SOCIAL DEMOCRATS POWERLESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1916, Page 5

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS POWERLESS.

•MILITARY MACHINE TOO STRONG Times Service, Received Oct. 23, 5.5 p.m."

London, Oct. 22 •Mr. Curtin writes tlnit lie is convinced Ilerr l.icbknecht does not represent the Social Democratic Party, which is prowar. Even if they were doubly numerous their votes would. lie worthless against the power of the Kaiser's tool, 11 err von Bethmann-Ilollweg, backed bv the Fe:ie:al Council and the military machine which, though damaged, is still and mightiest in the world. The Social Democrats would never have power to end tlie war. ■ • ,

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN FORCES,

ABOUT THREE MILLION'S AVAILABLE. Rome, October 22. A semi-ofiicial statement says that Austro-Hungary has already called 'up her man-powci to a greater degree than any other country. The General Stafl, up to April, had summoned 7,400,000, and about 1,000,©30 are now probably available, including 300,000 still train-

With approximate accuracy an estimate way be formed by studying the numbers of the march formations, or the units formed to replace losses and incorporated in combatant units since the beginning of the war. Hitherto there have been 23 march formations, each averaging '215,000 aibsarbed, hence nearly 5,000,000 have been necessary to maintain the lighting units up to the strength of 5.U00.000. About G\ID,O'QO represent soldiers recovered from wounds, etc., who have returned to duty, while the remaining 4,400,000 represent losses—prisoners, killed, wounded, missing, invalids and convalescents, only a small part of whom will be able to return to the firing line. Austria-Hungary can only now use to make good the losses the small leavings of repeated medical revisions, and have recourse to youths of 17 or men above 51. The majority of the latter up to 55 are already in the auxiliary service.

PEACE MEETINGS.

AUTHORITIES NOT INTERFERING. Zurich, October 2?. Tim Wurt Bergisclie Zeitung states that Count Burian, Prime Minister of Austria-Hungary, and ITerr von Beth-mann-Holiweg met at the German headquarters to discuss tlie best means of producing n speedy peace. 'Numerous peace meetings are being held unhindered throughout the Central Empire?.

AUSTRIA RULED BY HUNGARY

CONSTITUTION SUSPENDED. SITUATION GRAVE IN VIEJiNA; London, October 22. ■J'lie newspapers point out that the Austrian Lower House has been closed since the eve of the war. The various parties have been clamoring for its reopening, but Count Stuergkhs lias been obdurate, pleading the necessity of secrecy and of leaving the national affairs to the Ministers of the Crown. The virtual non-existence of the Austrian Parliament has placed the Empire under the rule of Hungary. Count Stuergkhs is completely overshadowed by Count Tisza, the latter throughout speaking without constitutional warrant in the name of the whole Empire. It is significant that the Hungarian Opposition have been demanding the re-opening of the Austrian' Hous? of Deputies. The position is critical, because in 1017 the famous Ausgleich, or compact between the two countries, must be renewed or | terminate.

Austrian antagonism to the German oveiiordship ia daily growing, but Count Stuergkhs' maintenance of a drastic censorship muzzled both press and public. The Messageros, of Rome, states that a message from Zurich says the situation is grave in Vienna and martial law has been proclaimed. The shooting of Count Stuergkhs is regarded in Rome as a sign of Austria's disintegration. It is thought it may have an important effect on the continuation of the war.

SUCCESSES CLAIMED Received Oct. 23, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct, 23. A German communique states: Intense (ire heralded the English attacks, which extended from Courcelette to both sides of Gueudecourt. The enemy gained ground at Grandcourt. We again defeated the Russians oetwceji .Sivistelinki and Komerochynini. We defeated the Roumanians at many points and drove out the Russo-Rou-inanians on the whole front of the Dubrudja. AVe captured positions at Topraisar, Cobardine and Cerna.

"THE WAR IS SHEEB HELL." London, October 22. A German corporal's diary, captured at the Sonime, vividly describes the terror caused by British airmen, jointly with the artillery. Others write dejectedly, declaring that the war is sheer hell, and that there is no further object in fighting.

CANADA

THE ORANGE AND GREEN . London, October 81. There is considerable interest taken in England over the information that Canada lias formed a battalion of Catholic and Protestant Irishmen, equal in number, officered similarly, ami with Catholic and Protestant chaplains. It is officially known as the Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish and Canadian Rangers, but unofficially as the Dublin Orange and Green (Battalion.