CRACKING UP.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 October 1917, Page 3

CRACKING UP.

Enemy Naval Discipline Breaks. Mutiny on Austrian Ships.

[ELEbTHICJ TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.] (Received This Day, 8.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 18. • . It is officially reported that mutinies in the Austrian navy were caused by bad food, and the officers' ill treatment. A clash occurred between Austrian sailors and the crews of the German U-boat -fleet at Pola, and sanguinary fighting took place. Officers on both sides were killed. The tension became most alarming owing to "the Germans' overbearing conduct. Extraordinary measures were taken, and the flotilla was removed further south, down the Adriatic coast. The Austrian admiralty made a desperate attempt to suppress the new?, which reached the United States via Berne. •

Coupled with the mutinies by the eubmarine crews at Ostend and in the main German fleet, this news has accentuated the belief that the Central Powers are rapidly cracking'up. Reinforcing Austria. (Received 9.40 a.m.) Washington, Oct. 19. Despatches from Rome state that the Austro-Germans have been compelled to withdraw forty divisions from the eastern front to reinforce the' Austrian troops in Italy. Already German, Turkish and Bulgarian troops have been sent to the Italian front, but Austria ap- ' pealed to Germany for additional reinforcements for the troops who are endeavouring to withstand the Italian pressure on the Bainsizza plateau. Supplies for the Allies. (Received 10 a.m.) Washington, Oct 19. The American Government is considering diverting 100,000 tons of shipping from the Pacific to the Atlantic in order to hasten supplies to the Allies.