AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 May 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

THE WORLD’S WORST FOOD SHORTAGE. SERIOUS SITUATION ADMITTED. LONDON, May 2. We have never before believed in the sudden collapse of the patient German people from internal pressure, but undoubtedly the diminution of rations is affecting their moral, says the “Times” in a leader to-day. There is great bitterness in Austria, where the food situation is the worst in the world. There is bitterness against Germany and Hungary, which are supposed to be withholding food, and the bitterness between the Germans, Slavs and Czechs is chronic.

Ministerial crises prevail at Vienna and Budapest. Karl seeks Premiers in vain. On all hands the cries go up that the great victory in Russia has proved a delusion. Left to themsehTves, the great majority of the 'Austro-Huhga,rians would make peace tb-morrfi,w/ ( biqi\ ..above all this Central Empire welter' sits Berlin ’s military caste,, •gripping; still the unbroken military machine. ■ .Reuter's -correspondent at- Amsterdam states that Vienna -messages indicate that Emperor, Karl has empowered the Austrian Premier, Dr. von Seidleiy to adjourn the Riechsrath., ; The official journal explains that ! this measure is due to the inability 6f Parliament to find a stable policy which is necessary in a decisive phase of the war. The resumption of the sittings of the Reichsrath will only sharpen political antagonists and endanger the fulfilment -of the 'economic task, especially in a solution of the food supply problem, to. enable, the nations -to hold out, and on this everything depends. .. -i The “Berliner Tageblatt’s" Vienna correspondent says that the adjournment is chiefly due to the desire of the Crown to avoid debates on the Emperor’s letter, and on the members of the House of Parma, who were concerned in that affair. The “Weser Zeitung’s” Vienna correspondent says that the Government intention to partition TTdhemia, which incensed the Czech population, is largely responsible for the crisis. THE CLIMAX REACHED. The Premier (Dr. von Seidler), in addressing the Reichsrath, admitted that the entire military and political position had reached a climax. Economic, and especially food, conditions were very serious. Dr. von Seidler, apparently alluding to the- offensive against Italy, said that the next few months would bring big decisions. It was necessary that the Government should not be hampered by Parliamentary troubles. He there' fore recommended that Parliament should resume its sittings for the present.

Dr. Gross (President of the Reichsrath) refused further to postpone the sittings', while even a section of the German party was not. keen on the elimination of Parliament. Dr. Aaler, leader of the Social Democrats, and also other party leaders, including the leader of the Poles, warned the Premier against the postponement of the sittings. Further developments are awaited with the greatest interest.