THE CONSCRIPTION OF GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2946, 5 December 1916, Page 5

THE CONSCRIPTION OF GERMANY

SOCIALIST OPPOSITION, DEPORTATIONS HEATEDLY DENOUNCED Amsterdam, December 3. In the_ Reichstag the discussion on the Civilian Compulsion Bill -was heated. The Socialists denounced' the enslavement of women by the deportation of Belgians. Herr Haase and Herr Dittman summoned the Government to restore the freedom of workmen,, especially the Belgians, whose deportation was contrary to the Hague Convention. Dr. Helfferich (Minister for the Interior) deplored the discussion, which, he said, would have a bad effect on the troops at the front. He asserted that the forcing of the Belgians to work was in accordance with' international law. It was intolerable that an idle and turbulent population should! remain in the war zone.—Reuter. BILL READ A'THIRD TIME. Amsterdam, December 3. The Reichstag, by 253 votes to, 19, read a third tiroo the Compulsory Civilian Service Bill.—Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. KAISER REJOICES BY TELEGRAM, (lice. December 4, 5.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 3. . The Kaiser has telegraphed Herr von Bethmaim Hollweg his great delight at the adoption of the Civilian Service Bill. "My people," he says, "are filled ■with such uniform determination that tbey i -will mal<o every sacrifice in blood, treasure, and labour for the victorious defence of their Fatherland. Wp must maintain against everyone our place amongst the civilised nations which was gained by our intelligence, industry, and moral strength, and we cannot be conquered."—Reutor. THE SLAVE RAIDS PROTESTS IN AMERICA Washington, Deeomber 3. A great mass.meeting is being arranged to protest against the Belgian deportations. Clergymen and university presidents are also sending a. memorial to Germany. The Administration is also preparing further vigorous representations. It possesses evidence absolutely refuting the German plea that the deportations are designed to givo employment to idle Belgians. It has ascertained that many profitably employed workmen were forced to go to Gcrmnny to do military work.—Reuter. NEUTRALS' RELIEF COMMISSION AFFECTED GUARANTEES TOR-N UP. (TCcc. December 4, 8.10 p.m.) London, December 3. The British, French, Russian, and Italian Governments have issued a declaration stating that by deliberately dealing unemployment in Belgium as an excuse for the deportations, and recommending the wholesale removal of foodstuffs from Belgium, audi other similar measures taken contrary to their pledges in order to relieve their own desperate situation, tho Germans are tearing up every guarantee upon which the work of tho Neutral Relief Commission is based. The Government therefore appeals to the civilised world on behalf of Ihe innocent and helpless civilians to see that this great work of international benevolence is not destroyed by such treachery aiid violence —Australian-New Zealand Cable Association.