GERMANY WITHIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1918, Page 3

GERMANY WITHIN.

LVER PRESS ASSOCIAVION. —COPYRIGHT.)

A TRANSFORMATION PROBABLY LONDON, October 17.

A remarkable and dramatic transformation in the internal situation ot Germany is reported to-day by the political correspondent of the London “Daily News.” He says: “The secrecy which has surrounded the situation in Germany, and the tense pause which kept London awaiting far into evening yesterday, will have dramatic explanations.”

The correspondent states: “I have learned from authoritative quarters that nows has reached some members of the British Government from neutral sources that the German people are iu a convulsed state,” ‘‘The Country,” he states, “is on the eve of an era of Bolshevism. The middle classes fear that this will prove a disaster more dire than would further and continuous defeats on the battlefront, and that *it might last for years.” l “The middle class, in view of these probabilities are now therefore urging the Kaiser to abdicate.” “The shortage in Germany of ammunition, guns, and raw materials together with the demoralisation of the armies, which is increased "by the peaco . overtures, and also internal turmoil and the fact that her Allies are deserting Germany edntribute to this potential reign of terror.” ‘The awful German casualties since Mardh have ejauaed widespread depression. The poor soldiers are mutinying on the parts of the Trout where a rot has set in. Elsewhere the soldiers are fighting on bravely.

‘‘There is good authority for stating,” says the correspondent, “that German Socialists are organised for, any and every emergency. A Socialist Government is roady to seize the reins of power if the Kaiser s regime is overthrown.” Although the abdication rumours arc unconfirmed, tho correspondent says he knows, from an unimpeachable soureo, that the Kaiser has for sometime past been removing many of 1: - valuables to a house in Holland.

Neutrals, ho adds, are now clearing out of Germany as hastily as possible. The “Daily News” Stockholm correspondent says: The Russian Soviet Government expects that Germany shortly will become Bolshevik and it is hoped that she will link herself with Russia to fight the Entente.

CRUMBLING GERMANY. PARIS, October 17. “Le Matin” states that all travellers from Germany corroborate the rapid crumbling of the morale of Germany, owing to the certainty of defeat and the fear Of invasion. Groups of soldiers traverse the Berlin streets, singpacifist hymns and revolutionary couplets. The officers are seeking hiding places. Some pan-Germans tried to demonstrate at Hindonburg’s statue, but were dispersed by a hooting mob. The populace 'toro'-tho base from the statue and destroyed a crown which the n Germans had placed there. Police intervention prevented the burning of t 5 --> Idol.

HOW RIOTS STARTED. • • (United Service. Telegrams.) HAGUE, October 17. * rQ Street lighting occurred in Berlin on re - Friday and Saturday, beginning with of a Nationalist demonstration, demand'll- ing the continuance of the war. These picces.si|Din |trnv<tr-sc'»l the Wilhelmstrasse and Unter den Linden, denouncing tho Government . Counter defonstrations were immediatoly organised on a large scale. At first they were merely noisy. Then [>. heavy fighting took place. The ponce if were outnumbered. Some were severely -- injured. *" Strons patrols of soldiers and mount--1 ed police rode through the towns until nighfall. i j f SOLDIERS REFUSE TO FIGHT j LONDON, Oct. 17. , I! The “Daily express” Amsterdam - correspondent states: It is reported »; that German soldiers, with civilian sup- ' l pprb (ire refusing to go to tho front. ■ | They have caused disorders in lnany i places in Germany. ] A whole regiment of Aix—La-Chapelle ( threw their arms into the canal on Sun- j day rather than proceed to the Flem- j ish front. They shot a captain who : called them traitors. All wont unpuu- 1 ished. | s

OBJECTS OF GERMAN HATE. LONDON, Oct. 17. It is reported that the Crown Prince has been warned not to visit Berlin. Tho feeling against the Kaiser there is particularly hitter. He is openly called “Wilhelm the Culprit.” The Kaiser, who is reported to he n physical wreck, has been informed of Ijis serious position by King Ludwig of Bavaria and others. ABDICATION WANTED. PARIS, Oct. 17. “Le Matin” states: General Ludendorff informed the Kaiser that the principal cause of the military reverses was mutiny. Divisions decline to obey orders. Soldiers assemble and discuss politics, and commanders, even some of the Kaiser’s favourites, agree that he must abdicate, .if his person is (in obstacle to peace. The populace believes that bis abdication would be sufficient to prevent the punishment of Germany. When this illusion is dispelled the depression will ho terrible.

DR. SOLE WANTS PEACE. LONDON, Oct. 17

Tho Berlin correspondent of a proGerman Swedish journal, describes an interview be had with Dr Solf (German Foreign and Colonial Minister) on the 13th of October, (Sunday last). It was before .Dr. Solf despatched the German reply to President Wilson. Dr Solf expressed the hope that an honourable peace would be obtained. He added: “We must admire our soldiers for what they have done, but we cannot admire or diplomats’ share in the war.” PEACE OR REVOLUTION. LONDON, Oct. 17. The London “Daily Chronicle's” Amsterdam correspondent says: “A neutral who has arrived here from Germany states it is not an exaggeration to say that Germany is now forced to the alternaive of peace or revolution.”