Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1918. AUSTRIA'S PARLOUS STATE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14665, 24 July 1918, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1918. AUSTRIA'S PARLOUS STATE.

As the next, offensive we must look for from the Huns will probably be a peace offemive, we are inclined to view with a, good deal of reservation and suspicion the reports reaching us from tlie Dual Empire. Not that w© do not beliovo that Austria-Hungary is in a very bad way and her people most eager for peace—the evidence accumulated from neutral source? to this effect is too Htrong to be di&regarded— but having placed themselves within the shackles of German domination, the Austrians will not easily free themselves from the tyranny of a hard taskmaster, and their extremity will probably bo exploited to the full by the wily Teuton to liring about conditions of peace favorablo to Germany. So to-day /when we read that the Austrian Ministry Jias rcsigned'and that Count pzpvnin jias replaced Dr. SpidJpv at tjip heas of the Government, wp f col '.cpnvincofj that (^his is a subtle move to endeavor to pprsuadp thpAHips to reopen nego{ iatioijs. C'zpriup, it will bp .remembered,., was the .man who made pence nvpr^urps. to President -Wilsop and Was rebuked, for iji, ; beipg replacpd by the PnißsophiJo Seidlpr, bu£ his rpsfora Ition to power by no means denotes that German influence . lias lost its hplc| over the country. On the" contrary, 'as/' -an , official despatch message '■ received \. at

Ottawa, proclaims, Austria i.-s "aL the last gasp" owing ti> Germaii control. We have been so accustomed to news of »ri.^e^ in tho dual monarchy that w.-> prefer to await develo]iineiit« rather than speculate as to the outcome. It is true enonj* U thut Austria is. anil has long been, in a stiite bordering on chaos. Disruption began to manifest itself within a. lew mouths of the opening of the war, when it, became evident to tins long-disgruntled races that the: Government of the country* was completely uudei the thumb of the Kai-

