AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1918, Page 6

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

AUSTRO-GERMAN TREATY. OTHER CONVENTIONS IFROBABLE. Amsterdam, May 17. Dr. Wekerle, in a speech in the Hungarian Chamber, denied that the new Austro-German treaty affected the independence of the Austro-Hungarian army, though a certain military agreement had been reached. Similarly, though an economic rapprochement had been arranged, it did not prejudice Hungarian independence. The agreement required the Chamber's approval. He declared that the Emperor Karl's letter had been satisfactorily explained to Germany, and the incident might be regarded as closed. German newspapers assert that Germany will shortly arrange conventions with Bulgaria and Turkey similar to the Austrian. —Press Assoc. LOW BIRTHRATE. DRASTIC REMEDY PROPOSED. Amsterdam, May 17. A German Commission on the declining birthrate recommends compulsory marriage, and suggests an age limit of twenty, with financial help, but penalties provided for childless unions.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. London, May 17. German statistics show that the decline in the birth-rate compared with the pre-war rate represents a decline of two million babies in three years. The infantile death-rate is fairly lotf, but high compared with England.

AUTOCRATIC MINISTERS. Amsterdam, May 17. Count von Hertling and Dr. von Kuhlmann.have returned from headquarters. They refused to receive the Reichstag leaders until after Whitsuntide, despite the leaders' demand for an immediate private interview to discuss the recent agreement between Austria and Germany.

Liberal and Socialist newspapers warn the Government not to bind Germany to Austria before the Reichstag has been consulted.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.