AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

RETENTION OF COLONIES. DJiMAND BY SOUTH SEA FIRMS. Amsterdam, Feb. 4. Tho German union of South Sea, firms addressed a memorandum to the Reichstag which declared that if at the peace agreement the German Government consented to withdraw its flag from the Pacific Ocean, German world activity would he irreparably restricted, Germany must possess her own stations on the trade routes to prevent her enemies' blockade retaining its effectiveness after the war. The possession of these places involved Germany's industry and shipping trade. The memorandum demands the retention of the former spheres of activity on the other side of the globe. These cannot lie abandoned without immeasurable injury to German national economics. J.ondon, Feb. 4. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Dailv Chronicle, cabling on Sunday evening. -savs that tha severity of the German censorship prevents readers of I newspapers gaining a precise idea of the course of the German strikes. The impression is that, the strikes are dying down everywhere, and apparently the strikers are largly resuming work under I threat of forced military service. Reports from other centres, notably Bremon. indicate tlis resumption of work.- The authorities have placed many Berlin war factories under military control. Monday will probably be the decisive day, in view of the summary order to resume work under threat of courtmartial, but the strike at present seems doomed. STRIKE REPORTED TO BE ENDING. DUE TO RECALL OF SOLDIERS ON LEAVE. Received "Feb. 5, 8.20 p.m. Amsterdam, F< J b. 4. A SDiiu-ofliciiil Berlin report states that it is nearly 'certain "the strike is ending. This result is greatly due to tile recall of the soldiers on leave, who, it is believed, fomented the strike. SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' DEMANDS. CONVOCATION OF REICHSTAG REFUSED. MACHINE-GUNS POSTED. Received Feb. 0, 1.30 a.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 3. The Government hi., refused the Social Democrats' demand for the immediate convocation of the Reichstag. Machine-guns have been posted at industrial centres. Some of the newspapers attribute the strike to the influence of English agents. The arrest of many undesirables during the demonstrations has effectually quelled the disorders.

MUNITIONS DEPOT BLOWN UP. MANY LIVES LOST. Received Feb. 5, 8.10 p.m. Berne, Feb. 4. A munitions depot near Prague was blown up, it is believed intentionally. Many lives were lost and great material damage done. DITTMANN CONFINED IN FORTRESS Received Feb. fl, 12.35 a.m. Reuter Service. Amsterdam, Feb. 4. A telegram from Berlin states that Herr Dittmann was sentenced- to five years' confinement in a fortress for high treason, and also two months' imprisonment for resisting the authorities.