nor, who was not only using his ally a* a tool, but was making .surer of his conquest, of Austria than he was ot tho occupied areas of tho enemy. While Wilhelm. was destroying property »n Belgium and Fr.mce, and thereby eonfossiug a doubt us to being able to retain French and Belgian soil, ho was covering Austria with military police, whose duly was to suppress any hostility to Hobenzoliernism. When Austria was virtually beaten by Serbia and Russia, and had to plead to the Kaiser for help, she came further under the domination of Berlin, while the last vestige of independence Mas wiped away when Gorman aid was sought t( lepel Italy. There is a. large German population scattered throughout Aus-tria-Hungary, and these Teutons have become the masters of the country. There are- many people who believo that Austria, has been the unwilling dupe of Germany and that she is ready to throw off the yoke if only that were possible. That may be true so - far as large sections of the population who have had no heart in the war are concerned, but it is not ' correct so far as it relates to the rulers of the country. Professor Masaryk, one of tlie greatest figures in the Slavonic! world, an exile from his native Bohemia with a price on his head, a member of the Austrian Parliament, a venerable scholar and patriot, is . travelling in America just now addressing Bohemian and other former subjects of Austria-Hungary regarding their duties, to the land of their adoption, and he is most emphatic as to the complicity of the Austrian rulers in regard to the war., "The Emperor Charles'," he says, "is" no mere' tool of the Kaiser. Berlin did not incite Vienna on to the war'. Vienna wanted this war. Vienna started!-- the war of her own free will. The Kaiser lent his support because war was necessary to the German scheme of ' a Mittel Europa. But Austria was a full partner in the scheme, an active plotter in its development. Austria is and always; has ■ been a mistress of duplicity. The United States has seen her playing the role of th© misguided- victim of German diplomacy ; a nation forced by coercion into taking part in tlie war. Her : agents have been busy since the war began giving publicity world-wide to this consummate actress. A feeling of tolerance toward Austria as compared with Germany has been the result.. Ever With US' has been tlie skilfully Implanted suggestion that Austria bitterly rued her bargain with Germany, longed to throw off the yoke of German influence and was ready to discuss peace. What an illusion ! It has suited Germany's j plans to perfection. For just so much as the Allies placed any faith in Austrian desire for peace, just so much has the war-making energy of "the Allies been weakened. It is perfectly plain that if you are expecting one of youi; opponents to cease figuring you will discount him as a factor in the final result." "But how about tho letter of Charles to Poincare " Professor Masaryk was asked. "Duplicity again!" he replied. . "Charles did not believe tliat| the letter would bo puH'ished^ Note his vehement denial when it was published. It was a characteristic Austrian trick to 'make France believe that Austria was not wholeheartedly in the war, and that in proof "of her protestations she would be responsive to a peace with 'no annexations/ And note how admirably ,tho reveljation of Ohai'lea* peaco proposals suited the Kaiser. We see the spectacle of Wilhelm hurrying to Vienna to investigate. From •' the "German. Viewpoint, the Kaifeer thus again establishes, himself as the mightier | of the two monarchs. Then the" treaty follows. Next we Ayill see Turkey and Bulgaria followiug suit- and- the fourcornered alliance bound up firmer than ever in pledges. If the peace letter of Charles had not been mado s public; the treaties would have been effected- 'just the same. And Charles ' would have labored under the delusion that' he had implanted a. false hope in the mind of the French leaders."' Austria, the professor went 'on' to say, is literally seething -with discontent, but the soldiers are in control of the disturbances. Ho had witnessed many demonstrations in liis own Bohemia during the war. But nothing is gained; the civilian population, have no guns.- As for food shortage, Austria? is suffering^ sorely; much more so than Germany. Berlin takes good care -that her own get the greater share of food that comes from outside the two Empires. ' It is a mistake, .however, to conclude the Central Powers oan be starved out. ".You must not forget," he -added, ""that the Bohemians, the Slovaks, the Poles, the Serbo-Croats, the Slovenes and ihe other nationalities. of the -Austrian Empire have, always been striving for independence and have always been discontented and revolutionary under the Hapsburgs. The people forget that the population of Austria and Germany is greater than that of England and France, and that the loss of man-power lias been felt equally in England and France. Austria and Germany both have their crop of young men springing up for service each year. But why conjecture along the , line of Austria's weakening or disintegration? Every moment devoted to' conjecturing should be given over unreservedly "" to "fighting. Let this fight be -waged without giving Lhe slightest consideration to any possibility "or probability but' beating the Central Powers. Someonp asked me whether the Allied plans of dividing up Austria into small States; according to the various nationalities if made known to the different nationalities, would not start a revolution in the army, I replied, how can the Allied aims and ideals be spread successfully among tho liberty -seeking^ element of the' Austrians?-- Even if propaganda to that effect was circulated in spite of the strict censorship would • not a backfire be started against it? You might succeed in lowering the morale of the taoops, but that would be all. There is only one way of spreading the propaganda of democracy- -in Germany and Austria, an^ thafc is by a decisive victory on the Western front, And there is only onp way of destroying the menace of Germany and that "is by dismembering the Austrian Empire. Aus : tria left intact after this war means that the two empires will be waging a second worlcWar *vs soon as they are ab-V*. Austjria dismomhered, means that Germany will have a perpetual barrier around her, over which she can only look toward the East and Bagdad. Speaking of world-war, neither Austria nor Germany anticipated that the war would assume- tho proportions it did. German preparation was such that she was ready to carry on a world-war when pressed to it. Austria thought she was prepared. The Vienna newspapers boasted of her complete "preparedness, but' '-Austrian's ay^' lazy T<nd lnefficienji in comparison, with Germans. She could not have defeated Serbia decisively without German aid. -THe United Staes will be the deciding factor in this war, but the United States' must fight without" the illusion that Austria will bo put out of it and the task thereby made an": easy one." The above appears to vis to bo a very sane and safe view to take of the situation. Wo' welcome all news of social l economy arid political diffibutyies in, 'Ausfcaj'wo like to hoar Socialist members in tho Reichrath blurt out as ono did the other day that "the entire war has become a family affair of tho Hohenzollem's," but wo are not going to fall for any prematijro p^aco propositions from'' the country which smarted the war, and which, as a telegram from Italy related yesterday, has been guilty of as uglv barbarities against prisoners and unoffensive civilians as even tho Huns. Austria must- share with her partner in crime the penalty of defeat. The Hapsburgs as ■• well 'aa tlie- HohenzoUews must go.

