AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

A "REPLY" TO LLOYD GEORGE THE CHANCELLOR'S WEAKNESS. Reuter Service. Copenhagen, July 29. Dr. Michaelis summoned a party of journalists to Berlin in order to reply .to Mr. Lloy<l George. He declared at that event that Britain did not want peace by agreement and was resolved on Germany's enslavement.

He asserted that the reports of eyewitnesses nt the secret sitting of tho French Chamber on June 1 and 2 showed that M.M. Briand and Ribot were forced to confess that shortly before the Russian revolution France negotiated with the Czar's Government an agreement providing for the French annexation of the Saar basin as well a3 Alsace-Lorraine and other va«t territorial changes on the left bank of the Rhino and the French annexation in Svria. ■ P

M. Briand declared that .whatever tho opinion of the Russian masses, Russia was bound to carry out the treaty. Dr. Mkhaelis challenged the French Ministers to deny this, and declared that all this was done 'with Britain's approval. A ©YSENTERY EPIDEMIC. Zurich, July 29. Gernrn newspapers report a grave epidemic of dysentery in the big cities, with many deaths, mostly of children and old people, owing to the poor quality of tho bread. AGREEMENT REGARDING PEACE. Copenhagen, July 29.

Count Czernin, interviewed in Vienna, claimed that complete agreement had beer, reached between Berlin and Vienna regarding peace, which must bo honorable. "The Entente." he said, "can never crush us. We, if united, can crush them. The war will end m a peaco by understanding, hence further sacrifices are useless. All States must unite to make Impossible a future world war." FAMINE IN TRIESTE. London, July 29. It is reported from Zurich that there is a complete famine in Istria, where the privations of the last two years have reached a climax, and the inhabitants have been reduced to eating grass. There 'nave been many deaths owing to starvation. A portion of the populace has been permitted to make a pilgrimage to the province of Carniola for the purpose of begging food. The Auitrians stamped their passports "Authorised beggars from Istria." Tho Austrian Catholic organ Die Reichspost states that ou the third anniversary of the war the i'ope will issue a new peace proposal. THE CENTKE LEADER'S GUILE.

London, July 29. The Zurich correspondent oi the Daily Chronicle saya that Hew Erzeberger, leader of the Centre Party in the Germau Reichstag, has arrived. In an interview .with the pro-G«rman Catholic Nachiichten. of Zurich, he denied that Dr. Michaelus was a war Chancellor; h(' stated that the Reichstag regarded Dr. Michaelis' mission as peaceful, and his appointment would strengthen the Reichstag peace resolution. Herr Erzberger said that every effort must be made to avoid a winter campaign. He tanked God that there was still a chance for 8 'basis of understanding with En-land on which a general Listing peace must rest. Ho concluded: "If we could meet Messrs Llovd Georgo and Balfour it is probablo tliat in a few hours' conversation sufficient (progress would be made to enable official negotiations to begin."