AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

WHAT IS HAPPENING.

A RUMORED SURPRISE.

Received Oct. 7, 6.5 p.m. New York, Oct. C. The New York Times' Amsterdam correspondent says there are persistent rumors in Berlin and Vienna that the near future holds a surprise, and that something i 8 happening behind the scenes.

PRUSSIAN HOUSE OF LORDS. ALLOCATION OF SEATS. Received Oct. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 8. The German Government's proposed reform of the Prussian House of Lords makes the following allocation of seats, which is astounding, in view of the previous announcement that the Government is willing to democratise parliamentary institutions:—Agricultural 43, commerce and industry '4B, trade 12, labor 24, education 10, clergy 17, municipalities 3(1, rural emmittees 36, landowners 2*. burgomasters of large towns 20. The Kaiser, a,* King of Prussia, nominates a further 120, whereof 24 will bo I princes and members of reigning houses. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Oct. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. '6. A wireless German official report states; There has been artillerying and increased drumfire 'between Poelcapelle and Gheluvelt. The French attack northeast of Rheims failed. The Bulgarians repulsed the English eastward of Lake Doiran. TRADE WITH NEUTRALS. New York, Oct. 5. It is reported that Germany is retaliating on The Allies' embargo, and h,as offered neutrals grain, presumably from Russia and Roumania. ON THE SEA. SUCCESSFUL ANTI-U-BOAT MEASURES. London, Oct. 5. The naval authorities state that the sinkings of U-boats during the past quarter have been greater than in any previous quarter. RUSSIA. DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE. FAVORS GENERAL PEACE. Au3. and N.Z. Cable Aesoc. and. Reuter. Received Oct. 6, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, Oct. 5. The Democratic Conference, by 83S votes to 104, resolved to instruct the executive to constitute a strong revolutionary authority which shall actively work for general peace. PROBABILITY OF CIVIL WAR.

Petrograd, Oct 5. M. Trodricy, a Maximalist, in a speech at the conference, 3aid civil war was unavoidable. His only doubt was whether it would take organised form or develop into street fighting. He promised, on, behalf of his party, that they would never forcibly seize power, but declared ;that tbe masses might arise if the de- | mands were rejected. The speech created a sensation. The Cadets interrupted it, while the Sovites enthusiastically applauded it. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. London, Oct. 5. A wireless Russian official message states:—"Our artillery stopped enemy attacks in dense waves southward of Radatitz. The Bulgarians occupied several trenches in the Buzeo region. We counter-attacked and restored the positions. UNITED STATES. A HUGE AEROPLANE CONTRACT. WOOL FROM AUSTRALIA. Washington, Oct. 5. The War Department has contracted for the construction of 20,000 aeroplanes in accordance with the provisions of the 640 million dollars Aviation Bill. Aviators arc training in 24 centres. Mr Baker, Secretary for War, made a statement that the Allies are asking for the Liberty motor, and intend to introduce internntionij' "tnndardisation of aeroplanes and supplies. The State Department announces that it has prohibited export of bunker coal in order to prevent supplies to Germany and northern neutral nations. The Shipping Board states that it is .anxious to secure ships to transport 30,000 bales of wool from Australia which F.ngland has agreed to release to the United States for use. BALKANS. BULGARIA AND SERBIA.

New York, Oct. 5. Professor Yovanovitch, a Serbian, declares that Serbia offered to Bulgaria, while the latter remained neutral, practically all Serbian Macedonia, including Monastir, but Bi'lt-'ii simply refused to insider the overture*.