The Matawai Regimental Funds Committee are holding their monthly social and: dance on Friday •-venino. jyiv 0.6-

Tho Mayoress iMr-.s \\ . (.:. Shr-inil?! will be glad to rcceiv** oonlrjbiuii.u:- of calces, scones, pikelets, and gems for the t-'a-mom at the |xniltry show on Friday. They may be left at the Garrison ball.

Another very successful social in aid of Red Cross Funds was held in the Patntahi Hall last week, and resulted in a .substantial, sum being realised. The thanks 'of the "committee are' particularly due to Mrs. W. Atkins, hon. secretary, and to Messrs. Dolman and Gillman.

During winter show week at Hawera a <:ar_belonging to a well-known Tnranaki firm was spirited away. On Sunday it was discovered in Wellington. It is comforting (says the Stratford Post) to know that the removal of the car was not the work of an organised gang, but the freakish act of a young man.

About 20 tons of (worth approximately over £5000) formed the. most valuable part of tho steamer Blenheim's cargo outwards from Havelock the other day (says the Guardian). This was part of many months' accumulation from the Dominion Consolidated mine, Waka* marina.

A small outbreak of fire in the railway engine sheds, was • responsible for the brigade being called out about 6.30 p.m. yesterday. -The flare, however, was confined to a portion of the roof, and was soon extinguished. The brigade turned out promptly, and ren r dered assistance to those already at work on the fire, Avhich. is presumed to have been .started by a spark from a railway engine.

The following will represent Kia Toa in their hockey match with Allies to^ morrow afternoon : Z. Bates, R. Solvander, A. Jones, V. Bowler, N. Fairlie, F. Davidson, A. Hill, C. Trotter, F. Solvander, F. Hill, M. Fairlie, E. Smith, I. Howarth. The following will represent Allies: M. McConnell, 1\ Simeon, . L. Fanning, G. Fanning, N. Kay, T. Mount, .M. Ferguson, M. Colley, B. Pearce, E. Smith, V. Johnson. Emergencies, N. Aylward, L. Godfrey.

At the meeting of the P.B. Institute last night, Mr. G. J. Black said that this district had been very much neglected in regard to its Maori history. It was the only part of New Zealand neglected in that way. Jt was one of the things that should be remedied before the old natives passed away. Ho also intimated that he was prepared to hand- over a number of books which, were put of print to ..the- reference library, provided the latter was incorporated in the P.B. Institute.

On account of weather conditions '; at Gisborne and Napier, it was found necessary to-day to further delay the s.s. Arahura. The steamer is now'timed to leave -Napier to-morrOw morning, reaching here in the afternoon, and the last launch has been fixed meantime for 5 p.m. Since the above arrangement was made, the weather conditions at Napier became more threatening, a hoavv swell setting in from tlie east•ward, and it may be necessary to despatch the steamer to-night, in which case she will arrive -hero' in the morning a'nd be tendered on arrival if possible, the last launch still being fixed for 5 p.m.

