AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 December 1918, Page 6

AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.

f GOVERNMENT IN HANES OF NATIONAL COUNCIL. LONDON, December 7. An English, correspondent in Berlin says that the real Government of Germany is in the hands of the National Council elected by district councils of workmen and soldiers, in which everj regiment is now represented. The most powerful man in Germany is Ernest Daumig, President of the National Council, formerly on the “Vorwaerts” staff and recently Secretary of the Independent Socialists. Daumig declares that all persons associated with the old regime must go. > The German National Assembly elections will, be held on May 15th. 1919. . AMSTERDAM, December 7. Four thousand officers and non-coms, have resolved to establish a corps to •uphold the Ebert Government. COPENHAGEN, Dec. 7. A mass meeting was held in Berlin suburbs, when Spartacus speakers declared that if a National Assembly was summoned the military would immediately disperse it. '.EBERT'S GOVERMENT .STANDING FIRM. LONDON, December 7. There is no confirmation of the report of a Bolshevik outbreak in Berlin; on the contrary, a Berlin message states that the Ebert Government is greatly strengthened by the adhesion of ,a number of guards from regiments at the front. The ex-Kaiser’s son Adalbert telegraphed to Ebert placing himself at the disposal of the Government. SOLDIERS DEMAND A .REPUBLIC COPENHAGEN, Dec. 7. A mesage from Berlin states that at a meeting of soldiers.from the front, the soldiers announced that the executive committee of the Berlin Soviet had been arrested. A procession was thereupon organised, and a demonstration made before the Chancellory, demanding a Republic, and making Ebert the first President. Ebert, asked if he would agree to this, replied that he must first confer with the Government. ’ He denounced the arrest of the committee, and declared that the Government was not responsible. Therefore, the committee must be released immediately. Subsequently, the demonstrators not dispersing, soldiers turned on a machine-gun, and general firing ensued. Sixteen were killed, and fifteen wounded. MAKING GERMANY PAY. o CLAIM BY BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS. £8,000,000,000 IN CASH DEMANDED. LONDON, Dec 7. 1 Papers state that Mr. Lloyd George will announce to-day that the cash reparation demanded by Britain and the Dominions from Germany would he eight thousand millions sterling. The claim has been prepared by a committee presided over by Mr. Hughes, and including Mr. Cunliffe. PARIS, Dec 7. The finance sub-committee of the Armistice Commission at Spa has intimated that Germany must not alienate the gold in railways and mines, or any industrial, commercial or colonial enterprises wherein 11 the State is interested. Germany must also restore all documents taken from France and Belgium. ANOTHER FOCH ORDER. LONDON, Deo 7. A Berlin message states that Foch directed the president of the German transport department to proceed to Cologne on the 11th to give the Allied delegation precise information as to traffic organisation in the ioccupierl provinces.