RAPIDLY FALLING TO PIECES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 124, 12 February 1918, Page 7

RAPIDLY FALLING TO PIECES

DREADFUL PICTURE OF AUSTRIA GROWTH OF MAXIMALIST MOVEMENT \, ~,,,N ™ H February 10. Mr. William Simons, United l>ie SS correspondent in Paris, states that Austria is threatened with disruption dismemberment, and revolution Disease is rampant, and the death-rate is mounting alarmingly. The deaths from consumption alono exceed the birthrate, while a strange malady, known as 'bread disease," is claiming multitudes of victims. The rich contiuue to live well by means of bribery find by paying stupendous prices, l,ut tlie masses are suffering horribly. A wave or crime is sweeping the country, and daylight robberies are rife. Ninety per cent, of the people- aro really cpposed to the plutocratic warpath. 'Von Hindenburg's projected planned offensive on the West front is positively Germany's last card.

A Maximalist movement in Austria is rampant and growing, and Ihe .Monarchy is alarmed. Austrian Maximalist prisoners,. headed by Otto Bauer, have recently returned from Russia, and are spreading unrest and discontent among the Czechs and the Young Slavs, who are demanding immediate peace. In 1917 there were 150,000 deaths from consumption in Austria. Von Hindenburg realises that he must end tlio war soon, or Austria will fall to pieces.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRIVATIONS INJUSTRIAN RANKS 20,000 SOLDIEKS SUFFER FROM FROZEN FEET. Berne, February 10. Owing to the shortage of leather, Austrian army loots are of poor quality. Twenty thousand Austrians were withdrawn from the Italian front during January, suffering from frozen feet. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUIN AND MISERYJN GERMANY A GRAPHIC PICTURE. (Reo. February 11, 8 p.m.) New York, February 10. Mr. William Simons, of tlio United Press, in further references to Germany's desperate economic straits, says: "A high German officer offered to sell military secrets, and whoa questioned as to his motive broke down and wept, saying that he needed food for his starving mother anu father. The caterpillars have 'I«troyad the entire cabbage crops, dogs have practically disappeared, while crows are a rare delicacy. Cracow is swept by famine. Owing to tho shortage of clothing, corpses are buried in paper ehrouds and pasteboard coffins." American escapeas relate that the Germans no longer expect victory, and hope that tho Allies will bo exhausted before Germany is brought., iu her knees. Mr. Simons adls: "I learn on reliable authority that the Kaiser has declared that President Wilson'B terms are reasonable enough as a oasis for negotiations, hut he has not pressed that view against and Von Ludendorff, who aro the Kaiser's absolute masters."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MARTIAL LAWJN BERLIN SEVERE SENTENCES. (Rec. February 11, 8 p.m.) Berne, February 10. A court-martial which has been sitting daily in Berlin since the proclamation of the extreme form or martial law has tried 118 persons, all of whom have been found guilty, sentences ranging from one month to three years' imprisonment being imposed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FREE SPEECH IN GERMANY GAG PARTIALLY REMOVED. Amsterdam, February 10. The right of public meeting has been restored in Germany.—"The Times."