CRISIS IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 5

CRISIS IN GERMANY

PARTIES AT LOGGERHEADS

OVERTHROW OF KUHLMANN SOUGHT

A DEMOCRATIC AGITATION

AGAINST HINDENBURG AND

LUDENDORFF

(Pec. January 8, 8.20 p.m.)

Amsterdam, January 7. Tho Pan-Germans are actively seeking Dr. von Kuhlmann's overthrow. They regard him as the chief obstacle to the militarists' policy. The Krupp newspapers violently denounce him. It is an open secret that serious differences have been manifested at Brest Litovsk between Dr. von Kuhlmann and Count Czernin on the ono hand, and the German military representatives on tho other, also that Von Kuhlmann frequently appealed to Berlin for approval.

The German democrats are agitating for tho removal of Von Hindenburg and Von Ludendorff, in order to end the military influence over Germany's political policy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN STAFF TROUBLES LUDENDORFF ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM. / _ Paris, January 7. Reports from Zurich state that General von Ludendorff, German Chief of Staff, offered an ultimatum to tho German Government on the peace conditions to he imposed on Russia. After long deliberation, and the intervention of the Kaiser, Von Ludendorff withdrew his resignation, having gained his own way. - It is ' alleged that divergencies have arisen in regard to tho effort Germany intends shortly to make on the French : front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SPLIT OVER PJmIeGOTIATIONS VIOLENT ATTACLpON THE FOREIGN MINISTER. (Rec. January 8, 7.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, January ,7. That there is a split between 1 the Pan-German annexationists and the mors, moderate elements in Germany over tho Brest Litovsk negotiations is evident by a violent attack made on Dr. von Kuhlmann, Foreign Minister, by tho "Rhoinischo Westfaelische Zeitung," to whoso conduct of the negotiations it attributes General, von Ludendorff 's threat to resign. The journal <loubts whether the Army command can any longer co-operate with Von Kuhlmann. It declares: "Renunciation in the East is Von Ktihlmnnn's watchword, and renunciation in the West will follow. Germans must now chooso between Marshal von Hindenburg and General von Ludendorff or Dr. von Kuhlmann and Count von Hertling."—Reuter.

SERIOUS STRUGGLE BETWEEN PANGERMANS AND MODERATES (Roc. January 9, 0.50 a.m.) London, January 8. Ihe "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent confirms the seriousness of tho strugglo between the Pan-Ger-mans and the Social Democrats and other moderate parties. The Pan-Ger-mans throaton tho gravest consequents if Von Kulilmann is permitted to retain office. His attitude at Brest Litovsk is regarded as a menace to the annexationists' policy. The Majority block in the Reichstag has been broken up. Tho parties constituting the majority refuse to adhoro to tho resolution of July 19, that peace should bo without annexations and indemnities. The decision of tho Russian delegates to resume tho negotiations somewhat calnieJ tho moderates' anxiety. The Majority Socialists sont an ultimatum to tho Government forthwith.

The Minority Socialists havo sent a message to the Bolshoviki inviting the latter to reject the pourparlers. The Pan-Germans blame the Socialists for the Russian rejection of the annexation programme, the Socialists having informed the Bolsheviki that a separate peace would bo detrimental to the revolutionary movement which was developing ' in .Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[The peace formula of the Majority of the Reichstag, which was adopted, is as follows:—(1) Germany is fighting for freedom, independence, and the maintenance of her territory. (2) The Reichstag desires a lasting peace secured on tho good understanding of all people. The forced acquisition of territory, political, economic, and financial disabilities fro inconsistent with such a peace. (3) The Reichstag pretests against nil- plans for economic blockades, and demands freedom of the seas after the war. It advocates the establishment of an International Court. (4) Whilst enemy Governments do not accept such a peace the German people unanimously agree to continue the figlit.]