WAR WEARINESS IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 3, 28 September 1918, Page 7

WAR WEARINESS IN GERMANY

DEMORALISATION AMONG THE

TROOPS -,

MEN ON LEAVE CREATE ";; BAD IMPRESSION. •

ORDER BY VON LUDENDORFF

(Rec.. September .'27,. 7.40 p.m.)

London, September 26.

A United Press correspondent. • reports that voii-Ludendorffj iiyn. signed 'order."-.'speaks ..of. the ' increased complaints from .Germany,: that ."men on leave are creating an unfavourable impression by; statements-bordering, on high treason arid .inciting' disobedience. Sonie of this is duo to the natural irritation of soldiers who see things superficially, while war weariness and despondency -are• unfortunately so widespread at home." •; •--•-.

■Von Ludendorff ■says ■ "that officers should carefully explain ■ ..to soldiers that while travelling they see the sur face only. The. honest toil and severe struggle • are not apparent.. It seemed, however, that some people... were consciously adopting an attitude hostile to the State,'and he directs 'the homo authorities to immediately retuii all such to the front. ■" ' :

A' report" from Amsterdam ' states that owing to the widely-circulated imports of demoralisationamong the" Bavarian troops; ■ the-, -.Kaiser has telegraphed to. •the-; King of- -Bavaria- eulogising the condition of- the -Bavarians, wjionv he visited on the Western 'front.

Three Gorman, officers .and 102 men deserted ;west.'.of St, ' Queivtin Chat night, and slipped across .to the British line's—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn,- /-.'.'

,' SOCIAL UPHEAVAL POSSIBLE

IRRITATION AGAINST DYNASTY AND STAFF INCREASING. ■ (Rcc. September .27, 7.40 p.ni 1 ) ■ 'Berne, September 26. Travellers declare that war weariness in Germany is very noticeable, ■ and a social upheaval is 'well •within l the bounds-of possibility. Popular irritation against the.Dynasty and the General Staff is increasing daily. Further military reverses may precipitate a revolution. Recent strikes at Essen and violent demonstrations'.at Kiel and other ports against the departure of submarines are typical symptoms of trouble.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GERMAN, PRESS ALARMED

AT SITUATION IN PALESTINE AND MACEDONIA."

(Rec. September 27, 7.40 p.m.)

London; September 26. The German censorship is permitting the Press to freely discuss the gravity of the situation in Palestine -and Macedonia. The newspapers express great alarm at' the sensational turn affairs have taken. .

The "Frankfurter' Zeitung" consoles its readers with the assurance that the Siegfried line ought to prevent'any such break thrdugh'on the West'front, adding the somewhat significant qualification: "If the trenches are occupied and the batteries manned, aiiU the men are convinced of the necessity o!f holding out.','—Reuter. • •

LADS OF SEVENTEEN SENT TO FRONT (Rec. September"27, 7.40' p.m.) ;•, The Haßue.'Septemher 2s. Germany is rapidly dispatching lads of seventeen to the front.' A Dutch authority just returned from Germany says that food' difficulties are great, hut not yot so great as to lead to a catastrophe. The peoplo are- tough, or they are ignorant and arrogant,' arid possess a latent force enabling them to avert for a considerable.time'the inevitable defeat.—"The Times.''. THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH . INTENDED FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION. . (Rcc. September 27, 8.30 p.m.)-" London, September 26- : The "New York Times" Washington correspondent, states that the confession of the seriousness of-tho-internal situation in Germany was tho- only part of Count von -HertlingV. 'speech which interested, the United States officials. The' speech was ''considered-, to be meant for domestic consumption.— 'Aus.-N.Z. CablelAssu. .. ....