AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

LUDENDORFF AT VIENNA. VISIT TO ITALIAN FRONT. POLITICAL OUTLOOK WORSE. Received July 2, 7.5 p.m. London, July 1

The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent states that General von LudendorfFs visit to Vienna indicates Germany's concern over events in Austria. Ludendorff, after a long conference with Emperor Karl, accompanied by General von Arz, visited the entire Italian front. Another council followed, at which Ludendorlf urged the necessity of reconquering some of the lost positions, but the attacks did not result in improving tho situation.

The political outlook is growing worse. It is confirmed that Emperor Karl commanded the Seidler Cabinet to withdraw their resignations, and re-appointed them bodily. Emperor Karl, in a rescript, states that the Reichstrath must be convoked for July 10, whether giving Dr. Seidler a majority or not. Dr. Seidler declares he does not want to govern with article 14 of the Constitution, which means a military dictatorship, but will use it to prevent Parliament hampering a flairs of State.—Press Association.

ANGLO-FRENCH PRISONERS,

GERMAN OFFICIAL fiTYATM Received July 3, 1 a.m. London, July 1. Official: A Berlin message claims that 191,400 prisoners were taken since March 21, half being British and half French. —Press Association.

(PRESS COMMENTS. Berne, July 1. Austrian Socialist and Democratic newspapers warmly champion Herr Kuhlmann.

The Zeit violently denounces the "Junker pan-hypocrites." South German newspapers publish a 6emi-official article insisting on the necessity of far-reaching internal reforms in Austria on the basis of autonomous nationalities.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Amsterdam, July 1. Berlin papers deny the existence of the "Black Book" mentioned in the Billing case. They had not heard of it prior to the case. They declare that Captain Spencer did not serve Prince William of Wied or the Albanian Government in any capacity.—Renter. Austro-Germau Socialists informed Troelstra (the Dutch Socialist who was refused a permit to land in that they favored peace if an understanding was arrived at on the lines of the Stockholm Conference declarations, but not on the basis proposed in the Entente Socialists' memoranda.—Ana N.'Z. Cable Assoc.

AUSTRIAN FOOD SUPPLIES. Amsterdam, July 1. A telegram from Vienna states that the Emperor Karl, owing to the insoluble difficulties of the food shortage, wrote to the Kaiser, and a conference was held at Main Headquarters, in which the Hungarian Food Minister participated.

It is stated that an agreement was reached for the joint systematic utilising of all grain stocks until the new harvest.

Berlin officially announces that the potato rations are reduced from 71b to 31b weddy and 400 grammes (14oz) of cereals substituted.—Aus. N.Z. CableAssoc.

DIVIDENDS OUT OF CAPITAL. London, July 1. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says that the general meeting of the Daimler Company was a mournfal event. The chairman said that since it had been placed under military control the prosperity of the company had been endangered. It paid £1,550,000 in taxation, compared with Krupps' £1,500,000, though Krupps' was infinitely bigger. Tho bank balance was £21,500,000 in 1916 and now was £15,800,000, although they had had a £7,000,000 advance from the military authorities. The dividend of 30 per cent, would be continued by the company drawing upon capital.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.