AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

EVENTS MOVE RAPIDLY. CHANGES IN CABINET, "GERMANY MUST FIGHT AND CONQUER." Times Service, Received July 11, 11.40 p.m. Amsterdam, July 11. Events in Germany are moving rapidly. It has been decided to grant substantial democratic concessions in Prussia. Liberal Ministers ars replacing live Conservatives in the Prussian Cabinet. Herr Hollweg remains Chancellor, but Dr. Helfferich and Herr von Zimmermann are resigning, the former'because of his food policy, and the latter because of the failure of the foreign policy, the Mexican incident and America's intervention. Herr Hollweg's eiemies attack him for sacrificing hia pan-Grerman colleagues and saving his own skin. The majority of the leaders drafted a formula of unity. It is understood that it declares that Germany is waging

a merely defensive war, Amsterdam, July 11. According to the German press reports, Herr Hollweg, at a meeting of the Grand Committee of the Reichstag, declared: "We must continue the war with all our energy. I am sure \v» can win if we hold out." He considered it necessary to remain at hia post in pider to protect the Fatherland from injury. Germany could not declare her terms of peace. She mußt fight and conquei. He concluded by strongly attacking Herr Erzeberger for his unpatriotic attitude.

THE ERZBERGER MOVEMENT. ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT OBSOLETE. Received July 11, 8.30 ip.m. Amsterdam, July 10. Two hundred and fifty-three deputies support Herr Erzeherger. The only doubtful point is how far the conclusion of peace is bound ujp with the democratisation of Germany Another contribution to the campaign against Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg is Prince Lichnowsky, ex-Amibassador to London, who in an article declares that the system of one-man goverwnent is obsolete, and demands a constitutional Parliamentary Government, despite the resistance of the Junkers and Conservatives, otherwise the country will go to pieces. He declares that the Kaiser is far more constitutional than supposed. He never intervened personally in public affairs, apart from a few impulsive telegrams.

SITUATION DESPERATE. HUNGER STAIiKING THROUGH AUSTRIA. Times Service. T Received July 11, 8 p.m. Zurich, July 10. In the debate in the Reichsrath, deputies from all parts of Austro-Hung&ry declared that the situation of the mass of the population was rapidly becomin* desperate. Galicia, the granary of Austria, was completely bare, and other districts were famine-stricken. A German Socialist deputy asid that the wrath of the lower classes could not ibe kept down by bayonets. Amsterdam, July 10. A German Socialist deputy said that purchasing South German Liberal newspapers and endeavoring to destroy the Erzeberger movement.

RENEWAL OF DISORDERS. ANXIETY CAUSED. Received July 12, 1.46 a.m. London, July 11. German telegrams show that the renewal of the disorders in the industrial centres is causing great anxiety in official circles. The working classes are indignant at the distribution of the food stock, and particularly at the reports of the •wealthy Ivrai'-l .-; d. The riots in the great Rhineland industrial towns have been unusually serious.

AN ANTI JUNKER BLOC. HOLLWEG MUST GO. Amsterdam, July 10. The opponents of Herr von BefchrnannHollweg, representing all the bourgeois elements, have set to work to form a great bloc against the Junkers. The combination now includes tho 'Socialists, Liberals, National Liberals, and Centre, though a section of the National Liberals, it is understood, still desire some annexations. The Conservative Junkers continue to ridicule the idea of introducing political reforms while all the energies of the nation must be directed to establishing the liegoinony of the Prussian sword in Europe. (Peace proposals and internal reforms will be discussed in the Reichstag today, when the Chancellor will again speak. Herr Erzeberger represents the South German coalition, and voices the agreement made between Austria, Bavaria, and Wurteiniberg.

As the result of the bloc Herr yon BeUiinarin-llolhveg is without effective political support, and few nawspapera are assisting him. The general opinion in Germany is that Herr von BethmanaHollweg must go. Prince ©alow is a possible sucseesor, and others suggested are the Bavarian Count Hertling and Count Roldehn. The Kaiser, however, may prefer Hindeuburg as Chancellor, particularly as Ludendorffl is Germany's real military genius. . It is understood that the Kaiser has not yet abandoned the hope of saving Herr von. Bethmann-Holhveg, tilting him to contend against the ibloc. There is growing difficulty in getti\" detailed new : fr.Ort as the ceu-

sor is stopping telegrams. It is understood tliat Herr Erzeiberger's attitude is the result of a long audience with the Emperor Carl in Vienna last week. A]most the whole German Centre Party is strongly supporting' 'Herr Erzeberger, only Dr. Spahn, chairman of the party, disagreeing. The Kaiser presided at the first Crown Council since the war. The Prussian Federal Minister was present and reported that the Kaiser had accepted the resignations of Herr T-lelfferichs, Finance Minister, and Herr Zimmerman, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Telegrams from Berlin indicate that Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, in a speech in the Reichstags said that Germany; could not declare her peace terms. New York, July 11. Dispatches received here quote the report in the Taglisehe Rundschau of the speech of Herr von Bethmann-Holhveg .at the secret meeting of the Reichstag committee on Monday. The Chancellor said that the .policy of no annexations and no indemnities was dangerous and impossible. Germany must fight to the last gasp.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Received July 11, 5.30 p.m. London, July 10. A wireless Geman official report staMs: There is an artillery duel of the utmost intensity from the coast to the Ypres sector, also eastward of Wytschaete. We repulsed English thrusts south-west of Hollebeke and a reconnoitring engagement north-east of Messines, near Lens and Fresnoy. Northwest of St. Quentin the fighting activity has increased. Near Riga, Dvinsk, and.Smorgon the Russi&ns are inactive. Between the Stryp* aad Daeister the fighting northwest of Stanislau resulted in our withdrawal bohind the Lukowic* stream. The enemy in June lost 220 aeroplanes and 33 captive balloons. tWe lost OS aeroplanes and 3 'balloons.