AUSTRO-GEEMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GEEMANY.

"WE WANT TO LIVE FREELY." GERMANY'S PLACE IN THE SUN. KUHLMANN'S SOPHISTRIES. Received June 26, 7.30 p.m. Amsterdam, June 25. Baron von Kuhlmann, in the Reichstag, eulogised the Turkish Government and Fnver Pasha, who had covered themselves with glory. The questions of the Dobrudja line, the Maritza, and the Caucasus remained to be settled, but there was no real difference of opinion between Turkey and Germany. A conference of the Central Powers with representatives of the people of the Caucasus would meet at Constantinople. Referring to Russia, he said the collossal ferment could not be considered settled, so ho advised that members' comments be guarded. The chief task of the future was a settlement of the Polish question as it concerned the relations between Germany and Austro-Hungary. Further victories by German arms might be expected in the summer and autumn, but he would not venture to prophesy the duration of the war. Nobody believed Germany Btrove after world domination, or even domination of Europe. Baron Kuhlmann said: "What we desire is that within the frontiers which history has drawn for us Ave can live freely, strongly, and undisturbedly, that we shall have overseas possessions corresponding with our greatness, our wealth of capability of organisation,-; that we shall have the possibility and liberty to carry on commerce and traffic to all parts of the world. This is our dim realisation, which is of absolute necessity for the life of Germany." It was to be hoped that Germany's enemies would realise it was a dream that they could fight successfully against the counter-measures which were at Ger- | many's disposal. Concluding, he said: "Moreover, we hope our enemies will i find a way in due course to approach us with an offer of peace which correI sponds with the situation and the necessities of German life." j Kuhlmann incidentally informed the Reichstag that the Anglo-German war I prisoners committee at The Hague had decid"' 1 not to deport Germans from | China. AUSTRIA'S SET-BACK. BRITISH PRESS VIEWS. SYMPATHETIC MANIFESTO URGED. KARL'S STAGE-IPLAY POLICY. London, June 29. In view of the Austrian set-back on the Piave, there ie a strong demand in London for exploiting the situation politically. The Daily Chronicle's diplomatic correspondent urges Mr. Lloyd George, M. Clemenceau, and Signor Orlando to sign a manifesto containing a decisive utterance expressing sympathy for oppressed nationalities. Such action would produce a climax to the hunger, social unrest, political crisis, and military disaster which exist as the Allies' instruments. Such a manifesto, like a charge of dynamite, would shake the frail fabric of Austrian hegemony. The Daily Telegraph opines that Dr. Seidler will attempt to patch up a Ministry in consequence of the Emperor's refusal immediately to accept his resignation, hut it is anticipated that the effort will end in failure. The Emperor meanwhile has charged Dr. SeidUr with the responsihlity of the conduct of affairs until a considered decision is reached. The newspaper adds: "The letter clearly shows that the Emperor is determined to continue to refuse justice to the Jugo-Slavs, Czechs, Poles, and other nationalities, and not to allow them any voice in the Government." The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent excludes the possibility of Dr. Seidler securing a Parliamentary majority, owing to his failure to obtain Polish support. He adds that the Emperor's attitude generally is regarded as indicatng that he intends to challenge his dissentient subjects and take advantage of the famous Article 14 of the Constitution, enabling him to govern without (Parliament. It 3s quite likely, however, the Emperor Karl's policy will bo largely stage-play, attempting to break down the German resistance to • the Austro-Polish policy by showing ita adoption is necessary to the maintenance of the Dual Monarchy. The arrival of 500 wagons of grain from Berlin has only slightly relieved the food situation. The greater part of the grain is earmarked for the army. Altogether Germany has promised 1000 wagons, 400 of which will be available for civilians, merely assuring Vienna of its bread ration for a fortnight. Although Germany has also foregone her share of Hungary's potato crop the outlook until the harvest iB critical. Geneva messages state that it is difficult to learn the progress of the strike movement in Austria, as the frontier is practically closed. Extremists arc still advocating a general strike, which the Workmen's Council hesitates to proclaim. Moderate Socialists are urging the immediate convocation of Parliament and declare it is the only way of averting a catastrophe,—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PROMISES TO AIPPEASE UNREST. Amsterdam, June 25. The Lokal Anzeiger states that one of the most serious aspects of the unrest in Austria-Hungary is the insurgency of the Poles and Czechs. Harvesting on the Hungarian lowlands has commenced. The Viennese have been promised 21b -of horseflesh extra weekly, also mobile military kitchens are supplying 100,000 daily for four weeks with cheap, warm soups made of meat and vegetables.—Timse.

I THE END OF THE WAR. I -

DOUBT IF IT WILL BY THE END OF 1919. Received June 26, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, June 23. Kuhlmann, in the Reichstag, reviewing the military situation, created a sensation by expressing doubt if the war would end even in 1919.—Reuter. FUTURE OF BELGIUM. GERMAN EVASION AS USUAL. Received June 26, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, June 25. Baron von Kuhlmann, in the Reichstag, said Germany could not bind herself to any pledges concerning Belgium. The Vossische Zeitung asserts that if England had not stood in the way, Bel* gium would have learnt long ago, by direct negotiations, that Germany was willing to guarantee the restoration of Belgium. Only by direct negotiations could Germany obtain guarantees against Belgium becoming an instrument of England's war intrigues. England could to-day have a peace which would not interfere with what she owns.-* Press Assoc. GERMANS DENOUNCED. VIOLENT SCENE IN HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. Received June 26,. 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, June 25. There w.as a vehement demonstration ngainst Germany in the Hungarian Par-' iiament on the lSth. The chairman o> the National Msrchants said the Germans became robbers immediately the}' left the Fatherland, and were disloyal and dishonest allies, exploiting AustroHungary, whilst sneering at her importunities. A violent sicene followed, members shouting, "They've robbed us and sucked Transylvania dry." Count Karolyi joined the demonstrators. —Times Service.