per day. Many women and girls are seeking to enlist In the Hungarian Red Army. Racing is abolished in Hungary, and the racecourse at Budapest has been converted into a vegetable garden. The Hungarian Government Is taking control of the insurance companies, hotels, and boarding-houses, and has ordered the

confiscation of jewellery worth over 2000 crowns. It has ordered the banks to pay a maximum of 2000 crowns monthly out of private accounts. The Messagero (Rome) learns that, as result of disorders in Agram (Hungary) following the arrest of Radicals, 300 people were killed or injured. Reports from Hungary show that the revolution was not so bloodless as was made out. There were serious fusillades in the streets of Budapest, and many were killed and wounded. There was also much pillaging, and the Czecho-Slovak Legation was occupied by the Red Army. The whereabouts of the Legation is unknown. Red Guards raided the Ukrainian Legation and arrested the personnel, while a Russian officer distributed 2,000,000 crowns found in a building. Russia has informed Hungary that 801,000 armed prisoners of war are en route to Hungary through Ukrairiia. The elections of the Budapest Workmen's, Peasants', and> Soldiers' Councils, from which the National Council, will be formed, have been fixed to be held from the 7th to the 14th of April. Idle capitalists, employers, and priests are disfranchised. The socialisation of Hungary is proceeding rapidly. The Soviets are organising everywhere, under threats of the Red Army. FLEEING ARCHDUKES. The Socialists at Kosztholy arrested the Archduke Josef Franz and Count Julius Comssics, who were fleeing to Germany. The Archduke, who was collarless and muddy, declared that he had underrated the feeling in Hungary. He was quite satisfied with the Soviet ideals. _ He himself was in agreement with Lenin's ideas. Many women and girls are joining the Red Army. Several archdukes intend to proceed to Switzerland next week. • Minister Bauer has refused to issue a passport to Count Czernin to go to Switzerland, declaring that he did not want Count Czernin to meet Entente statesmen. GENERAL SMUTS'S MISSION. Although authorised to arrange new armistice terms with Hujngary, General

Smuts has departed -without doing *v British residents are leaving for Paris,

The Morning Post's Vienna corresponds ent states that General Smuts's Note to the Hungarian Government proposed * new line as the eastern limit for Hungarian troops, adding that the Rumanian* would be required to stand still, making a neutral zone between the two armies, and this zone would bo occupied by the troops of the four leading Entente Powers. General Smuts promised that this arrangement would not prejudice Hungary's territorial claims at the peace settlement, an<l said that Hungary's acceptance of it •would undoubtedly lead to the raising of the blockade. The Hungarian Government replied thai it would only accept under orders, and suggested that the limit be much further eastward, as' defined by the November armistice ter'ms. It also stipulated that the Soviet's rule in the neutral zona must remain unimpaired. The Government concluded by denouncing the Bohijt tion of territorial questions according to Imperialistic conquests. General Smuts reports that the Hungarian Government has no power outsida of Budapest. Therefore, it is useless fo# them to enter into negotiations regarding the establishment of a neutral zone b** tween Hungary and Rumania. POSITION IN AUSTRIA. The Austrian railway strike has been settled. A Vienna message states that the Gee* man-Austrian National Assembly passed unanimously a Bill relating to the banish* ment of the Hapsburg Royal Family. -» : A Bill was also passed abolishing capital punishment except in the case of martial law sentences. ' The Austrian Foreign Office is negotiat- ' ing with an Italian mission with a viercf \ to the establishment of an Austrian free . zone at Trieste. The negotiations are likely to result favourably. A. 6 a result of the Hungarian crisis tha Austrian Cabinet, in a fit of panic, haa> taken steps to change to a Soviet Government, if necessary; but the situation is now easier, owing to the Allies informing Austria that they do not intend to use

Austria as a base for operations against Hungary. It is not true that Hungary has declared itself Bolshevist as against Serbia and Rumania.

. Hungarian peasants continue to be hostile to the new regime.

CHILDREN STARVING

General Smuts brings an appalling report of the conditions in Austria. The children are starving in large numbers. He and other members of the mission ■were gftoned by starving children in Vienna. Austria, which was formerly one economic unit is now split up into five units, which have raised barriers against each other This, combined with poor transport, makes it impossible to secure food. Austria formerly looked to Russia for help, but is now looking to the Entente. Austria had become the most difficult problem the world has ever seen, and the shortage of shipping increases the difficulty of rendering assistance. To this shortage is also due the decision to send Polish troops across Germany rather than by sea and Dantzig. THE GERMAN COLONIES. The Daily Express Berlin correspondent has interviewed Johannes Bell, the German Colonial Secretary, who stated that, despite party differences on all other subjects, the National Assembly was united on the colonial question, the unanimous opinion being that Germany must retain her colonies. He said : "The whole people will back up our representatives in Paris in demanding their restoration—a demand based on President Wilson's fifth point. The retention of the colonies is a matter of honour. Germany had begun her colonisation programme, and had begun to elevate the natives to a higher plane of culture, and the work must proceed or Germany will be branded with failure in the colonial field. If the colonies are taken it will leave an unforgettable heart sting and stigma which will keep alive a secret yearning for revenge. Colonies are an economic necessity to Germany, a On the other hand, Germany before the war was England and America's most dangerous commercial competitor, owing to her lower cost of production. If she is, deprived of the colonies she will be an even more dangerous competitor. Germany will make an emphatic, outright demand to keep her colonies. She will not meekly sign anything the Entente propose." POLAND. It is announced that the transport of General Haller's Polish troops across Germany will begin on April 15. It is expected to occupy two months. M. Paderewski ? Polish Prime Minister, interviewd, said it was impossible to have any union of Germany and Poland. Poland must secure Dantzig as her property ; it belonged to her in past years. M. Paderewski { pleading for Poland, said to an interviewer: Without Dantzig Poland would become an empty shell. If Teschen be lost, Poland's industries would be crippled for want of coal. On the other hand, M. Kramarcz, in an interview, insists that the Czechs need Teschen's coal. He says the Poles have ample coal in Silesia. If the Czechs' faith in the Allies be destroyed Bolshevism would seize the Czech working classes. MISCELLANEOUS. The Hungarians and Czechs had a vio' L lent .engagement at Ungvar (in the Carpathian foothills, Northern Hungary), and several hundreds were killed. A plot involving Germans and other foreigners for stirring up rebellion against Czecho-Slovakia has been discovered. Advices from Vienna via Fiume, reiterate that the Bolshevists have declared war on Serbia. • Martial law has been declared in Serbia, which is demanding help from the Allies. Germany's population before the war was 68,000,000. It is now 65,000,000. Out of 1,250,000 foreigners' in Germany before the war, 500,000 have left. If the Peace Treaty deprives Germany of 3,200,000 inhabitants, her population will be 61,400,000; but Austria's joining in will add 6,500,000 to that number. The ex-Crown Prince, while motor cycling at Wieringen, dashed into a gate, and fractured his hand and wrist. Mr Perclval Phillips, writing from Cologne, states that British manufacturers have begun to sell goods in occupied territory. A Cologne firm purchased a large quantity of West Yorkshire cloth. British prices are considerably below French and Belgian.