AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE REICHSTAG MEETING. CHANCELLOR'S STATEMENT. PEACE RESOLUTION CARRIED. Amsterdam, July 20. The Reichstag was crowded and Dr. Miciiaelis received an ovation. He said that the submarines were doing all that 'was expected, though the hasty predictions that they would end the war at a certain date had created disappointment. Germany did not want any violent increase in power. If she could obtain an honorable peace she would not continue the war a day longer. She would not negotiate while the enemy demanded portions of her territory and must obtain guarantees concerning her Continental and overseas interests, also her economic freedom.

The Government, supported by tne people and army leaders, had decided that if the enemy abandoned his plans of conquest and honestly wished to negotiate for peace they ■would hear what he had to say. The last months had been hard for Germany in the matter of food, but he was hopeful of an improvement. Referring to internal policy it would be ba*ed on the Kaiser's declaration of July 11. Herr Scheidemann declared against the submarine policy which had done more harm than good. He expressed dissatisfaction at the vagueness of the references to internal reform and demanded iHerr Liebknecht's release.

The peace resolution was carried by 224 to 11-6.

MICHAELIS' SPEECH CRITICISED. HINT OF POSSIBLE MEDIATION. Received July 22, 5.8 p.m. Amsterdam, July 21. Reports from Berlin state that Dr. Michaelis' speech created an unsatisfactory impression. He pleased neither side. The House passed a resolution although Michaelis did not approve. It is regarded as a sign of want of confidence, and was evoked by the over-diplo-matic speech, and Michaelis' announcement that he favored peace by conciliation. It is believed this was a hint of possible neutral mediation.

A DESERTER'S STORY. KAISER STATED TO HAVE BEEN BOMBED. Received July 22, 5.8 p.m. Zurich, July 21. A frontier paper, the Echo von Rhein. fall, reports that according to a German deserter's story a soldier threw a bomb at the Kaiser's motor in June, the chauffur and an adjutant being killed. Some say that the Kaiser escaped, while others report that he was injured. It is Noteworthy that he did not attend the recent political conference, the Crown Prince being his representative. RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN 'BELITTLED. Reuter Service. Amsterdam, July 20.

In the Reichstag, M. Michaelis, referring to the Russian offensive, said: "General Brugiloff » goal is Lemberg and the oil wells near Draholiycz, in order to impair our submarine war. Half an hour ago I received the following message from Marshal von Hindenburg: 'Provoked by Russian offensive in GaKcia, a strong attack was inaugurated there to-day by. and under the personal leadership of, Prince Leopold of Bavaria, resulting in the Austro-Ger-mans breaking through the Russian positions near Zlapzow.' General Brusiloff's gains are therefore equalised."

A VOTE OF 750 MILLIONS. Received July 22, 6.8 p.m. Amsterdam, July 21. The Reichstag, without discussion, read a third time the Bill for a war credit of £750,000,000. The minority Socialists alone voting against it. A TYiPTCAL OFFICIAL REPORT. Auß. and N. 55. Cable Assoc, and Renter. ■Received July 22, ,15 p.m. London, July 21. A wireless German official report states: Artillery ing in 'Flanders wtas extremely violent. The enemy advances at Lombartzyde, t.iitward of Messines, Gavrelle, and Monchy failed. The French thrice fruitlessly attacked south-west of St. Quentin. We captured part of the French positions north-west of Craonne, but heavy nocturnal counter-attacks forced us to abandon some of the trenches. We advanced between the Sereth and Zlota Lipa, through three strong zones of defence, and the enemy, who suffered sanguinarily, retreated in disorder. We took a few thousand prisoners. Increased artillerying has token place at Attacctstadt, Dunaiberg, Smorgon, the Stokhod, and between the Zloia Lipa and Dneister. Wo repulsed the Russians near Novica.

ANOTHER OFFICIAL REPORT. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received July 22, 11.53 p.m. London, July 21. Wireless German Official: The artillerying in Flanders, which, only temporarily decreased in violence, has now increased. At the La Bassee canal, Lens and the Scarpe Strang enemy reconnoitring advances were unsuccessful. Pursuing the Russians, we crossed the Hoc-zow-Tarnopol road on both sides of the Jezierna for a width of forty kilometres. The Russians are burning villages and causing great destruction. Further fighting is expected. The AustroHungarians recaptured the positions .northward of Brsezany that were lost on July 1. Russian attacks on the Dneister broke down. Wc drove out the enemy at BadU, and stormed high positions at Novica, where artillerying has increased.