AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 November 1918, Page 5

AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS.

CRISIS IN VIENNA. SOLDIERS PILLAGE, CITY. BERNE, Nov 4. The German Government energetically protested against the Hungarian Government seizing twenty thousand tons of provisions, five hundred locomotives, thirty thousand waggons bound to Germany, and also refusing transport for two German army corps from the Balkans. These will probably be disarmed. The situation in Vienna is critical. Red Guards and regularly constituted soldiers are pillaging. The military are selling food to civilians at fancy prices, and the movement is taking a Bolshevik turn. The Government at Budapest has ordered the confiscation of German and Austrian steamers on the Danube.

AUSTRIAN ARMISTICE. END OP DUAL MONARCHY. WASHINGTON,. Nov 4. The publication of the terms of the Austrian armistice is awaited with interest second only to the publication of the German armistice and her answer. j The feeling in Italian diplomatic circles is that the Austrian armistice marks the definite end of the Dual Monarchy. It was pointed out that military circles in Germany were now faced with possible invasion on three sides. There will be no cessation of attacks during the winter because the Gzecho-Slovaks will enable the Allies to use Prague as a base for aeroplane attacks on Berlin and other cities. It is also pointed out that Germany is now cut off from her main supply of gasoline, which came from Galicia, Baku, and Roumania. Her ‘ submarine bases in the Mediterranean no longer exist. It is believed in some qi/arters that Germany will be compelled to accept whatever terms are imposed by Marshal Poch.

The New York Press, commenting on the collapse of Austria, thinks it will result in forcing the Kaiser practically to surrender unconditionally. If he does not accept an armistice his armies wil be" able to resist the Allies for only a short time.’ M. Andre Tardieu, the French Commissioner to America, says; The armistice terms will include practically everything necessary to • insure the rapid conclusion of the war on a permanent basis. In the answer which the Germans must give to our armistice terms they must say whether they confess they are beaten. If they -so confess the war will end by the acceptance of our conditions. Germany’s condition is extremely serious and I believe she will accept whatever the Allies propose. America’s entry into tho war forced the enemy to realise that defeat, was inevitable.

CHAOTIC CONDITION OF AUSTRIA EXCESSES BY SOLDIERS. Received 9 a.m. THE HAGUE, Nov 5. Vienna is in a state of constant excitement, full of panicky rumours. The defences were manned on the 3rd, owing to the belief that escaped prisoners were marching on Vienna. Soldiers are streaming homeward in disorder, committing terrible excesses and plundeing. Workmen’s excesses are reported in a large number of cities. Newspapers plead for the maintenance of order. The future of Aus-tria-Hungary is a world problem. Two thousand escaped Russians are marching on Budapest.

The Archduke Joseph, with his son, to k the oath of loyalty at the Budapest Council. AUSTRIA'S SURRENDERED NAVY. Received 11 a.m. WASHINGTON, Nov 5. Mr Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, gives out a statement regarding the strength of the Austrian Navy, which totals 248 vessels of various types, including 15 battleships, 5 carriers, 21 destroyers, 67 torpedo boats, 45 submarines, 10 torpedo gunboats, and 43 mine-layers. KARL REFUSES TO SIGN armistice. Received 12.20 a.m. COPENHAGEN, Nov. 5. Advices from Vienna state the Emperor Karl refused to sign the armistice on the ground that the terras arc dishonourable. The. Chief of Staff. General Arz then signed it. The Emperor has handed over the supreme military authority to Field Marshal Koovcss.