AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE NAVAL REVOLT,

MORE SERIOUS THAN ANNOUNCED.

ITS HISTORY OUTLINED.

SAILORS' COUNCILS FORMED.

PROMPT AND DRASTIC MEASURES. Washington, Oct. 12. It is believed that the mutinv in the German navy was more serious than announced, and indicates a moral cracking under the strain of the U-boat failure and the non-realisation of Admiral von Tirpitz's boast. The Kaiser will now hesitate to send out the fleet. His recent grandiloquent praises of the naval men will seem ironical. Some oflicials believe that Admiral van Capelle's reference to Russian revolutionaries is an intimation that President Wilson has driven a wedge distinguishing between Kaiserism and the German people.

New York, Oct. 12. The Yolks Zeitung, which was recently deprived of mailing privileges, joyfully hails the mutiny as the'first gleammgs of an approaching dawn uplifting the international sky. It predicts iur° ther more important revolts. The New York Times and Sun warn) the public against attaching umtse Importance to the German mutinv. The movement, must be well under eontroL otherwise the censors would not have permitted word to go out. The, Tribune opines that the time is not ripe for a proletarian revolt in Germany. Received Oct. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 13. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that the German fleet trouble began when the crews ©f several vessels showed a nervous tension traceable to the reservists. The agitation started aboard the Westfalen and spread to other vessels. One of the Westialen's crew refused to obey an order and was arrested. A deputation demanded his release, and declared that several of the nattlcships' crews had formed Sailors' Councils on tiie lines of the Russian Soldiers' and Workmen's Councils. The men refused to obey the captain, locked him up and took possession of the ship. A strong military force came cboard and the mutineers surrendered. An investigation showed that 200 sailors were involved, and thirty were sentenced to death, but only three were executed. The latter revealed the secrets of the plot, whereof Admiral von Capelle onlv revealed tbe unimportant details. A similar incident occurred on another bat.tl.'-hip at sea. The sailors seized the ship, but were prevented from making for a neutral port. The accompanying warships threatened to fire unless' she returned with them. Two of the men ■concerned were shot. Prompt action was taken by the other ships. Several battlelips lay at Wilhelmshaven without crews.

ADMIRAL CAPELLE RESIGNS. Wireless, Per Admiralty Press. Received Oct. 1,1, 5.15 p.m. Amsterdam, Oct. 13 Admiral von Capelle has resigned. CRISIS IN FULL BLAST. CHANCELLOR'S RESIGNATION DEMANDED. CAPELLE A SCAPEFOAT, Australian Cable Association. Received Oct. 14, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam. Oct. 1". The German crisis continues in full blast. Newspapers arc demanding the resignation of Dr. Michael is. Admiral von Capelle lias apparently been offered as a scapegoat. II is announced that he gave in the Reichstag many more details of the mutiny than Dr. Miehaelis intended or approved. Liberal and Socialist newspapers, however, are not satisfied with Von Capelle's resignation,' and reiterate that Dr. Miehaelis must go.

SHIRKING SUBMARINE DUTY. MEN SHOT FOR REFUSING. Reuter Service. Received Oct. 14. 5.5 p.m. i?. London, Oct. ]?.. It is learned on reliable authority that there is a strong and growing disinclination on the part of German seamen to serve in submarines. Several Germans were recently shot tor refusing service The shootings wert quite apart from tuc mutiny at Wilhelmshaven, and occurred prior thereto. STRAFING BRITAIN WHAT THE HUNS WOULD DO. Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. Reuter Service. Amsterdam, Oct. V2. General von Hindenbnrg, replying to the German National Chamber of Commerce, said:—"We are England's envy. She is endeavoring to close the door of international commerce. She shall feel the sharpness of the sword until she perishes."

Admiral Sclieer, replying to the Stenclal Peace Committee, said:— "Your confidence inspires the V boat men. We will ensure that the British shall never again dare to pick a quarrel with us." Herr von Hertling, speaking in the Bavarian Diet, said: ''The British are hard-hearted 'and calculating business men, but they are also beginning to : doubt whether the war is a paying business."