POLITICAL CHANGES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 19 December 1916, Page 5

POLITICAL CHANGES

CABINET OF CONFIDENCE IN RUSSIA London, December 17. lhe Observer's" I'etrograd correspondont isays: M. Petrovskv, who was appointed Koreigii Minister the day arter Herr von Bethmaun-Hollwcg's speech, is honest and hardworking Ho won rounds of applause from tto Duma advan emp atlc re ieotion-of the German Although the demand for a Cabinet enjoying the- public confidence has not yet been: granted, the opinion is ex-pressing-itself with, growing fineness ot the striking unanimity of the whole country from top to bottom, insistent on the reorganisation for victory. Hence the denunciation of "dark forces" or irresistible influences, which are regarded as the chief obstacle to the compete fusion, of tho Government with the nation. Even the reactionary association of nobles, which in 1915 denounced tho summoning oi the Duma, nas now been ousted, and its executive has overruled its previous decision, as cabled, and demanded a Cabinet of confidence, but from the standpoint of devotion to the autocracy recommended a Labinet responsible to the Tsar. It must he noted that all the resolutions ot various bodies recently cabled, and the concentration of widely divergent and formerly oppsing groups, represent a greater effort towards real victory than that leading to the formation of tho "War Cabinet in England, tins was the situation on which the German peace proposals happened to impmge.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CRISIS IN AUSTRIA. COUNT KOERBER'S DOWNFALL. Zurich, December 17. It is stated by a well-informed source that Count Koerher'-s downfall marks tho triumph of the Prussian Magyar plau.to exploit Austria, by renewing the Austro-Hungarian Customs agreement and the commercial agreement with Germany, thus securing free admission of German manufactures and Hungarian ■ farm produce to Austria. Jliere are indications that Germany is especially desirous of crushing the Czech economic organisations, which threatened to control Austria and even invade Germany. BRITISH CENERAL ELECTION. REPORTED TO BE POSSIBLE. London, December 17. "Reynolds's Newspaper',' s.'iys .that Mr. Lloyd George is devoting himself entirely to tho war with a, view to bringing tho whole of our resources to bear against the enemy, and intends to announce drastic measures,, and to ask the House of Commons for support in tho ovent of anything like a concentrated effort to oppose the proposals, lhe prospect of a general election is very much nearer than some supposed; indeed, among the inner oircles of his supporters it is stated that a general election at no distant date is qnito pos-sible.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW MINISTRIES. ESTABLISHMENT BILL. London, December 17. . A Bill has been drafted establishing the offices of the Ministers of Laheur, Food,.and Shipping, and fixes the salaries at £2000. The Ministries of Pood and Shipping are to terminate tn-elve months after the war—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. ASQUITH DEFENDED. SUPPORT FOR NEW GOVERNMENT London, December 17. Mr. Runciman, speaking at Bntley, after making a, vigorous dofenco of Mr. Asquith's administration, .said he hoped tho Liberals would give Mr. Lloyd George's Government not only formal but moral support—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • . NEW PEERACES. . MAKING ROOM FOR MINISTERS. London, December 17. Peerages have been bestowed upon the Right Hon. C. B. Stuart-Wortley (Unionist member for Hallam, Sheffield) and Mr. Austin. Their probable successors in the House of Commons will be Sir Albert Stanley (President of the - Eoard of Trade) and Mr. H. A. L. (Minister of. Education);—Reuter.