AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. Amsterdam, July 17. The situation in Germany is described. a 8 a sort of political civil war with too many leaders, in which the fighters do not know who is friend or enemy. Ordinary party divisions are no longer clearly defined. Whilst a majority is united in "no annexations or indemnity" and the immediate introduction of the parliamentary system, no other party is in full agreement with them. On both questions the National Liberals are hopelessly divided. London, July 17. It is learned from Holland that the German political crisis culminated after Herr von Bcthmann-Hollweg had proposed" the constitution of a body consisting of members of the Reichstag to act as an intermediary between the I Reichstag and the Government. Bavaria, though not concerned politically, frowned on the scheme. The Kaiser, Crown Prince, Hindenburg and Ludewlorff opposed ths policy of non-annexj»ttion, but Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg insisted on it. Bavaria and Austria persisted in their demands, therefore the Chancellor resigned.

THE GERMAN CHANCELLORSHIP. Received July 18, 6 p.m. Zurich, July 17. The Neue Zuriclier Zeitung's Berlin correspondent states that the Kaiser first offered the Chancellorship to the Bavarian Premier, Herr Hertling, who declined, for personal reasons. MCKAELIS' POLICY. United Press. Received July 18, 5.5 .p.m. New York, July 17. The Btrlin correspondent of the United Press learns from the highest authorities that Dr. "Michaelis' programme is "a strong policy without, and unity within." NEW CHANCELLOR'S MISSION. Rotterdam. July 17. Dr. Michaelis, interviewed, said:—"My mission is to restore and develop German unity inwardly and outwardly." This is interpreted to mean that Dr. Michaelis will keep the nation under expectant restraint, while the militarists engage in another desperate final gamble on one or other of the fronts. Rome, July 17. Newspapers, commenting on the German crisis!, iconsidor that the, ipealce question romain9 unchanged. WHAT THE CHANCE MEANS. London, July 17. The Reichstag majority's resolution in favor of a peace 'with no annexations nor indemnities is looked on as merely a little salt for the tail of the revolutionary bird in Russia and elsewhere. The change from Hollweg to Michaelis is regarded as a Pan-German victory. THE CROWN PRINCE'S STAR. Nsw- Yorlc, July 17. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times has had access to semiofficial documents indicating that the Crown Prince has gained ascendancy and is curtailing the prestige of the Kaiser, which presages the Emperor's ultimate retirement. The yippoiintment of Dr. MHchaelis was dictated iby the Crown Prince, Hindenburg and Ludendorff, and while they hold power Austria's strong desire for peace need not be taken into account. General Falkenhayn commands the Austrians on the Italian front. A semi-official dispaich from Rome atatea that Italy will not enter into negotiations with the reorganised German Government. ;

SPURIOUS SOCIALISM.

London, July 17. The Morning Post correspondent states that German Socialists before the war frankly 'told Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald and other comrades that the German army was a popular institution and that, in the event of war, they would be Germans first and socialists afterwards. RECOVERY OF LOST SHIPPING POSITION. London, July 17. An important project to recover Germany's lost shipping position after the war has been launched in the Reichstag in a measure providing to rebuild over two million tons of the merchantmen destroyed 'by the Allies. The German Government does not lend but finds the money for shipbuilders for this purpose, also making the fuiul available for the upkeep of the intended vessels. The Government and the Bremen and Hamburg shipping magnates have been conferring for months on this scheme, which aims a£ restoring in nine years, Germany's pre-war strength in merchantmen of five million tons. It is stated the enemy has destroyed or seized more than two million tons. Thcrel are also blockaded in neutral waters a million tons and war-ibound in German harbors two million tons. CONSTITUENTS OF WAR BREAD. Zurich, July 17. Five Minority Socialists in the Reichstag are asking Dr. Michaelis, the new Chancellor, whether he is aware that the analysis of bread in various parts of Germany shows that it is composed of 24 per cent, of flour, 21 per cent, of lupins, 17 per cent, chestnuts, 14 per cent, acorns, 12 per cent, tree bark, 0 per cent, wood shavings, 4 per cent, potato ipeel, and 2 per cent, miscellaneous indefinable mixtures.

'AN OFFICIAL REBOOT. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Heuter. Received July 18, 6 p.m. London, J'uly 17. A Tireless German official report states: We repulsed an English attack at Lomfoartzyde. English reconnoitring advances at Messines, Hulluch, Gavrelle, and Bullecourt, northward of St. Ruentin failed. We captured a further piece of French trench at Counteoon. Enemy attacks between Malval farm and Cerny, southward of Bois sous lains, failed. We drove out the French who remained in our old positions at Poehlmont. We also downed five aeroplanes and four balloons. There was lively fighting at Kig>, Dunaburg, Smorgon, and the woodlands north of Kaluaz. The Russians evacuated the town and retreated to tbo Mutt* took of tha Lomnisa*

SOOTHING THE AUSTRIAN 1 1 NATIONALISTS. | R'euier Service Received July 18, 6.40 p.m. Amsterdam, July 17. A Vienna message* states that tho Premier, in addressing the Constitution Committee, promised that the problem of giving equal rights' to all Austrian nationalities would ,be solved by constitutional methods. Another mcsage states that Herr von Bethmaim-llollweg's resignation is generally regretted in Austria. Tho Tageblatt states that it was solely owing to their conviction that Hollweg was ready for peace that the German annexationists did not disturb the Austro-German relations. ABLER TO HAVE A CIVIL TRIAL, Received July 08, 11.25 p.m. Copenhagen, July 18. The Austrian Parliament 'has pardoned Dr. Adler to the extent of giving liim a civil trial, involving -probably a short ierni of imprisonment. PEAOE DEBATES RAGING. Received July 18, 11.23 p.m. London, July 18. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says that peace debates are raging throughout Austria-Hungary. Baron (Beck, speaking in the Chamber, said that all Hungary desires peace. Ilerr Karoloye said: "We are prepared for peace without annexation, and that will be Germany's aim if she adopts Parliamentary Government."