AUSTRIA'S PLIGHT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 265, 5 April 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

AUSTRIA'S PLIGHT.

VICTIM OF GERMANY. News from Vienna, via Switzerland, states that the political crisis and a stato bordering on chaos continue in Austria, says the London "Daily Telegraph." The impression gained is that the source of acute trouble lies really in the unfortunate declaration of an independent Polish kingdom and the promise of autonomy to Galicia. That promise was suggested or extorted by Berlin, and in a fatal moment was con. j-ented to by the late Emperor and his murdered Premier. Both have been removed from the scene by death, and now it i.- beginning to dawn on their successors that Austria has I'een the victim of vile intrigues. Once more Germany is responsible for creating trouble where peace might have existed, and it so far she has succeeded in hiding her hand from the general public in Austria, the real truth is becoming perceptible to the official mind. The promise of autonomy for Gal'cia was an implicit confession that Austria had not well administered the province. It lias inspired the Hungarian Nationalists with a further feeling of triumph at the embarrassment and weakening of Austria. Humours, founded on good sources n! into: niation. report that military revolts have taken place in various towns m Austria, in which Austrian troops actually fraternised with the Czechs in mutiny. Both now have their mi' vances, and join Lands in a coinon erlort to get satisfaction. The local mutinies were rapidly suppressed Iv the intervention of German and Hungarian troops, and tiie conclusion i. that to keep order in the Empire tor the iuture th ; > unfortunate young Kinpeioi has to call in the aid of Germans or Hungarian.*.

M -anv.hilo tho poor (Vclis are to ho the tir-i to siiffi r. Kor their participation ii; tin- mutinies, tho Kmperor—who is -a (1 to \i> averse to m.iss executions—ha> hoon oMigod, nevertheless, to allow high emit.—martial to assemhlo and has h.ul to consent to severe me.isun -• prope-ed I>y Baron Conr.ul von Hoetz ndorf against hi< retallif.ns Czech soldier?. Hitherto they were districted among the Hungarian trfn)»«, and now a certain numivr (it them will he incorporated with t!• - P'meraiii.ni regiments if Gc:manv.