THE RECKONING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 102, 23 January 1918, Page 5

THE RECKONING

AUSTRIA IN THE THROES OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION GENERAL STRIKE DECLARED BITTER AUSTRO-GER-MAN OUTBURST Berne, January 21. A general strike began in Budapest on Friday. It is estimated that 1,200,000 strikers are out—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE STRIKERS' DEMANDS A GENERAL DEMOCRATIC PEACE. Berne, January 21. The Vienna correspondent of tho 'Munich Nachrichton" states that tho strikers demand: First, that tho Brest. Litovsk negotiations shall lead to an immediate general democratic peace; second, that an immediate improvement shall be made in tho food conditions; • third, the introduction of democratic reforms; fourth, the abolition of military control of industrios._ Tho strikes ranched their height in Vienna at midday on Thursday, when 300,000 workers were idle. The police stopped processions, and riots resulted, rioting necessitating the closing of Bhops. The "Neue Freie Presse" states that Austria is tho only belligerent where all classes desire peace, and protests against the German designs in Pol-nr.d.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A MILITARY CRISIS FORCED Rome, January 21. All the military factories and workshops in Austria-Hungary are closed owing to the strikes. The Council of Ministers in Vienna recognises that it I is impossible to solve the population's food problem without lowering tho efficiency of tho Army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Ass'i. AUSTRIAN MINISTRY RESIGNS STRIKES SPREADING (Rec. January 22, 8 p.m.) Amsterdam, January 21. Tbo Austrian strikes are spreading. IW-e is demanded. Tiie Ministry has resigned.—"The Times."

FIRST CAUSE-TIIE BREAD RATION / MOVEMENT NOW A POLITICAL ONE. London, January 21. .The "Daily Telegraph" Milan correspondent states that the general strikes in Austria-Hungary originated in the reduction of the broad ration. The "Arbeiter Zeitung" denounced the reduction, and declared that the privileged classes wero tolerably provided for, whereas millions could not get bread, and the authorities did not care. The paper urged the workers in Vienna to demonstrate. The response exceeded expectations. Many' of the railway and State workers struck, and the populace joked in. AH the streets in Central Vienna were packed with ciowds demanding bread. The Town Council hastily met, and sent a message to the Government protesting against tho reduotion of the bread ration. Tho strike extended to tho munition works at Neustadt, which were entirely closed. Violent encounters between the police and the strikers occurred, but the authorities foared to employ the military. There were many encounters in Cracow, where tho Archblulioi: headed a procession to the Governors Palace.

The latest news from Vienna is tl at the demonstrations , continued during tuo week-end. _ There were huge processions of strikers, munition workers, women and children. Tho agitation then became a political one, in favour of peace. A Socialist delegation approached the Government and received an pssurance that peace negotiations were being expedited.—Aus.-N~Z. Cable Assn.

HOSTILITY TO GERMANY "DOWN WITH PRUSSIAN MILITARISM!" . Paris, January 20. Swiss telegrams from Austria show that, the : disorders are most serious. A marked feature of the demonstrations is the hostility shown to Germany. The demonstrators at Vienna and Gratz repeatedly cried, "Down with Prussian militarism," and "Long live the Russian revolution and universal peace." Precautions were adopted in Vienna to keep _ the-demonstrators away from the viciwt.y of the German Embassy.— Am.-N.Z. Cable Assu. KAISER DESPERATELY BUSY. N«w York, January 21. The Rome correspondent of the United Press quotes a report from the Papal Nuncio at Vienna that all Anst Da-Hungary is on fire with open opposition to Germany. President Wilson's Message is understood to have crested widespread demands for a derr.cciatic peace. The spreading of industrial chaos is also a strong factor. The Kaiser is desperately striving to avert a crisis.—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Assn.