IN GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 September 1918, Page 4

IN GERMANY.

THE KAISER’S ESSEN SPEECH PROFOUNDLY AFFECTS . GERMANY. ' % STILL FAITH IN SUBMARINES., Received 5.45 a.m. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 15. The German papers' publish long comments on the Kaiser’s Essen speech Some congratulate him on taking the leadership, and assert it has much affected the people. Newspapers arc fall of articles breathing loyalty. It is admitted he has done much to enhance his prestige in the eyes of all Germans. Socialist papers emphasise the Kaiser’s remark: "that this is not the time for party differences," and say this sought to he a lessen to the Prussian Junkers not to resist Prussia’s legitimate claim for a general franchise. Admiral Scheor (who commanded the German fleet in the battle of Jutland) told members of the Reichstag: "I have no doubt for a moment we shall bring England to negotiations by means of our submarines; but I must decline to fix a date. THE FALL OF THE MIGHTY. HINDENBURG’S STATUE DEFACED Received 8.55 a.m. ROME, Sept 15. The famous Hindenburg statue in Berlin has been surrounded by a barricade owing to unknown persons nightly defacing it with insulting inscriptions.

A SOCIALIST DEPUTATION. PEOPLE AT LAST RESOURCE. OWING TO FOOD SHORTAGE. NO CONSOLATION GIVEN. Received 9.10 a.m. BERLIN, Sept 15. The “Tageiblatt” reports the remarkable proceedings of a trade union deputation to Dr. Hertling on the 12th inst. The spokesman said the people had become seriously discouraged by the recent events, and felt they were economically sinking. The food continued bad and' dangerously insufficient; prices were extortionate, consequently the bodily strength of workers was declining. They must have more meat and potatoes. Workmen’s trousers, which used to cost four marks, now cost sixty, and lasted only a quarter of the time, and w&e unmendable. The people’s anger over 1 the Prussian suffrage question had reached boiling point. Military censorship and martial law lay heavy on the trade unions, and urged now That the exhaustion of our enemies had begun and their break through failed* was the time for peace by understanding. '

Dr. Hertling assured them the political leaders and the High Command were striving for such peace and un- 1 animously opposed to conquests. As regards equal suffrage repeated promises that if the Upper House failed to agree thereto the Landtag would be dissolved. --

Herr Walruf, Secretary of the Interior, promised the military would reconsider the right of meeting and censorship.

Herr Waldow, Secretary of Food Supplies, said it was impossible to get more food: meatless days must continue in order to insure milk and fat. The supply of the potato crop was worse than last year; corn was only 15 per cent better.

Baron von Stein, Secretary of State, stated substitutes for clothing must be utilised. Colonel Braun, of,the War Office, promised to examine the question of shortening working hours, but thiswas impossible in mines.

Socialist Deputy Legien, replying, said the Ministers’ statements with regard to food and hours showed the situation was hopeless, and the work-: ers could not work the present hours.