DANGEROUS CRISIS AUSTRIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 237, 25 June 1918, Page 5

DANGEROUS CRISIS AUSTRIA

STARVATION AND DISCONTENT SMOULDERING REVOLT STRONG FEELING AGAINST GERMANY ' London, June 23. The Exchange Telegraph Agency reports grave news from Hungary. A strike which is imminent among Government officials is connected with the movement by Karolyi's party for electoral reform, and against the Government's food policy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THOUSANDS OF STRIKERS IN BUDAPEST. Copenhagen, June 23. There are thousauds of strikers in Budapest, and there have been bloody riots. 1 Ih) military and police fired on the ' crowds. Many postal and telegraph officials have joined the strikers—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THREAT TO THE STRIKERS ' DISCUSSION IN HUNGARIAN LOWER HOUSE. Amsterdam, Juno 23. , The grain which was sent to Austria is for tho Army, not for civilians. The ' ■ Arjbeiter Zeitung," Vienna, supports the Socialist Party's veto of a general strike, snd contends that a partial strike will oiten suffico to attain the objects of all classes. If a partial strike doe 3 not succeed other measures will follow. Tho Lower House at Budapest discussed the railwaymen's striko riot 3 in which four wero killed and sixteen injured. Count Weiterlo said that strikes were numerous,- affecting many factories. If the strikers resumed their claims would be granted. The Minister of Commerco said that the various factories wero under military c ? n { ro ': . '-h 0 l ,os ' a l and telegraph clerks joined tho strikers ho would deal drastically with them.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRIAN PREMIER RESIGNS. Zurich, June 23. Dr. Seidler has again resigned. He is attempting to re-form tho Ministi'.y.— Aus.-N.Z. ,Cablo Assn.

(Kec. June 24, 7.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, July 23. Advices from Vienna state that owing to the unfriendly attitude of the Polish members of Cabinet Br. Seidler is likely to insist upon tho acceptance of his resignation. The Poles demand, and tho Government refuses, the • partition of Galic-a. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . (Rec. Juno 21, 10.20 p.m.) London, Juno 21. Iho entire Austrian Cabinet has resigned.—Router. A PICTURE OF MISERY AND WANT EMPIRE ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE (Rec. June 21, 10.20 p.m.) „ New York, June' 23. Ine Now York "World's" Geneva cor-', respondent has interviewed a Frenchman, Al. Girandin, who has just arrived from Switzerland, after nine years' residenco in' Vienna. ?J. Girandin said: "The peoplo admit that tho results of tho campaign in Italy aro below expectations. Officials aro gloomy and anxious. They believe' that if'the offensive fails the Empire will collapso. ,T'ho Vienna authorities have taken all precautions to deal with a possible revolt. Tho streets are patrolled by soldiers, and peoplo everywhere expect an early upheaval. Austria is confronted with famine, and the misery of the peoplo is heartrending. 1 otatoes aro exhausted, and tho bread is made of chestnuts and straw. Milk supplies aro available only to babies and hospitals. It is significant that tho food speculators are allowing their stocks to bo sold, realising that the end is near. Order, and authority aro rapidly disappearing, the pangs of hunger disclosing primitivo traits of character. Processions of women in tho streets demanding Oread or peace resemble processions of gaunt and haggard spectres. Tho sufferings of tho children and their constant cries, duo to hunger, arouse tho fury of the mothers. They aro like a crowd of savages. When tho butchers asked twenty-five shillings for a pound of pork the crowds raided tho shops. There have been numerous deaths as tlio result of eating war sausage, niado of bones. The cry for peace is heard on alt sides, and hatred of Germany is almost universal."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , A FOOD COMPROMISE WITH GERMANY. Amsterdam, Juuo 23/ The "Kreuz Zeitung" states that Germany will releaso Hungary from the contract to supply potatoes, which will be diverted to Austria. General Ludendorft has telegraphed, placing tho entire grain supp'v from Rumania, Bessarabia, ami tho Ukraine at Austria's disposal, while Hungary has promised to send food supplies to Austria.-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. SOCIALIST VICTIMISATiON IN GERMANY

STRONG CRITICISM IN PRUSSIAN LOWER HOUSE. Amsterdam, Juno 23. In the Prussian Lower Houso Herr Hoffman (Independent Socialist) stated that hundreds of Independent Socialists lvere being sent to the trenches as punishment for their political activity, while those who were not serviceable were sent to prisou, where manv perished from hunger. He declared that half a million men wero killed in Germany's .new offensive.—Aus.N.ss. Cable Assn.

NEW KAISER HYMN PALLS FLAT.

Amsterdam, Juno 23. All efforts to provido a new hymn, or National Anthem, have failed. Poets and musicians forwarded 3200 contributions in the competition. All were declined and the competitors ivero asked to try again'.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn.