WITH THE ENEMY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 7

WITH THE ENEMY.

AUSTRIA WAR-WEARY

MAY BREAK AWAY FROM

GERMANY

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) COPENHAGEN, February 18. Various telegrams indicate that the resumption of a state of war between the Central Powers and Russia has produced an Austro-German cleavage. Austrian nowspapors warn Germany against the re-opening of hostilities, in which Austria does not desire to participate. The "Neue Freie Pressc" points out that Austria no longer borders on Russia; therefore sho is not compelled to resume hostilities, though might undertake to protect communications with the Ukraine. _ The journal "Die Zeit" says:— "So far as Austria is concerned, the war is practically finished. On the other hand, America has scarcely begun. Thinking people now look to Count Czernin and President Wilson, and Germany must not interrupt their negotiations." LONDON, February 18. Austrian newspapers threaten that Austria will refuse to renew the war with Russia. AUSTRIAN REPLY TO PRESIDENT WILSON. LONDON, February 18. The Milan correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says:— "Count Czernin will shortly reply to President Wilson, and will adopt a friendly ton 6 of discussion." GERMAN LOSSES DURING WAR. NEW YORK, February 18. The Paris correspondent of the "New York World" says that exhaustive enquiries show that the German losses auring tho war total 4,225,000, including 2,500,000 dead. The present German effectives are estimated at 4,800,000. GERMAN INTRIGUE. ANOTHER SENSATIONAL EXPOSURE. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) Admiralty per Wireless Press. (Received February 19th, 7.55 p.m.) BERNE, February 18. A copy of a confidental circular issued by the German General Staff on November 2nd, 1914, has reached Switzerland. It is signed by Herr Fischer, and addressed to military representatives on the Russian and French fronts, and iu Italy and Norway. It announces that special accounts for war needs havo been opened with all branches of German banks in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, China, and the United States.

"We authorise you," it states, "to usfl these accounts to an unlimited extent to destroy factories and military stores, and the most important centres of food supplies belonging to our enemies; to stir up strikes and destroy ships carrying war materials from enemy countries; to burn warehouses, raw material, and manufactures, and to destroy tho electrical plant in factories.

"Special agents will bring you a list of persons who are willing to undertako destruction and sabotage."