Central Powers

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 43, 16 September 1918, Page 8

Central Powers

—<*j>- -. i K.VSER'S ESSEN SPEECH. ! • NEWSPAPER COMMENT. i Prps« As soointio'i ; CV>pvrit;iit, A intra linn ni.irl N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 8.45 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 15. German papers publish long comments on the Kaiser's speech at Essen. Some congratulate, liim on taking tlie:leadership, and assert that" it has much affected the prcple. The newspapers are full of articles breathing loyalty and admit he has done much to enhance his personal prestige in the eyes of all Germans. Socialist papers emphasise the > Kaiser's remark that this is not the/ time for party difference, and say this ought to ho a lesson to the Prussian junkers nofc to resist .Prussia's legitimate claim to general franchise. GERMANY FROM WJTHIN. BERLIN COUNCIL ACTION. Press Association—Copyright, Austra Han and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received $..45 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 15. The Independent Socialists intro- , dueed a motion in the Berlin city j council requesting that invitations be issued for peace discussions owing to the daily increasing distress, the reduction of the entire standard living, increasing criminality, and the increasing death-rate. '• ■ I THE 1 HIND ENJBURjG STATUE LEADER'S POPULARITY WANES. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. • (Received 8*.45 a.m.) Home, September 15. The famous Hindenburg statue in Berlin has been surrounded by a barricade, owing to unknown persons nightly defacing it With insulting inscriptions. WORKERS' CRJEVAS^GES. DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR. WHOLE PEOPLE DISCOURAGED. LITTLE REDRESS PROMISED. Press Association- -Copyright, Austria lian and N.Z- Cable Association. • (Received 9.10 a.m.) Berlin, September 15. The Tageblatt reports some remarK able' proceedings in connection wTTh a trade union deputation to Chancellor Hertling on J.2th September. The spokesman said the poople had become seriously discouraged by recent' events, Sind felt that they were economically sinking. The food continued bad and was dangerously insufficient, while the prices wore extortionate, consequently the bodily strength of the workers was declining. They must have more meat and potatoes. Workmen's, trousers,' which used to cost four, marks, were now sixty, and lasted only a quarter of the time and were unmendable. The people's augci over the Prussian suffrage question had ; reached boiling point, nnd the military censorship and martial law lay heavy on the trade unions. They urged, now that the exhaustion of our enemies had begun and a breakthrough had failed, it was time for peace by understanding. flcrr Hertling assured them that the political leaders and high command were striving for such a peace, and were unanimously opposed to conquests'. As regards equal suffrage, he repeated the promise of the Secretary of State. Tie also stated that substitutes for clothings must be utilised, i Colonel Brann, of the War Office, promised to examine the question of shortening the working hours, but this WSi'S impossible in the mines. ■Socialist Deputy Legion, in replying, said the Minister's statements in regard .to food and the hours, showed that the situation was hopeless, as the could not work the present hours. GERMAN PEACE TALK. Press Association—Copyright, Australian ft.no W.Ti'. Cabin Association Amsterdam', September 13. Continuing his speech at Stuttgart, 1 Vice-Chancellor von Payer said: Wo I laugh at the idea that we should penI i'tently ask mercy ere we are admitted j to pdaCC' negotiations; we laugh at I fools who babble of revenge. Peace by understanding will bring nothing humilitating for us, nor a period of misery and wretchedness. It would be an illusion to calculate on the will to peace in those circles among our .enemies which are responsible for the ['Opening and continuing of hostilities. They cannot admit to their countrymen thati,;their aims arc unattainable, their sacrifices vain ; but others among those, peoples will think differently. Moreover, those others will prevail sooner or later, and until then there remains for ns nothing but to defend our lives. THE DURATION OF THE WAR. SPECIOUS PROMISES. Press Association—Copyright, Austva* 'lian.'and N.Z. Cable Association.' : (Received 9.10 a.m.) Amsterdam, September 15. Herr von Hertling told the Trade Union leaders that the war would not l&ati & moiiiettt longer than was ah-

solutely necessary for Germany's defence. He confidently hoped that''they were nearer peace thai) was generally believed. I Herr Erzberger told an interviewer that it was possible the longed-for peace would conic- in a short time. WEST AFRICA ATROCITIES. LOST GERMAN COLONIES. AN INDIGNANT PBES&. Proas Associat ion- - Copyritfttt. > (Received 9.25 a.m.) Amsterdam, September IS. i The Cologne Gaswtle publishes an indignant article on the exposure of the German West Africa atrocities, and says: Hypocritical Albion thereby attempts,to conceal her predatory instincts behind a moral fig-leaf. The. paper reiterates that the rejourn of the German Colonics constitutes the fixed yim of the Gorman people.