GERMANY’S INTERNAL TROUBLES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 7 May 1917, Page 5

GERMANY’S INTERNAL TROUBLES.

KILLING A STRIKE.

THE GERMAN WAY,

LEADERS THREATENED WITH

DEATH.

BERNE, May 5.

The closing of the German frontiers is partially explained by the refusal of Independent Socialist leaders to promise that there would not be any interruption of work on May Day. The military authorities informed them on the 28th that they would be arrested for high treason, and probably shot, unless they gave the required pledge. The stalwarts thereupon collapsed, and the pledge was given. Thereupon the military on 29th April arrested a thousand of the least unruly local leaders in Berlin, Leipzig, Breslau, Magdeburg, Halle, Dresden, Stuttgart, and Kiel, where May Day strikes were threatened. The rank and file of the party, being leaderless, found placards on Monday staring them in the face warning them of the full penalties of martial law as affecting all strikers. The whole movement collapsed, and the Independent Socialists went to work ,on Tuesday.

AT SEA.

STANDARDISED SHIPS. SEAMEN VS ACCOMODATION. Received 9.25. LONDON, May (5. The Journal of Commerce states that as a result of conferences of the authorities with the Seamen’s Union, the new British standardised ships will accomodate the crews aft in separate cubicles for two men each. Mcssrooms and bathrooms will also be provided.

INCREASED SHIPPING FACILITIES Received 9.25. LONDON, May (i. Holland has sent a Foreign Office official to London to endeavour to arrange increased shipping facilities between the two countries.