The Women's Patriotic Committee have arranged"* stalls at the Poultry and Pigeon Show on Friday; and Saturday in aid of tho French War Orphans' Fund. Produce, sweets,, children's clothing,, a magic wheel for children, flowers, cakes, and competition stall are arranged for. Tea-rooms will also\ be installed. All entries for tho competition ; stall should, bo left at the Garrison Hall on Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., when one of the stallholders will be in attendance. It is hoped' that the publiei . will < give their hearty support to the Women's Patriotic Committee in their work for France. Donations may be handed in for this purpose to the Mayoress (Mrs. W. G. Sherratt). ;

The Orpheus Society intend holding their first concert of the 1918 season in the Opera House, oh the 6th August, and judging by tlie enthusiasm shown by the 'active members .at the practices they - should acquit themselves well at their public performance. The Society expect to have the assistance Of two soloists at this concert, in the person of Miss Hawl Fuller, of Wellington/ and . Mr_ Beaton, qf Auckland, both ot whom will .visit Gisborne with ' a reputation tor -uphold.. The subscribing members', list - is. filling rapidly, and those who have not so far notified the secretary of their desire to become^ ■* subscribers are advised to do soflmmediately, as. the programme is novr, being compiled for printing purposes find the society wish to diave. a roll, of members shown on same. The hon. secretary is Mr W. J. Sinclair, Peel street, who will be_ pleased to give, any information 1 required by intending subscribers.

Quite recently -a well-known. Gorman spy got permission to. visit, the British aerodromes. In. one. week he visited scores of sheds and counted 1 hundreds of new , Tlie. ,War Office is making no secret of the fact that our flying men pulled the; spy's leg for all they were worth. .One. day they, showed him over the aerodrome that oohtained a hundred brand new Handtey-Page machines. In the afternoon he visited another shed, some 60 miles, away and was shown apothor hundred of the same machines. Altogether he saw some thousands of Haridley-Pages ,and registered the fact, at the moment the Germans waje 1 about to' launch their big offensive in March hist. We ridw know_ that our flying mep. fletv their machines from oiie ; drome to another as the spy appeared. Ip all they made him count the same machines nearly 29 times without showing him the hundreds of big battlei' planes housed in sheds that be was not allowed to go near, \ ■-..,..., . ■ .. ■

The residents of Wainga-ke district tendered a most enjoyable evening on Monday last in honor of Miss M. Mitchell, the centre of attraction being Mrs Pyke's residenco, "Kanui." The dancing floor was in splendid order .and much appreciated '.by t'he young folk, while nohrdancers . were comfortably quartered in the drawing room, which was nicely arranged with card fables. During tho evening several songV^jiid reoitationg were contributed. Miss Gaason presided at the piano, also Misses Parker and E. Hepburn. The dining room tables were tastefully decorated with flowers, and the delicacies thoreon spoke well for the ladies who hnd that ! department in hand. At tho interval Mr. Joe Parker took the opportunity of presenting Miss Mitchell with a handsome dinner service, and referred to hor soedal services in the : district. Tho recipient suitably responded, and hearty cheers* were given. ' Dancing was then resumed till tho early "'hours of the morning, when the pleasant gathering concluded after tho singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

Tho response to the call to prayer, at midday has assumed in Johannesburg the proportions, of something afciu'to a spiritual revival," says a, leading paper m that city. "T^e,' sounding Of the ?mne I h . oote V^ tf\e'hig gathering in front °} ¥ le te\Y« hall, and . tho stopping °f WP tvam curs seem to have become part of our city lifei But this is not all. The quarter-hour services hav^, spread to the suburbs, -where, either fo" a cinema or at some outdoor centre, the same reverent crowd is M found. The Chamber of Cton«nerc's has loilawctl the lead of tho C^aruJbei, 4 'of Mi«M, and ! the request ' business in stores ! should, bo. aiisp.euded has* been very gen- j erally. conyili^d with; in many of the big Shops tho doors are, closed' for five minutes, cntomers befaig kept in or out as the case may be, whilst all serving to those, inside is at a. sla.wH.till'. Not only tho shops,, bin} at &aai, one of the law ooi^'ts susp^ida its business I whilst, )e.d/ )sf. the. presiding justice, ' those presenftstand in silence. It is the samp ip, itygt of the school's, and a ! visitor to thMrecenV" dog show is re- i sponsible, for fte statement that in the thick.of t4ie pjisinesa there men's hats camp off as'tftfrhooters sounded. *Even the authorities tf the Agricultural Shaw asked to have . dteervice on Easter Eve, arid one was 'bid. on. the-' grandstand at 3 o'clock in tw after noon* all work being stopped thy while,'* .

