CENTRAL POWERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16283, 10 July 1917, Page 7

CENTRAL POWERS

WAR AIMS. CAUSE CRISIS IN: REICHSTAG. (Australian and'N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received 6.45 p m., July 9th. July 8. An acute crisis exist sin Germany. The-.Reichstag Committee, in secret sessions, heatedly debated the ' war aims all day on Saturday, antiannexationists and pan-Germans demanding the Government's adherence to different policies. Subsequently the Kaiser gave audience to the Chancellor, Von Hollweg, Marshal Hinden-hm-p, -Admiral Cf 1 "file. General Von Stein, and Herr HelfFerich. UNEASINESS IN THE COUNTRY. REFLECTED IN THE REICHSTAG. Received 9.15 p.m., July 9th. Germany's political crisis is primarily attributed .to the alairm caused in Berlin by the Russian offensive.. Suppressed excitement that had been observable in the lobbies of the Reichstag for several days came to a heat, on Saturday. The secret session began at nine in the morning. > Herr Erzberger, of the Centre party; declared that the military situation was causing general uneasiness all over the coun try ■ all classes were demanding that the Government should tell the truth about military and submarine prospects. General Von Stein and Admiral Von Capelle replied optim'stically, the latter declaring "theft the siibmnrinings would paralyse Britain. Herr Schedmann (Soealist) demanded that the Government should make a declaration that it would accept peace without annexation. Herr Wesarp demanded an equally clear insistence on annexations. Von Hollweg replied, and the committee adjourned till Monday. The parties later privately discussed the situation till late at night, and some of them resumed the discussion on Sunday. The Kaiser's audience with Ministers was a prolonged one. Renter's Telegrams. Received, 1.10 a.m.. July lotli AMSTERDAM," July 9. Dr von Hollweg declared that he rejected the idea of tying himself to the formula of peace without annexations and indemnities. FOOD RIOTS IN COLOGNE. THE HAGUE, July 8. Rioting occurred in Cologne, following tho reduction of the meat ration. Police and troops charged the crowd, and many were wounded.