AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1916, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

HOLLWEC'S HEROICS. HUMANITAKIANISM PLEADS FOR FEACE. t GRANDIOSE TALK.

New York, Nov. 30. A Berlin message states that in an interview, Hevr von BethiuannJHollweg said:—

"Again we have declared our willingness to enter upon negotiations for peace, but there has been no response. Our attitude has been represented in some Quarters as dictated by weakness. So far surely as the events' of the past year have demonstrated we did not speak out of weakness or fear, just as the events of the coming year will demonstrate this. "If wo adhere to our willingness to consider the cessation of the struggle, we are obeying the simple dictates of humanity, not of apprehension. I say this without concern as to the ultimate issue of the struggle, however prolonged, but under a solemn consciousness o( the sanctity of the flame of life, which should not be lightly extinguished by human misunderstandings which common counsel might dissipate." The Chancellor, shrugging his shoulders, continued:—-''But, of course, if our enemies are obdurate and choose to continue the hopeless endeavor, we can only continue to make them pay a bitter price for their folly. "The German soul is resolute and undaunted. Against our firm and farreached line the billows of attack will break in vain. There is nothing to affright us in any quarter. To-morrow we embark oii an enterprise for our defence of staggering magnitude. There has never been a mobilisation of national energy on so great a stale. An act for mobilisation for non-military service will be introduced in the Reichstag to-mor-row or Wednesday. Germany is absolutely determined to carry the war through, and thus is summoning the whole power of a united people, while the will of the people grows more determined to carry the struggle to any length necessary for the vindication of our rational integrity and destiny. It has ever been, and is now, our desire to resume the amicable exertions of peace as soon as we arc allowed."

Herr von Bcthmann-Hollwcg quote:] extracts from the speeches of President Wilson, Mr. .Asquith. and his own speech in the Reichstag, and contended that all gave evidence of a desire that eventually a world tribunal should enforce peace. He commented on the similarity of sentiment in the speeches.

Herr von 'Bethmann-Holhveg adde.l that the death of the Emperor Francis Joseph only means the passing of the sceptre into younger hands, which will have the same firm purpose and determination. Austria will stand shoulder l.> shoulder with Germany, and the common impulse will indicate their Imperial destiny." Received Dec. 1, 5.50 p.m. Amsterdam, Nov. 30. Herr von Bethmann-Ho'lweg, continuing, said: "We are ready to terminate the war by peace, safeguarding our existence and our future,"

Genera! von Stein (Minister of War), Dr. Helfferich (the Treasurer), and the Minister of the Interior (Herr Bassermann) strongly endorsed the Bill.

General Groener made a sensation in the ißeiohstag by crying: "I promise that just as P.oumania has fared, so England will fare, too; then, later, the whole bunch."

TREATMENT OF BRITISH PRISONERS. SWEEPING CHANGE IN SYSTEM. MAJORITY EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURE. Received Dec. 2, 12.20 a.m.

New York, Dec. 1. The New York Times' Berlin corvrspondent states that owing to the disclosures relative to the German prison camps, he visited Wittenberg and other.?. Of the vast number of prisoners less than 30 per cent, are in the camps. Owing to a sweeping change in the system,- prisoners arc now engaged on productive work, and it is estimated that 75 per cent, are working, mostly in country dis-tricts,-either voluntarily or compulsorily, under the farming-out "system, and they receive wages. The majority are engaged in agricultural pursuits and roadbuilding, while others are at factories and all kinds of businesses, thereby greatly adding to Germany's Avar productiveness. Noticeably, many Englishmen, particularly non-commissioned officers, flatly refuse to work, preferring harder conditions, because they cannot reconcile working for the enemy with the pride they feel as soldiers of the King.

AN OFFICIAL REPORT, Received Dec. 1, 5.30 p.m. London, Nov. 30. A German communique states:—ln the wooded Carpathians, on the frontier of Moldavia, the Russians continued their attack, and gained some advantages. The report claims that the fall of Kampolung opens tiie way across the Toerzburger Pass, and that the Germans captured 1217 men and seven guns at Kampolung,