Central Powers

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 85, 7 November 1916, Page 5

Central Powers

RUSSIA AND THE ENTENTE

GERMANY’S REmL MOTIVE, Press Association —Copyright, Austin lian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, November 5. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the real motive of the Austro-German strategy in Roumania is the necessity for avoiding a new front of 635 miles, which the Roumanian frontier represents. The Austro-German-Hnlgar efforts arc devoted to straightening the lino, in order to reach across Ronmanla. From the passes where the fighting is taking place to Con stanza is only ;>SO miles. The plan implies a converging movement on the part of Falkenhayn and Mackensen. wherein Falkenhayn is playing the principal role, as Mackensen is unable to operate across the Danube.

All tin' German political and military efforts are bent upon detaching Russia from the coalition. The Germans are taking advantage of the complexity of the Russian internal situation, and seeking to. organise Poland against Russia, disseminating rumors unfavourable to England, and conducting anti-Russian propaganda among the Lithuanians and Letts, even suggesting a solution of the Dardanelles problem by an arrangement with Germany.

THE REICHSTAG CLOSED. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Amsterdam, November G. Despite the fact that the members of the'Reichstag expected the session to last until Thursday, it was suddenly dismissed on Saturday, as the result of an autocratic decision. Herr Rethmann-Hollweg offered to make a speech on Wednesday if there were no debate, and all the parties, except the Centre, refused to promise not to speak. It is believed the Government is determined to muzzle the Reichstag, fearing the result of a discussion. Measures for a mass enrolment ol men and women for war purposes, including the complete military control of labor, have been passed. Men, trained and untrained, to the age of 47, who have hitherto been rejected or exempted, have been summoned for re-examination.