GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1918, Page 5

GERMANY.

SCHEIDMANN INTERVIEWED

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO BE CALLED.

WORK AND FOOD "WILL PREVENT

BOLSHEVISM,

Beeeived X<w. 27, 1:20-a.m.

New York, Nov. 25. Mr. Dosch F leu rot, telegraphing from Berlin, via Copenhagen, slates that lie interviewed Hcrr I'!iil,j, Scheideraami, wtio said a Gorman National Assembly wrold probably be called in February. "We would call it sootier if it were technically possible," ho said, "in order that the whole world mav understand and appreciate our determination and sincere I purpose to establish & democracy in Germany. We need fveral weeks to register voters and construct the election j machinery. Therefore, we are unable to fa the date of the National Assembly. r I understand nfty the rest of the world doubts our ability to carry out our plan for a National Assembly, but only a national catastrophe, soch as famine, can | prevent it.

"Ninety-five per cent, of the German people clamor for a Constitutional Assembly, while only a few, on small | grounds, wish for class rule.

"Bolshevism won't come to Germany if work and food are obtainable. Germany's temper is not Bolshevistic; but famine may destroy resistance, which has already been weakened seriously. If Germany becomes Bolshevistic she will constitute a menace to other lands. This danger can be averted if we have food. If America wishes to help Germany to establish herself as a finn democracy, and to avoid proletarianism or autocracy, then you must give us food immediately.—Aus. N.Z. Clable Assoc.

THE COUNTRY EXHAUSTED.

UNEQUALLED PROLONGED MISERY.

New York, Nov. 25.

Mr. Dosch Fleurot cables from Berlin: "The strongest impression I get coming into Germany is that the country expects a certain famine unless her former enemies come to her aid. The trains are not heated or lighted, and the trams in Berlin are muddy and shabby. There arts few loungers in the vast empty cafes. Almost all tflie traffic in tlie streets consists of worn-out soldiers homeward bound.

"The general impression is of prolonged misery, unequalled by what I have seen during the war. Even in Russia, except for the organised starvation of the bourgeoisie, there is no such misery. Germany has reached fie absolute limit and lies exhausted. "The issue now is between a democratic Constituent Assembly and a proletariat Soviet Government. Despite the demand for action throughout the nation the present Government has not yet derided which form to adopt. ''According to its opponents the Government Uans towards the Soviet organisation. The issue is so widely understood that soldiers en route from France to Berlin telegraph every day demanding the Constituent Assembly. "The Majority Socialists, who are lighting for a Constituent Assembly, are not as active as formerly. The Minority Socialists are sufficiently strong to prevent fie Government taking definite action." Mr. Flnurot is struck by the absence of rifle- in the streets, which compares favorably with the conditions in Bussia at the beginning of the revolution. The Germs"n soldiers wish to be furnished with rifles— Aim. SX Cable Assoc.

Copenhasen, Xov. 25,

Jud before his death Herr Ballin prepared a scheme to «nable German shipping to surmount The military debacle. It was ba*ed on tfoe belief that Germany would be allowed to keep her mercantile fleet at her own disposal. In return Germany would undertake to build slips exclusively for the commercial fleets of the Entente, especially for England, the prices and times of delivery to be fised. The new Government accepted Herr Ballin's scheme.— Aus. X.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE INTERNAL SITUATION,

HIGHLY CRITICAL.

London, Nov. 2-).

The Munich correspondent of the Daily Xews says that the internal situation in Germany is highly critical. Tiie extremists in Berlin are hourly growing bolder, and, unless the home-coming troop* vigorov.-ly support the present Government. Dr. Liebknecht and the Ppartacus group will be masters. It is believed that the troops favor the speedy convocation of a National Assembly. Many army meetings protested against Bol&evik methods. Tlie Bavarian authorities are determined on a rupture with Prussia if Bolshevism is successful. The Bavarian Premier favors ten German republics, with Vienna, in the south counter balancing Berlin's influ- ! ence. The three southern republics will be Bavaria, German-Austria, and Baden, Wurterabur? and Hesse united. The , three will be strong enough to counter Prussia, which will itself be divided into three republics.—Aus. X Z. Gi'ule Assoc.

A SOCIALISTIC STATE.

RATIONS IN BERLIN INCREASED.

Lonuon, Nov. 23.

The Copenhagen correspondent of tlie Daily Express states that Herr Ebert, interviewed in Berlin, said: "Only a handful of idiots demand that the war should be continued. The soldiers rcnard such a stsp as suicide. The political leadership to-day lies in the hands of the Socialists, with bourgeois Ministers holding expert portfolios. Germany will be a shining example to the world of the first successful Socialist State. ' Dr. Liebknec&t, interviewed, states that the present Government has driven him to extremes. Previously the extreme Socialists were not Bolsheviks. Other messages state that the bread, ration in Berlin is now 3S ounces, compared with 30 ounces in September; the meat ration has been doubled and costs la 3d weekly; the potato ration is 121b weekly and carta 1%4 PW Ib.-Aui N.Z. Pablo AMOC «