AMERICA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 12 July 1917, Page 5

AMERICA.

REDUCING THE HEIGHT OF RECRUITS. Received 11.10. WASHINGTON. July 11. The War Department has announced that it has changed the height requirements for recruit's, makfcig ?-'ai T able thousands of additional dra""i men. The minimum is 61 inelW ■ the maximum 78 inches. The slow organisation r*f Exempti*" Boards is delaying drafting.

GERMANY'S INTERNAL TROUBLES. HOLLWEG'S FATE. HIS FALL ANTICIPATED. HINDENBURG MAY SUCCEED. AMSTERDAM, July 10. Dr. von Bet-hmann-Hollweg's opponents, representing all bourgeois elements, have set to work to form a great block against the junkers. Their party now includes Socialists, Liberals, National Liberals, and the Centre, though a section of the National Liberals is understood to still desire some annexations.

Conservative , junkers continue to ridicule the idea of introducing political reforms while all the energies of the nation must be directed to establishing a hegemony of the Prussian sword in Europe.

Peace proposals and internal reforms will be discussed in the Reichstag to-day, when Dr. von BettimannHollweg again speaks. Herr Erzeberger, who represents the South German coalition, voices the agreement made between Austria, Bavaria, and Wurtemburg.

As a result of the bloc BethmannHollweg is without effective politcal support, few of the newspapers assisting him. The general opinion in Germany is that Bethmann-Hollweg must go. Prince Bulow is mentioned as a probable successor, while others suggested are the Bavarian Premier (Count Hertling)- and" Count Roldehn. The Kaiser, however, may prefer Marshal von Hindenburg as Chancellor, p articularly as General Ludendorff is Germany's real military genius. It is understood that the Kaiser has not -yet abandoned the hope of saving Bethmann-Hollweg, trusting to contend against the bloc. There is great difficulty in getting detailed news from Germany, as the censor is stopping all telegrams.

CROWN COUNCIL MEETS. AMSTERDAM, July 10. It is understood that Herr Erbeberger's attitude is the result of a long audience with the Emperor Charles in Vienna last week. Almost the whole German Centre party is~ strongly supporting Herr Erzeb v erger, only Herr Spahn, chairman of the party, disagreeing. The Kaiser presided over the first Crown Council since the war. The Prussian Federal Ministers were present. It is reported that the Kaiser accepted the resignation of Herr Helfferich, Minister for Finance and Herr Zimmerman, Minister for Foreign Affairs. EVENTS MOVING RAPDILY. AMSTERDAM, July 10. Events in Germany are moving rapidly. It has been decided to grant substantial democratic concessions to Prussia, Liberal Ministers replacing five Conservatives in the Prussian Cabinet. Count von Bethmann Hollweg remains Chancellor, but Hern Helffer* ich (Food Controller) and Herr Zimmerman (Foreign Minister) resign, the former because of the failure of the food policy and the latter because of the failure of his foreign policy, notably in the Mexican incident and America 's intervention. Count von Hollweg 's enemies attack him for sacrificing his pan-Gorman colleagues and saving his own skin. The Majority leaders drafted a formula of unity. It is understood it declares that Germany is waging a merely defensive war.

A Prussian Conservative syndicato is purchasing the South Liberal newspapers and endeavouring Fo destroy the Erzberger movement.

253 DEPUTIES SUPPORT ERZBERGER. AMSTERDAM.. July 10. , There are 253 deputies supporting Erzberger. The only doubtful point is how far the conclusion of peace is bound with the demoeratisation of Germany. Another contributors ,'to the campaign against Count von Bethmaun Hollweg is Prince Lihnowsky, ex-Am-bassador at London. In an article he declares that the system of one-man Government is He demands a constitutional parliamentary Government, despite the resistance of the Junkers and Conservatives, as otherwise the country will go to pieces. He declares that the Kaiser is far more constitutional than is supposed. He never intervened personally in public affairs apart from a few impulsive telegrams. According to German press reports, Count Hollweg. speaking to the Grand* Committee of the Reichstag, declared that "we must continue the war with all our energy. I am sur 1 we can win if we hold out.'" He considered it necesssary to remain at his post in order to protect Hie Fatherlpr'; from injury, Germany could n.-t debtor? tfvis of peace, but must fight on and conquer. He concluded by strongly attacking Herr Erzberger for his unpatriotic at* titude. ,""';•• >'■'■