GERMAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1924, Page 3

GERMAN NEWS.

[ Kectkhs TeI.EC It AMS.]

VERY HEAVY BOLLING

EXPERTS’ REPORT THE ISSI'l 1

(Received this day at 10.10 a.mi.) LONDON, May -V

'file Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says the polling passed elf without serious incident. The gravity of the issue appeared to lie amply recognised by tho great majority of the electors as there was a very heavy poll. The Experts’ Report played a big part in the later stages of the Government campaign. In fact, it became. the main issue from the moment the Government oftieially advocated its acceptance. Since then, the Government speakers, especially Dr Streseiii it, used hardly any other argument to ensure their return, file cards are considered to have been so well played that Govrnmciit .circles display some confidence with regard to the probable result.

THE NATIONALISTS’ POSITION

[“Tits Times” Service.]

(Received this dnv at 10.2") a.m.) LONDON, May 5.

Tho Nationalists have been shaken somewhat in their faith that they could secure it big majority for a policy of resistance. The loss of Helfferich at a critical point in the campaign meant a great deal to them. Since then they have floundered hopelessly owing to lack of competent leadership, their few reinnining prominent men failing to offer any alternative to the Govern-

incut's new policy. CONSTITUTION OK NEW REICHSTAG. [KK L"1 Kits Tf.LE< 11!All S.] iRc-oived this day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, May 5. Sufficient results are available 1° indicate roughly the constitution of the new Reichstag. The Socialists lost fifty to sixty seats, chiefly to the <'oiimiimisls, but they remain the strongest party with about 11 11 deputies as compared with 17‘J at the hi-l election. The German Nationals are the second largest with some ninety seats, a gain of -!() to 'the C«•••«inuiiists have 45 to 51), an increase of HO in ,‘(5. The relative position of I lie other parties is still uncertain as numerous results are still to come. The extreme Nationalists will probably secure about twenty as compared with three in the last Reichstag. The form of the new Government, is not quite clear at present but there is evidence that the German Nationals will be the deciding factor.

A 1.1.11-10 CONYF.K.HATIOS'S

(.Received this dav at 10.15 a.in.) LONDON, May 0. An Ostenil correspondent says tdint although an Allied agreement Ird not yet been reached, with regard to the s t application of the experts proposals, V”— progress is undoubtedly being made in connection therewith. The conferences which Them.is and Hymans have had with l’oineare and MacDonald seem to have done much to clear the air.

The Belgian Ministers arrived at Ostein! in the afternoon from London. M. Thotinis said: -‘We discussed broad lines of the reparation problem in the light of the experts plan. It is indispensable there should be goodwill. Tt is evident -Mr MacDonald is animated by an undeniable desire to reach an agreement. Tie does not conceal bis sympathies with Franco. We return favourably impressed. M. Hymans when asked if an inter- ■ Allied Conference may be looked lor in near future, replied: ‘'That is a difficult question to answer. There is certainly an Allied agreement at the moment and judging by the conversations I had, such conference may be nearer than many think.” Both Ministers declared that strict secrecy with regard to what transpired at Chequers was most essential, in the interests of Allied' unity. A.MCSIXCI EXL» I.AXAT!O X. (Received this day at 10.45 a.m.) BERLIN. May 5. . An amusing side of the Kusso-Gor-mau quarrel is the fact that it originated from the thirst of two policemen. The latter arrested the Communist Eotzenhardt, in Wurteiiiburg, and were cs- ‘ corting him to Berlin, when Bot/.enhardT offered to procure a drink from the Russian delegation in the building. The policemen fell into the trap and entered the building where they state they were made prisoners for some time, while Botzenhardt escaped during the confusion, and lias not been seen since.

POSITION OF PARTIES

[Rectkhs Tei.eorams.’l (Received this day at 11.45 n.m.) BERLIN, May 5. Provisional final iexults of the elections show ninety-nine Socialists, fiftynine Communists, twenty-five Democrats sixty-ono Centre I’artv, fifteen Bavarian Peoples Party, forty-four German Peoples Party, ninety-three German Nationals, twenty-eight Extreme Nationals, five Hanoverians and nineteen other parties,