AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

ANTI-BRITISH PROPAGANDA. PAN-GERMANS ACQUIRE NEWSPAPERS. Received Feb. 23, 5.20 p.m. Berne, Feb. 22. The Pan-German party has subscribed three million marks and purchased the Berliner Neuste Naehrichten and Deutsche Zeilung, wherein an antiBritish agitation is to be conducted by Professor Schaefer and Mr. Houston Stewart Chamberlain. The German press is overjoyed at a born Englishman having been accepted to lead an anti-British propaganda. i. ~ , ■/ THE LAMB-LIKE GERMANY. COUNT TISZA'S PICTURE. Received Feb 23, 11.35 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 23. Count Tisza, in the House of Deputies at 'Budapest, vigorously defended the German policy, which since IS7I had been one of peaceful and cultured expansion, and had threatened no na. tion's vital interests. He accused France and Russia of constant intriguing, contending that it was most natural that Germany should strive to pursue her colonial policy. If the war was concluded as the enemies imagine it will- be no agreement could assure lasting peace. He justified submarining. ' GERMANS SEIZE BELGIAN DUCHESS' ESTATES. Received Feb. 23, 5.30 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. The German Government lias seized the Moravian estates of the Duchess of Vendome, King Albert's sister. The Kaiser sanctioned the seizure. GERMANY'S WEAPON. Renter Service Received Feb. 23, 0.30 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 23. The Reichstag has opened. The President said that Germany and her allies were taking, refuge in a weapon which would be employed unrestrictedly till their defence, their independence and their freedom was attained. PJiISONfcRS EMPLOYED ON AGRICULTURE. Received Feb. 23, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. Hen- Groeben informed the Reichstag that three quarters of a million prisoners of war were employed as farm laborers, and their number would be_ increased. The garrisons in the occupied territories would be employed on farms. DECREASED MORALE OF GERMAN TROOPS, Reuter Service. London, Feb. 22. A correspondent at headquarters sends a copy of Hindenburg's order regarding captured Germans. It states that the operations at Verdun from October to December showed serious and regrettable reverses. The incapable officers must be ruthlessly removed. The number of prisoners was unusually large for German troops, and some evidently surrendered without 'offering serious resistance and without suffering serious losses. This Bhowed that the morale of some of the troops was low. The reasons must be most carefully investigated. The old spirit of German influence must be revived by training and tha strictest drill. ■Ho added: "This matter is of vital importance." TERRIBLE, IF TRUE. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. A Norwegian, who was returned from Germany, relates an extraordinary story S>f the explosion of enormous munition works at Dresden, which has hitherto been suppressed. He say 3it occurred on December 28, and 30,000 workers, including 2000 soldiers and several thousand civilians, were killed. The Kaiser visited the scene on the following day. THE POPE AND PEACE.^ Rotterdam, Feb. 22. The Tyd states that the Pope replied to the address of the Hungarian Episcopate that he considers the time has tome to renew attempts to stop the war and bring peace. MORE GERMAN INHUMANITY. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. According to the Neuville Smaestrecht, the Prussians fought with firearms at Beverloo Camp, near Hasselt. Thirtytwo were killed and 200 wounded. CRUELTIES TO GERMAN DEPORTEES Amsterdam, Feb. 22. Many deported Belgians have returned owing to illness. Some have developed tuberculosis, and these hitherto strong men. They complain that they were nearly starved. They had bread once weekly, and a mixture of vegetables, which was often rotten, daily. They describe their stay in Germany as being in hell. ■