GERMANY WITHIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1918, Page 1

GERMANY WITHIN.

r AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION']

REACTION BY GOVERNMENT. AMSTERDAM November 24

Fearing that the movements towards separtion will grow Herr I'.bart (the Chancellor) and Herr Haase (Minister of Interior) have issued a decree empowering the Federal Council to exercise its old powers over all Germany.

SOVIETS AS EXECUTIVE. LONDON November 24

A Berlin official message states: The Soviets have assumed executive authority.

BERLIN ISOLATED. LONDON November 24. Berne reports state that new trouble has broken ouit in Berlin. Telegraphic communication lias ceased.

GERMANY’S NEW ARMY. COPENHAGEN November 2-1

The Berlin Government lias decided for « Socialist Army, consisting of privates and leaders wearing similar uniforms with the badges of rank on the shoulder. A red cockade on the cap replaces the Imperial cockade. Spe rial' instructions will be issued regarding discipline.

THE HAMONT DISASTER. AMSTERDAM November 24

A series of explosions occurred ii the disaster at Hamont, which happened at midnight. Finally a waggon load of grenades blew up. Many houses col lapsed and the inhabitants were buried. The explosion was of such violence that fragments of the grenades fell o, the Dutch side of the frontier. The neighbourhood of Hamont Station resomzlcd a sea of -fire. Throe hospital trins were alight. A number of German wounded. soldiers perished.

GERMAN BOLSHEVIKS. LONDON, Nov. 24

Latest news from Germany s.hows a changed tone in the' revolution! It is becoming apparently definitely Rolshe vik, in many places at least. There are now groups of the propertyless or proletarian class, known as Spartncus groups, who are gaining in influence. They have made demonstrations at Berlin.

NORTH GERMAN REPUBLIC.

LONDON. Nov. 24

The situation in Germany is said to lie critical. This is owing to the "Berlin workers and solders controlling the country. One result may ho the "formation of an independent republic for northern Germany, with Hamburg ns the capital.

REPUBLIC PROCLAIM ED. LONDON ,Xov. 24

Copenhagen reports that the Berlin Workmen’s and Soldiers Council have proclaimed Aldenburg .east Freisland, Bremen. Hamburg, and Schleswig-Hol-stein, a Republic, with Hamburg as the capital.

.ALORE RENUNCIATIONS. LONDON. Nov. 24

The Grand Duke of Baden and Prince Max of Baden have renounced the throne of Baden,

SPARTACUS MOVEMENT. LONDON, Nov. 24

Reports from Copenhagen toll of the increasing strength of the Spartncus groups, which are mostly workmen rather than soldiers.

Proletarian diotatorishp have now been established at Dusselilorff, and Soinge, and a number of other towns.

Extremists at Frankfurt have seized the good stocks. Ebert’s Government appears to bo losing ground, owing to a divergence of opinion as between the soldiers .and the workmen regarding the date of the National Convention.

SI’ART AC US RISING URGED. COPENHAGEN, Nov. 23. The Spartaeus newspaper “Roteghan” states that a strong body of troops has been ordered to suppress the Spartaousians. The- journal is summoning the latter to rise and seize authority.

HERR EBERT’S VIEWS.

THE SOCIALIST OPINION.

(Received. This Day at 8.45 a.in.) LONDON November 2o

The “‘Daily Express” Copenhagen correspondent states Herr Ebert interviewed in Berlin said only a handful of idiots demand that the war be eon tinned. The soldiers regard such a step as suicide. The political leadership of to-day lies in the Socialist hands, with Bourgeois Ministers holding expert portfolios. Germany will be a shining example to the world of the first successful state.

Herr Liebkneeht in an interview, stal ed the present Government has driven them to extremes. Previously the extreme Socialists were not Bolsheviks. Other messages state the bread ration in Berlin is now 38 ounces compared with thirty ounces in September. 'I lie meat ration is doubled and potatoes twelve pounds weekly, costing a penny farthing 1 -per pound.

CRITICAL SITUATION. 'Received This Dnv at 9.30. ft.m.i LONDON November 25. The “Daily News” Munich correspondent says the Internal situation in Germany is highly critical. Extremist* in Berlin are hourly growing holder. Unless the homecoming troops vigorously support the present Government the Liebkneeht—Sparlacus. group will be masters. It is believed the troops favour, the speedy convocation of the National Assembly. Many Army meetings protested against Bolsheviks methods. . - The Bavarian authorities are determined on a rupture with Prussia if Bolshevism is successful.

NEAT GERAIAX REPUBLICS, fßeceived This Dav at 9.50. a.m.) BERLIN November 24.

The Bavarian Premier favours ten German Republics with Vienna in south counter-balancing Berlin’s influence. The three southern Republics to be Bavaria, German Austria, and United Baden, Wnrtemburg and Hesse. The three will be strong enough to counter Prussia, which will itself be divided into three Republics.

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

(Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 25. Air Dosch Flourot cables from Berlin -. The strongest impression I got coming into Germany is that the country expects a certain famine, unless her formor enemies come to their aid. Trains arc lieatless and lightless, trams in Berlin are muddy and shabby, and there are few loungers in the vast empty cafes. Almost all traffic in the streets consists of worn-out soldiers homeward hound. The general impression is of prolonged misery, unequalled by what I have seen during the war, even in Russia.

Except for the organised starvation of the bourgeois there is no sueli misery. Germany has reached the .absolute limit and lies exhausted. The issue now is between the Democratic Constituent Assembly and the Proletariat Soviet Government. Despite the demand for action throughout tlie nation, the present Government has not- yet decided which form to adopt. Mr Dosch Flourot says according to its opponents, the Government leans towards the Soviet organisation. The issue is so widely understood that soldiers on route from France to Berlin, telegraph every day demanding the Constituent Assembly. The Majority Socialists, who are fighting for the Constituent Assembly, are not as active as formerly. . The Minority Socialists are sufficiently strong to prevent the present Government taking definite action. He is struck by tlie absence of rifles in the streets, which compares favourably with, the conditions, in Russia at the beginning of.the Revolution. The German soldiers wish to be furnished with rifles.