A SHAKY EMPIRE.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 5 December 1918, Page 3

A SHAKY EMPIRE.

SEE-SAW TACTICS IN GERMANY. Received this day, 9.5 a.m. Tlie Hague, December 3. The whole of the German press complains of the inability 'of the Soviets or the Executive Committee to carry out practical administrative work. The various Socialist groups are 'riotliing but "discussing clubs involved in fierce quarrels. The Deutsche Tageszeitung says that if misrule continues Bolshevism will finally triumph. Under the heading "Berlin Witchcp' Cauldron," the Cologne Volkszeitung describes an extremely rowdy meeting of the Berlin Soldiers' Council, revealing many scandalls connected with the revolutionary methods and. administration. It also disclosed that officers burned important documents recently arrived from Brussels showing that the old regime was responsiEle for the war. The discussions became so heated that the Bavarian, Baden and Alsace delegates withdrew, declaring that the Berlin Council had: adopted terrorism. The Baden representatives were subsequently induced to return. ACUTE SITUATION" IN BREMEN. PROPOSAL TO DISARM MIDDLE CLASSES. Received this day, .10.40 a.m. The Hague, December 3. The situation at 'Bremen grows acuter. It is typical of much that is happening in the industrial centres where Communism is gaining round,. A Radical Socialist named Knicf, addressing an open-air demonstration, advocated a claiss war and declared that the establishment of a National Assembly would only help the bourgeoisie to regain their supremacy. The workers must have their own army, secure predominance and disarm the bourgeoisie, who were collecting the ruins of the old army for the purpose of asserting its claims. A majority of the meeting voted agairint tliie summoning of the Assembly and unanimously approved of arming the proletariat. A subsequent meeting of the Bremen •Soldiers' Council was twice interrupted by extremists from the streets, where a huge threatening crowd assembled. Knief secured order and the Council voted, -by 97 to 56 in favour of a National Asembly and also rejected the proposal to disarm the bourgeoisie and arm the working classes by '100 to 19. The announcement of the decision evoked roars of "Slia.nie." The chairman explained! that the vote was necessary for the sake of the country's food.

111-treatment of Prisoners

QUEEN DENOTTNOES HUN METHODS'. Received this day, 9.5 a.m. London, December 3. The Queen, in greeting returning war prisoners at Cannon-street station, shook hands with many and denounced the shameful ill-treatment tliey had experienced.

Germany's Eastern Forces

IX PERILOUS PLIGHT. Received this day, 9.5 a.m. Copenhagen, iDecember 3. The German People's Commissary at Ba.rth deplored the situation of the army in the Ea.st, which, it is feared, mav suffer th: l fate of Napoleon's army in 1814.

FRENCH FINANCE.

A SUCCESSFUL IjOAN. Received this day, 9.5 a.m. Paris, December 3. The Fiivni'ce Minister lias announced the -übsoription of the n-w loan, the total sum received :'jiproximating twenty billion francs.

To Combat Boishevikism

NAVAL AND MILITARY UNITE. Received this day, 9.5 a.m. Stockholm, December 3. Tension in Berlin is somewhat eased as the_ result of the decision to" convoke a. National AwcmKly. M. Hranting. the 'Swedish Socialist leader, luts telegraph to Herr Ebert, the German Premier, approving of the Assembly which he hopes wil produce a union of partios and, stability of administration. A meeting of four thousand officer in Berlin, representing non-commissioned officers of the Army anct Navy, passed a resolution declaring that both services were determined! to help the Government to combat Bolshevism.

World's Naval Future.

STATEMENT Bf ROOSEVELT. Received tliis day, 9.15 a.m. New York,-December 4. Mr Roosevelt lias issued a statement that the British Empire imperatively needs the greatest Navy in the World. The United Statets should instantly concede this, and the. United States should have the secondl Navy in the World. France needs greater miltiary strength than the United States, but all our poling men should be given miltary training. There must not be an interpretation of the freedom of the seais that would prevent the British Navy repeating in a possible future conflict 'the tremendous service it has rendered in this Britain must return the German c >1oniefi which she ha/- captured.

The Peace Settlement;

RUSSIA RJ3ADY TO NEGOTIATE Received; thir> day, 10.40'a.ai'. Stockholm, December 4. . Litvinoff,'who was formerly the B/lshevik representative in England, in an ■interview., said he was empowered to represent "Russia if Britain .proposes negotiation. He diid not know what the Allies .wanted from Ris-sia. Ru- ;ia wanted peace and was prepared to make concessions on all questions, ■-■■vcept internal matters. It was imp■>*sible for Russia to pay her debts., immediately, but a moratorium might Uo arranged whereby Russia would grant mining and commercial concessions and make her natural resources available.