IN FRANCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16256, 5 July 1918, Page 8

IN FRANCE.

TRIAL OF EX-MINISTERS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable. Association.) PARJS, July 2. M. has been interrogated for •the fiitieth time. It is not expected ho will -be tried before the middle of August, as the trial of M. Alalvy begins on July 16th, and will last at least a month. FR ANCE ANI> THE CZECHO-SLAVS. (Reuter's Telegrams.) . PARIS, July 2. M. Pichon (Minister •of Foreign Affairs) has written to the secretary of the National Czechs' Council, stating that, "faitliful to the principles of respect for nationalities and the liberation of oppressed peoples, the French Government considers the claims of the Czecho-Slav nations well founded, and will apply itself when the time oomes to uphold, their aspirations for independence in the historic limits of their provinces, which will be liberated at length f'om the yoke of the AustroHungarian oppressor.'' LONDON, July 2. 31. Pichon has written to Mr A. J. Balfour in terms similar to those in his letter written to the Segretary of the National Czech Council. Mr Balfour replied fully associating the British Government with the sentiments of the French Government regarding the Czecho-Slavs.

ABOUT THE ENEMY. GERMANY CONCERNED ABOUT . AUSTRIA. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, July 1. The "Daily Telegraph's'' Milan correspondent states that von Ludendorff's visit to Vienna indicates that Germany is concerned abtiut events in Austria. Von Ludendorff, after a long conference with the Emperor Karl, and accompanied by _ General von Arz, visited the entire Italian front. . Another Council of War followed, at which von Ludendorff urged the necessity for reconquering some of the lost positions. The attacks did not result in improving the situation. The palitical outlook is growing worse. The report that the Emperor • K i ComrrLan ded the Seidler Cabinet to withdraw their resignations and reappointed them bodily is confirmed. 4.1 x I S p ? r , or ' l n a rescript, states that "the Keichsrath must be convoked on July 16th, whether von Seidler has a mnjoritv or not. Von Seidler declares that he does not want t° govern by Article XIV. of the. Constitution—which means a militavy dictatoi ship—but will use it to prevent I arliament hnmpering affairs of State. (United Servioa.) (Received Julv 4th, 4 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 3. { 'Vossische says: "No German politician doubts the restoration of the Pacific colonies, but' should Germany ultimately permit negotiations for their sale or exchange she would ignore England and negotiate, with Japan, recognising the Pacific as Japan's natural sphere. The insolent refusal of the English Imperialists to allow the Allies to deal with the enemy with reference to the oolonies shows that they are opposed to Japanese interests.