AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

SERIOUS RIOTINGS. | MILITARY CALLED OUT Amsterdam, April 8 There was serious rioting at Dusseldorf on Monday. The military wore called out, but many soldiers refused to fire upon the people. Tliose refusing were shot by their ollieers. Two hundred soldiers and civilians were killed ? z ELECTORAL REFORMS. FRANCHISE TO BE DEMOCRATISED. Received April 9, 7 p.m. London, April S. The Kaiser has instructed the Chancellor (Herr von Bethmanu-Hollweg) to dra.ft a franchise and reforms for Prussia, including. a secret election of the Diet and democratising the Upper House. Amsterdam, April 8. The German papers publish the Kaiser's letter instructing the Chancellor to draw \ip proposals for the reform of the Prussian Diet. The Kaiser admits that the people's war sacrifices necessitate the abolition of the unequal suffrage. Received April 9, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, April S. The Kaiser's letter pays a tribute to the nation's unity and war sacrifices at liome and on the field. They had broken down the social barriers and opened a new era. He commands Herr BethmannHollweg to immediately prepare definite plans enabling the whole people to cooperate in the political life and to be adopted without delay when the soldiers return, which, he. confidently hopes, will not be far distant. The measures must include a direct secret election of deputies. The Kaiser is convinced that tlw Prussian Upper House must be more representative of all classes, including the trading interests. BLOW AT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE [VALUE OF KRONER FALLEN BY HALF. London, April 9. The Daily Mail states that; the internal condition of Austria-Hungary is illuminated by the trial of Doctor ICranz for corruption and peculation of army stores. He was heavily fined. The blow at public confidence has been increased by the arrest of five Pragne bankers on a charge of treason. Prince Odeecalchi committed syicide owing to imminent charges of corruption. The value of the kronei has fallen by half. A SOP TO CEREBU? .PLACATING PUBLIC OPINION. Received April 10, 1 a.m. London, April 9. Newspapers, comment that the Kaiser's manifesto is a sop to the Socialistic Cerebus, following the Russian revolution and the necessity for placating public opinion in view of the new loan, which they declare cannot be taken seriously. NO MORE PEACE PROPOSALS. UNTIL ALLIES ADillT THEY ARE BEATEN. April 9, 9.5 p.m M Rome, April 8 A semi-official Note declares that Germany will not make further peace proposals until her enemies admit they are vanquished. v - - GERMANS RECALLED FROM PALESTINE AND SYRIA. Berne, April 8. Germany, fearing the attitude of the natives, has instructed all Germans in Palestine and Syria to proceed to Germany. EXPLOSION AT ESSEN. Amsterdam, April 8. By an explosion of shells at Essen thirty-eight, were seriously injured. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT London, April 8. Wireless, German Official: —We repulsed strong reconnoitring detachments in hand-to-hand fighting south-east of Ypres. There was lively artillerying against St. Quentin. Several hits damaged tlie cathedral The fresh French attack near Laffaux broke down with heavy losses. We destroyed yesterday 13 enemy aeroplanes. Our fire on the east bank of tie Vardar averted an English attack. The enemies lost in March on all fronts 101 aeroplanes and 19 balloons, of which aerial attacks destroyed 143 and 19 respectively. We lost 45 aeroplanes.