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CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

BRITISH OFFICERS' REPORT » GREAT NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED THE FOOD SHORTAGE By Telegraph—Press Assoriation-Oonvrieht (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. The Supreme Council of Supply and Relief has published an interesting report compiled from the observations of a number of British officers who have been investigating conditions in Germany. They visited Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, and Cassel. The labour unrest is diminishing owing to the firm attitude of Herr Noske, Defence Minister, whose position has been much strengthened against the Spartacists recently. Unemployment in Berlin is increasing by five thousand daily. The .total number of unemployed there is 200,000, the number at Hamburg is 72,000, at Munich 32,000, and at Leipzig 22,000. The unemployment is due to the demobilisation of the Army and the munition workers, and the inability of peace industries to start owing to lack of raw material. The unemployment is a most dangerous element in the present situation. The disappearance of the unemployment and hunger would dispose of any chance of Bolshevism obtaining any foothold in Germany. Throughout Germany, except in the coalfields, industries are stagnant, and are completely shutting down owing to lack of coal, while over a million tons of conl at Westphalia is waiting at the pit mouth for transport facilities. Throughout Germany railway transport is crippled owing to the enormous quantities of rolling stock lost since November, 1918, while passenger traffic is reduced by 21 per cent, below normal. The shortage of staple foodstuffs is compelling the population to live on rations insufficient to nourish the body. Mothers of children are particularly affected. Malnutrition has increased mortality, diminished the birthrate, and I caused new diseases. It is believed that foodstuffs will be exhausted as follow :- Breadstuff's in April, 1919; potatoes in May, 1919; fats, on March 31. ,The meat ration can be continued indefinitely if all milch cows and breeding stock are slaughtered. In certain areas it is-estim-ated that exhaustion will occur earlier. Moreover, given normal weather, the coming harvest is expected to yield only half the average pre-war crop. Tho visiting officers express the opinion that the need for revictualling Germany is urgent. The country is living on its capital as regards food supplies. Either, famine or Bolshevism, or both, will en6ue! before the next harvest if outside help' is not forthcoming. There will be no immediate revival of Germany's military power. Thirty thousand tons of bacon and 5000 tons of condensed milk hare been sold to Germany ,to date by tho British Government—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

AN ULTIMATUM TO_THE CABINET FROM THE WORKERS' COUNCIL AT . ESSEN. (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Now York, February 10. The United Press correspondent at Weimar-reports that the Workers' Council has sent an ultimatum to tho German Cabinet that unless industries can be immediately socialised and tho minimum wage made higher than tho presont maximum, and all Workers' Councils recognised at once, the Government would be overthrown—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HERR EISNERMRDERED London, February 21. Herr .Signer lias been murdered. Ho was ehot'V Lieutenant Count Valley with a revolver. The Guards shot the Count, who is dying.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. fHerr Eisner was the Socialist who led the'revolution in Bavaria, and became President. At the electipus be was heavily defeated.] civil waTat"miicii HERR AUER KILLED AND OTHSR MINISTERS WOUNDED. (Rec, February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, February 19. _ Herr Scheidemann, iu a speech at Weimar, declared that Munich was the scene of a bloodv civil war. llerr Auer, Bavarian Minister of the Interior, was murdered, as well as Herr Eisner, and three other Ministers were wounded. The Spartacists arrested Herr. Rosshaupter (Minister of War), who was wounded, but not killed.

Another report says that Herr Auer was wounded and not killed.' Deputy Osel was killed.—Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SHOOTING IN THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, February 21. During the sitting of the Diet at Munich, v.hilc Kerr Auer, Minister of Home Affairs, was denouncing the assassination of Herr Eisner, several shots were fired from the public gallery. The deputies took panic. Herr Auer collapsed, having been hit bv a bullet in the left sido. Another bullet killed Deputy Osel, of the Bavarian Popular Party. ■ Two officials were seriously wounded.—Reuter. VIOLENT FIGHTING IN THE STREETS. (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, February 22. Following a general strike at Munich, the outbreak ot civil war -was signalised by the ringing of church bells. A procession of ten thousand workmen marched through the city. Violent firing began, and shops were plundered. Hundreds of citizens fled; but the Spartacists occupied the termimfe and prevented further departures. The Spartacists, whose adherents include 'well-known anarchists,/rushed through the strets in armed motorcars, and arrested Herr Rosshaupter (Minister of War), who stated that he had been wounded in the Diet affray.— Reuter. | MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED. ; (Rec. February 24, 1.35 a.m.) Copenhagen, February 22. Martial law has been proclaimed in Munich. A'commiltee of action has been formed, including the representatives of the Communists' Soviet. There were serious disturbances at Augsburg on Friday. Cavalry and sailors repeatedly cleared the streets, pouring volleys into the trowd.—Reuter. PROCLAIMED A .SOVIET REPUBLIC. (Reo. February 24, 1.35 a.m.) Copenhagen, February 22. The "Vossische Zeituug" says that Bavaria was Inst jiight prookimed a Soviet Ropublio by the revolutionary Munich Soviet, .which is all-powerful.— Reuter. ANGRY SCENES"ATTBE ASSEMBLY DURING THE ARMISTICE DEBATE. (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, February 19. There were angry scenes at the Weimar Assembly during the debate on the armistice terms. Some of the delegates denounced Herr Erzberger for his failure to extort more favourable conditions, and declared it a graveyard armistice. Herr Erzberger, replying, reminded the critics that Germany had lost the war, and added: "You should have addressed yourselv<te tyfllarshal Foch."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOCH, "MASTErTfGERMANY" CRISIS CREATED BY ARMISTICE RENEWAL. (Rec. February 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 20. Mr. Charles Towers (correspondent k "The' Times") states that the renewal of the armistice -was signed after a critical Cabinet orisis, the leaders declaring, that

the terms made Marshal Foch the master of Germany. Members were solid for. a refusal, fearing to meet the Assembly if they consented. Moreover, they thought that Germany ought to-be better, off it she simply threw hi her hand arid challenged the Allies to occupy Germany and take the consequences rather than struggle against" internal outbreaks! Noon editions of the papers, announcing the refusal, sent Berlin half crazy with excitement, but a. later meeting of the party leaders put a different complexion on the matter, and compelled the Cabinet _ to telegraph to Herr Erzberger instructing him lo sign. Herr Eantzau (Foreign Minister) thereupon resigned, but subsequently withdrew his resignation. Great dejection prevails. Herren Scheideinann, Ebert, and Eantzau take the gravest view of the situation. . Widespread disturbances are anticipated—"The Times."

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19190224.2.41

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 128, 24 February 1919, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,123

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 128, 24 February 1919, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 128, 24 February 1919, Page 5

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