GERMANY WITHIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1918, Page 3

GERMANY WITHIN.

THE FLIGHT OF GERMANY

A REMARKABLE REPORT

(PKlt PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.'; j (Received This Day at. 9.50. a.m.) j BERLIN, September 15. j The “Tageblatt” reports remarkable proceedings of a Trade Union deputation to Count Hertling on .September 12. | The spokesman said the people had become seriously discouraged by the ; recent events and felt that they were economically sinking. The food continu- ! ed bad and was dangerously insufficient. J The prices were extortionate. Consci quently the bodily strength of the workI ors was declining, and they must have more meat and potatoes. Workmen’s trousers, which used to cost four marks, now cost sixty, and lasts only a quarter of the fimo and were not- mcndable. The people’s anger over the Prussian suffrage question had reached boiling point. The military censorship and the martial law lay heavy on the Trade Unions. He urged that now that the exhaustion of our enemy’s had begun, and the break through had failed, was a time for peace bv understanding. I Count Hertling assured them that the political leaders and the High Com- : mand were striving for such a peace, j and were unanimously opposed to con- j quests. As regards the suffrage, ho re- j peated the promise that if the Up- j per Landtag House failed to agroc j thereto the Landtag would be dissolved, j Mallruf, -Secretary of the Interior, j promised the military would reconsider the right of meeting and the'censorship, j Wal’don, Secretary of Food Supplies j said it was impossible to get more food, j The meatless clays must continue in or- j dor to ensure the milk and fat supply, j The potato crop was worse than the past j year and corn was only fifteen per cent j hotter. I Baron von Stein, Secretary of State ! stated that substitutes for clothing must j be utilized. j

Colonel (Braun of the War Office promised to examine the question o) shortening the working hours, but fins was impossible Tn the mines. A Socialist Deputy of the l Legion replying, said the Ministers’ statement in regard to food and hours showed the situation to be hopeless. The workers could not work at the present hours. HERTLING’s CAMOUFLAGE. (Received TM, "t H 25. a.m.) LONDON, September 15. Count Hertling told the Trade Union leaders that the war would not last •i moment longer than was absolutely necessary for the’German defence. We confidently hope that wo are nearer peace than is generally believed. A PEACE DOVE. (Received This Dav nt 11,2.>. n.m.) LONDON, September 15. Erzeberger told an interviewer that it is possible the longed-for-peace would come in a short time. GERMAN PRESS ANNOYED. Router’s Telegrams. ( iJcf,'l’i-ie n-iv at II 25. a.m ) AMSTERDAM, September 15. Tbe “Cologne Gazette” publishes an indignant article on the exposure of German West African atrocities, and gaya ; __“Hyprocritical Albion thereby attempts to control her predatory instincts behind a moral figleaf.” The paper reiterates that the return of the German colonies constitutes a fixed aim of the German people.

A FALLING IDOL (U< ivivoi! Thi\. iV <v at 11.25. a.m.) ROME, September 15. The famous Hindenburg statue at Berlin has been surrounded by a barricade owing to unknown persons, nightjy defacing it with insulting inscriptions. A DEMAND for PEACE. i 1 to-.,I I’l'is TViv at 11.25. a.m.) 'AMSTERDAM, September 15. The Independent Socialists have, introduced a motion in the Berlin City Council .requesting a meeting for peace discussions owing to the daily increasing distress. The reductions of th e entire standard of living is increasing criminality and is increasing the death-

rate. THE DIVINE KAISER. j (Received This Day at 11.25. a.m.. AMSTERDAM, September 10. The German papers publish long comments on the Kaiser’s Essen speech. ; Some congratulated him on taking the leadership, and assert it has much affected the people. The newspapers are full of articles breathing loyalty. Tt is admitted-he has done much to enhance his personal prestige in the eyes of all Germans. The Socialist papers emphasise. e | Kaiser’s remark that “this is not the time for party difference,” and say this ought to he a lesson to the Prussian junkers not to resist Prussia’s legitimate claim to the general franchise. , AN UNENVIABLE PEDESTAL. WHERE THE KATSER STANDS. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 14. The Evening Post says the Kaiser’s seec'.’h contrasts, with the earlier boastful utterance's of the Kaiser ,who has become the world’s most hated figure, and the symbol of everything loathsome. He has talent inspiring disgust. ITis reference to religion are repulsive. The hypoeriey of the speech shows the German peoples 1 morale, is breaking.