_ Redstone and Son's Coast coach leaves town at 7 a.m. -tomorrow. A_tiair.rr.i- wili be withdrawn from "Pivirp 10-iiiorrnw |',. r the purpose, of "Yerh;nil. - :i I},1 }, ■ - -_s A gift, social is to he held by. tho Methodist Ladies' utiild on Thursday evening next in the Bright street, school. In connection with the entertainmonts to be given by the Dusky:Danflics, a, portion of the proceeds, are to no used for financing tho tour, the-pro-fits going towards the Takitiimi hui » muls, which arc for patriotic purposes. New York is determined to make a oean sweep of idiom A number of able-hotbed men with no regular occiipa--1011 arrested Ul ,der the .anti-loafing law have been «ot to work with vacuum cleaners, on. the city buildings. The experimental length of concrete !o-l, i n \? an F, ltlk f i Ymo that I'M been laid by Mr G. Craw, a member 'of the Kairanga. County Couneil. has now. been completed (says the Manawntu Standard). The, piece of road, which is 18 feet wide, presents a splendid, ' oven surface and Mr. Craw's idea is to demonstrate that if roads are . formed in this manner, tho cost of upkeep will be a. negligible quantity, and tho saving eflected thereby will more than coiripensate for the increased .initial cost. . Brigadier-General Jobson,. of New South Wale*,, stated emphatically in England that when, tike .big body of Australians returned from the War eligible- men who shirked theii' duty would be isolated. The returned men would not associate with them. . v They were in for a warm, time, from'/ the soldiers. He spoke of the magnificent figh'tinoqualities of the machine gunners, at Me£ sines, Passchendaele, and in . ;other M^es. Australia,, he said, had 'done I '^* oi! 't -was that thevf had not 500,000 men there instead qf five divisions. '

Although a million . or so. of -women are engaged on war work in ..this country, the cities are crowded with "foolish, frivolous, idle women and girls that are a scandal and an offence iii these days of universal labor," says the Daily Mail of May 27. . Tlnj -outburst, Against the idle women of England arises 'from the fact that the boys are ; being qallecl from their school tasks and holidays to dp-work on the land. Passing, through tho / main thoroughfares of London: or any city in Great Britain one is shocked by the myriads of female ' drones' and pleasure-hunters who infest the cafes and places of amusement. s.

The Timarit courthouse presented' the aspect of a chemist's sKop the other day as on exhibition there were over 30- different kinds of , medicines which had been bought at various, places in the South Island. Small bottles, Ij&ge bottles, white bottles, blue*'" 'bottles, bottles of all shades and sizes, and boxes were laid out in "neat ari-ay on a table. The collection was found in 'the belongings of a man who died suddenly m Timaru. Tliere were enough medicine's to treat every disease known to medical men. Most of. the. bottles \yere empty, but some of ifchem had not 'Keen opened. What the man's object Vas in amaSsing such a large- number, f's a mystery. Officers of the ; Public ' itforkV Department state that although the headings of the Otira tunnel hav : e met, the work is ■ still ,a long way off completion./ Ono and n half miles, of .tlie '•tunnel require to bo Avidened to full size, and. : lined with concrete v . Labor, is so scarce" that only one-third .of/the. full number of men is at work, • and if this scarcity continues, it will bo' two years, or. even longer, before the permanent why can be laid through the long tunnel. Electricity baa bdeii adopted a s : iho power for working the line. Steam is out. of the quoftt ion, owing to fumes. completion of the advance headings ivili make the rest of the work .. easier" as natural drainage' will; bo . available 'and ventilation will he,, improved; .: '*■