LATE WAS NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16037, 23 January 1918, Page 7

LATE WAS NEWS.

ITALY FORCES OF CENTRAL POWERS. number About eoo.ooo. V , By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received Jan. 23, 1.5 p.ra.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 22. Official cables from Rome, state that the Central Powerk are 'maintaining 53 divisions on the Piave and Brenta lines. AUSTRIA AUSTRIAN MINISTERS, CLIMB DOAVN HASTILY. BEFORE DEMANDS OF LABOUR. (Received Jan. 23, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 22. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Daily Chronicle reports that the Austrian strikers behaved in exemplary fashion, avoided disorder, and 1 continued absolutely'necessary work of traffic, and observed perfect discipline. The workers presented a united Iront and the Gov ernment was faced witli a serious situation. Tlie Government’s hasty climbdown demonstrated the workers’ strong position and their determination to bring matters to a head. Count Czorniu realised that it was advisable to crapkasi.se in the most direct terms, that the Government of the Dual Monarchy 'stands hy'a policy of peace without annexations, and swiftly capitulated to the Labour demands," including women’s suffrage. Seldom has any government climbed down to such an extreme. Tlie policy of the proletariat may he summed up in three words—peaee, bread and freedom—and the greatest of these is peace. No doubt the recent speeches of Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson have produced, a great effect. Austrian workers’ deputations repeatedly told' the Ministers that the proletariat regarded the utterances as outlining a basis on which a general peace should be discussed.

Dr. Scidler’s speech to the Labour leaders was remarkably conciliatory in tone. He declared that the Government continued to aim at » speedy general peace. The Entente would he blameworthy if only a separate peace with Russia was immediately scoured. He disclaimed aims of conquest. Other representatives of the Government promised- food reforms, extension of the organisation, municipal suffrage, and votes for women. The workers withdrew, and decided in favour cl the resumption of work.