AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

HALF A MILLION STRIKERS. IN BERLIN AXD KIEL. New York, Jan. 30. J'here are half a. million strikers in Berlin and the Kiel shipyards. Tlie Wcstphaliar. mines are idle. THE STRIKES SPREADING. THE AUTHORITIES POWERLESS TO STEM THEM. London, .Tan. .10. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Daily Express states that the strike? are spreading to the munition factories throughout Germany. There are grave disturbances at various centres, particularly in the big concerns working exclusively for the Government. At least fortv factories are idle. The authorities have issued a strong warning, but they are powerless to stem the rapid spread of the strike. New York, Jan. 39. The State Department has received official confirmation that there are more than 00,000 strikers in Berlin. THE STRIKERS' DEMANDS. 750,000 MEN OUT IN BERLIN. BOLSHEVIKS' PAMPHLETS BEING DISTRIBUTED. Received Jan. 31, 8.15 p.m. London, Jan. 30. A Berlin message states that the strikers' demands include peace without annexations and indemnities, the abolition of militarism, the control of war factories,, and the restoration of the right of public meeting. It is estimated there are 750,000 strikers in Berlin. Strikes are rapidly 'becoming general in other centres. Herren Haase, Laubour, Scheidemann, Ebert, and other prominent Socialists have joined the newly-formed Workmen's Council. The Secretary of the Interior refused to receive the Council's deputation. Bolshevik pamphlets are being distributed in Berlin factories, declaring that since the Russian revolutionaries triumphed at Brest Litovsk the German workers must secure a revolutionary triumph in Germany. MACHINE GUNS AGAINST IHE STRIKERS. POLICE BRUTALLY DISPERSE DEMONSTRATORS. Received Jan. 31, 10.30 p.m. Copenhagen* Jan. SO. Th» German Government has authorised the use of machine-guns against the strikers, if neoessary. The police brutally dispersed demonstrators in Hamburg. The strike at Krupp's is admitted in the semi-official report, which asserts it is unimportant. SOCIALISTS ACTIVE. URGING WORKERS TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT. Zurich, Jan. 30. Count Hertling conferred with the military commandant in Berlin, and. in view of the strikes, decided to confine the troops to barracks, but the officers were instructed to act with discretion. The Independent Socialists are issuing pamphlets broadcast urging a general strike, and even inciting the workers to overthrow the Government, destroy the bourgeoisie, and proclaim a republic. Copenhagen, Jan. 30. The Berlin strike leadere have elected a committee of nine to negotiate with the Government. Their demands include peace, equal suffrage, sew arrangements for food supplies, and the release of the arrested leaders, especially Liebknecht. DESTROYED BY FIRE. BIG FLOUR MILL AND GRAIN STOCKS. Reuter Service. Received Jan. 31, 8.15 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 30. The biggest flour mill in Vienna, and the chief supplier of the city, has been destroyed by fire, with large stocks of grain and flour. ! BAD OAT HARVEST. BREWERY SUPPLIES STOPPED. Received Jan. 31, 8.15 p.m. Berne, Jan. 30. The German Brewers' News states that owing to the bad oat harvest the supply of barley to the breweries has been stopped and brewing is at a standstill. GERMANS WANT THEIR ~~ COLONIES. FOR STRATEGIC PURiPOSES, Received Jan. 31, 10.30 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 30. The Cologne Gazette states that the associations of Soutli Sea firms in Hamburg have sent a memorandum to the Reichstag empliasUing the necessity for getting back the South Sea colonies, and pointing out the great value, not only of productivity, but of the great strategic value favorable for the establishment of wireless stations. GERMAN OFFICIAL. Received Jan. 31, 1055 p.m. London, Jan. 30. Wireless German official: Our aviators successfully bombed London, Southend, Dunkirk, and Calais. Strong Italian forces maintained their attacks on the Asiago plateau. We gave up Monte Divalbella and 00l de Rosso alter sovere flgutinx.