AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE AUSTRIAN COMMAND. TRANSFERRED TO GERMANS. GREAT DISCONTENT CAUSED. CARL'S SUBSERVIENCE TO' KAISER. Received July 8, 6.S p.m. London, July 5. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent reports that the appointment of General von Below as commander of the Austrians has caused discontent in Austria. General von Ludendorff wade no secret that Field Marshal Conrad and Generals Boreovic and von Axz were incapable. The Emperor was compelled to sign a decree displacing them. The Municher Zeitung says that Emperor Carl yielded after a dramatic War Council, wherein von Ludendorff declared the Piave disaster was due to incompetence, and demanded that tfte Austrian generals should be replaced by Ger« mans. Carl was mortified, and hesitatai to comply. Thereupon von Ludendorff produced an autograph letter from the Kaiser insisting on a change. Carl, to the surprise of the Austrian generals, signed the decree and the generals left the room indignantly. None of them went to the station when von Ludendorff departed. General von Below has issued a proclamation to the Austrian troops, saying that the enemy will soon be vanquished if all do their duty. (A Ztacli cable, dated fluly 3, Stated that a telegram from Vienna reports sweeping changes in the' Austrian commands, owing to the defeat in Italy. Field-Marshall von Koevasg replaces Field-Marshal Conrad von Hoetzendorff, the late Commander-in-Chief; General ICruahs, who w«w (Prince Eugene's Chief of Staff, becomes Chief of the General Staff, replacing General von Arz. The German General von Below is given supreme command of the Italian front.) SENSATIONAL RUMORS.

AS TO EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA. Received July 7, 11.60 p.m. Berne, July 6. Extraordinary rumors are circulating in Austria, regarding the Emperor Can and th'e Empress. Some declare that the Imperial couple have fled, but other# (which the authorities d6BCrtt>e ft* inable) refer to the illness of the Empress. Herr Wekerle protests agfttott thus statements, and says they are intended to exhibit the Empress in a seandaloM light. The Royal couple's family life kM been unprecedentedly fair and moral. Telegrams, from Austria also indicate the serious spread of the epidemic of hunger typhus.—Australian Cable Association.

KUHLMANN'S LIBEL ACTION. FOR ALLEGATIONS OF IMMORALITY PROCEEDINGS IN CAMERA.

Received July 7, 6.5 p.m. Amsterdam, July S. Baron von Kuhlmwm'a action against Herr iLohan, editor of the Deutsche Zeitung, and Herr Dancke, editor of the Alledeutsche Blatter, in connection with their allegations of Kuhlmann's immorality during his yisit to Bucharest, has opened. The judge asked the accused to settle the matter by a loyal explanation. Lohan said he had no desire to wash dirty linen in the sight of the enemy, but the article had a political aim, namely, that Kuhlmana was politically harmful; therefore, if Kuhlmann promised to resign shortly he would be prepared to assure Kuhlmann that he had no intention to affront him in his private capacity. Duncke concurred. The judge said it was impossible for' ICuhlmann to give such a promise. The court decided to sit in private, because publicity would endanger the security .of the State.—Reuter.

GERMANY'S ECONOMIC RESOURCES. IN DANGER OF BEING USED UP. Received July 7, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, July 6. The newspaper Vorwaerts confesses there is a danger of Germany's economic resources becoming used up. The lack of sea communication is increasingly felt. The paper demands an early peace, and adds that the enemies may now have peace if it is not dishonorable to Germany, and that the balapcp of military and economic forces between the opponents must be considered at the peace conference. —'Aus. C&ble Assoo.