GERMANY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 1682, 31 May 1919, Page 7

GERMANY.

RSINELAND hiving off. WILLING TO BECOME FRENCH. By Electric Telegrapli—Copyright. Australian and IV.Z. Cable Assn. PARIS, May 29. Received 10 45 p.m., May 30th. Berlin telegrams report indignation in Government circles.at the announcement that a Rhenish Republic has been proclaimed. The German Government; has issued a proclamation that anyone attempting to dissolve the unity of the Rhine Province with Prussia will be punishable with a life sentence. The movement in favour of a republic is supported by commercial and financial circles in the Rhine province in the hope that they may thus escape the financial ruin which is threatening .the rest of Germany. If France is willing thfiy would include the Rhenish Republic within the French _ Customs "Union. If France is unwilling to do this the Rhinelanders prefer to become French altogether. EX-KING'S INSANE ILLUSIONS. The "Daily Express" states that the aged ex-King of Bavaria lias gone mad. He has violent fits in which lie declares that Bavaria won the war, and he desirc-s to return to Munich in triUmfih Bib the head of his victorious army. BRITISH FLEET AT MEMEL. 1 ? BERLIN, May 17. . A telegram, vi?, Copenhagen states that a ,British fleet is anchored off Memel It is expected, that the British' will shortly occupy the city. FIGHTING IN STETTIN. There, has been further street fights ' iiig in Stettin. A crowd stormed the prisons and released prisoners, and plundered shops. The town is declared i to be in a state of siege.