AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 December 1918, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION SERIOUS. ARMY OF DEFENCE TO BE FORMED. Received 10.25 a.m. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 17. Ebcrt, in a speech at Berlin, said the economic and political situation was serious. He protested against the very high demands of the Allies. He announced the establishment of a new national defence army, which would protect the National Assembly. RIOTING IN DRESDEN. Received 11.35 a.m. BERLIN, December 17. There is rioting at Dredscn, and demonstrators are pillaging military stores. They were dispersed by Government troops after five had been killed and forty wounded. GERMANY CALMER. BUT SITUATION OMINOUS. \ ' LONDON, December 16 Advices from B'crlin state that the Guards Regiment announce that they intend to remain faithful to the Republic, but will not allow themselves to be used by party factions or menaced and insulted by an armed rabble

They are willing to maintain order and disarm unruly elements.

Though the past week in Germany has been calmer, yet the gneral situation is ominous. The present comparative tranquility arises from fatigue. The elections show that the extremists have failed to secure substantial support of the masses of the people. Thus the movement for an early National Assembly gains force. It is not likely that the re-assembly of the Eeichstag will improve matters owing to its association with the old I regime and bceause it is based on an antiquated franchise system. The Government is doing the most it possibly can to convoke the Assembly but lacks firmness in handling the economic situation.