AUSTRIAN WORKERS STAND FIRM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 103, 24 January 1918, Page 5

AUSTRIAN WORKERS STAND FIRM

FOR "PEACE, BREAD, AND FREEDOM" LEADERS' RECOMMENDATIONS DISREGARDED Br Telecraph-Press Aseociation-CopvriKht Amsterdam, January 22. In consequence of the Governmonl's. promise to speed up an honoiiraolft general peaco, to improve tho food conditions, and to democratise the suffrage, the Austrian strike leaders recommended tho immediate resumption of work. The workers, however, disregard the advice of the leaders, and the strikes are extending.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, January 22. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" Amsterdam correspondent states that tho Austrian strikers behaved in an exempiaryfashion. They avoided disorder, mid continued absolutely necessary work. Tho traffic observed perfect discipline The united front of the workers showed that the Government is laced with a serious situation. The Government's hasty climb-down has demonstrated to the workers tho strong position of their determination to bring matters to a a Count Czernin has realised that it is advisable to emphasise in the most direct terms that the Government of the Dual Monarchy stands by the policy of peace without annexations, and swiftly capitulated to tho Labour demands, including that for women's suffrage. Seldom has any Government climbed down to such an extent. The policy of the proletariat may bo summed up m throe words: Peace, Bread, Freedom; and the greatest of these is peace. ISo doubt the recent speeches of Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson had a great effect in Austria. Workers' deputations have repeatedly told that the proletariat regarded these utterances as laying out a basis upon which general peace should ha discussed. _ A speech by Dr. von Seidlor, the Austrian Premier, to the Labour leaders was remarkably conciliatory In tone. He declared that the Government would continue to'aim at a speedy general peace. The Entente was to omme if only a separate peace with Russia was immediately secured. Ho disclaimed any aims of conquest. Other representatives of the Government protested against food reforms, the extension rnd organisation of municipal suftrago, and votes for women. The workers withdrew and decided to favour Clio iesumption of work. -~,.,.. .•. „,.,„_ The latest reports from Vienna describe the situation as one or inc easing seriousness. They indicate that the workers are disregarding their leaders' advice. If the report of von Scidlor's resignation is confirmed, ltis evident that the Government's assurance will not have cleared the situation. _ The Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily News" states that Austria,Hun"iiry is fast hurrying to a crisis. Largo masses of the population, are in a state of incipient revolt against Germanic domination. They believe that the dictation of the German annox-itionists at Brest Litovsk is defeating the chances of peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRIKE SPREADING I TEN PER CENT. OF THE PEOPLE OUT. (Rec. January 23, 9 p.m.) Amsterdam, January.22. Despite the severest censorship it is evident that the strike is spreading, particularly to all the industries. lower Austria is now affected._ The figures regarding the number of strikers have been excised, though occasional censorship oversights suggest that ten per cent, of the people aro now on stnkc, including those in the most essential war industries. Eight thousand Stiike leaders have met at Vienna to formulate plans. • ~ There have been violent collisions between strikers and the police, especiallv at Ringplatz and Opernplatz, end there is much looting of food stores and many arrests. Anti-German bitterness is growing. (Rec. January 23, 9 p.m.) ■;■ x Berne, January 22. Earlier optimistic reports from Austria state that the strike is bslieved to be due to Austrc-Swiss propaganda. The "Neueste Nachten" says that the movement has spread to other large towns. The situation at Budapest is serious. Industry is almost at a standstill, the shops are closed, and the tramways have stopped. Collisions between the police and the crowds at Vienna and Cracow continue.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CABINET CRISIS HUNGARIAN MINISTRY ALSO RESIGNING. Amsterdam, January 22. Count von Toggenburg is forming an Austrian Cabinet. ' Count Wekerle, the Hungarian Premier, has gone to Vienna to olter tno Hungarian Cabinet's resignation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SHOPS BARRICADED IN VIM NA. London, January 22. Many shops in Vienna have been barricaded in the event of pillage. The workers assembled in thousands in the main streets and formed masses_ across the tramlines, stopping the traffio. The authorities nro urgently calling for increased supplies of food from Hungary, and hope that supplies will alto arrive from the Ukraine, if the waterways aro froo. Meanwhile Germany has been asked to send meal, but apparently is unable io do so.—"The Times." BERLIN PRESS ALMOST COMPLETELY SILENT "VORWAERTS" REGARDS CRISIS AS EXTREMELY GRAVE. Amsterdam, January 22. Tile Berlin paporsj e.xcopt thy "Vonvaerts,"' maintain complete silence concerning the crisis in Austria-Hungary. Tho "Vorwaerts" regards tho situation with extreme gravity, and expresses tho opinion that Austria is turning against the veiled annexations of the German policy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

REVOLUTIONARY FEELING IN BAVARIA "PRUSSIA HAS BEEN OUR CURSE SINCE 1871." Berne, January 22. The revolutionary feeling is exteuding in Bavaria. A prominent Socialist; interviewed, stated that the common people in Bavaria want, above all, peace; yet a premature peace would be a. catastrophe, because it would_ leave the Junkers and their dupes unbroken and unconverted. The Bavarians do not caro a brass farthing about Alsace, nor about the swolleu-lieaded plans for annoxation, and say that "Prussia has been our curse since 1871.' —"The Times."