AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

HINDENBURG DEAD. (Press Association Extraordinary.) Received July 14, 5.5 p.m. Vancouver, July 13. Field-Marshal von Hindenburg is dead. '' Received July 14, 5.5 p.m. London, July 13. There are renewed, but unconfirmed, I rumors emanating from The Hague that ' von Hindenburg is dead. —Reuter. A TRAGIC END. STROKE FOLLOWS STORMY INTERVIEW. Received July 14, 1120 p.m. Amsterdam, July 18. The Belgian newspaper Les Nouvelles states that it learns from a good source t that Hindenburg died as the result of a 6troke, following a stormy interview with the Kaiser, at the main headquarters, on .May IG, at which differences of opinion arose on the subject of the offensive against Paris. The above report is received sceptically in London.—Reuter. Field-Marshal von Hindenburg, Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, was in his 71st year. He gained great popularity at the beginning of the war by driving out the Russians from East Prussia. He commanded the German forces from the Baltic to the Pripet Marshes. His scheme for involving the Russians in the Masurian Lakes' marshes met with success, having been specially studied by him for several years. From June, 1916, his command was extended to the Galician front, with the Austrian forces added to the German forces. At the end of August, 1916, he was appointed. Com-mander-in-Chief in succession to General von Falkenhayn. When war broke out, General von Hindenburg was living in retirement in Hanover. He was summoned suddenly by the Kaiser to the command of the Eastern army. "He only had time to buy some woollen underclothing and have his old uniform altered before setting out for East Prussia in a special train like a prince," said The National Zeitung. He celebrated his military jubilee in April, 1916, when the Kaiser presented him with his portrait. In June the Kaiser said: "You have become the national hero of the German people. The name of Hindenburg is already of legendary fame. Wherever it is spoken, all eyes flash, all faces, of young and old, beam." A great statue of wood was erected to Hindenburg in Berlin, and gold nails were driven into it by members of the Imperial Family, and thousands of admirers of Hindenburg. But with the scarcity of metal and nails, this ugly form of decoration ceased. CHANGE OF GERMAN MINISTERS. STATEMENT BY HERTLTNG. READINESS FOR PEACE PROPOSALS Received July 14, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, July 12. A Moscow message, via Germany, states that one of General Mirbach's murderers has been arrested. Count von Hertling, speaking in the Reichstag, said that tho changing of the Foreign Minister would not change Germany's foreign or internal policies. The change was not caused by real differences of opinion, but arose from personal discussions revealing matters which ought not to be* made public. The Government intended to adhere to its foreign pplicy as laid down in replying to the Papal peace note. The closest union existed between the political leaders and the army leaders regarding their readiness to receive peace proposals from the enemy, if offered in a sincere spirit. President Wilson's and Mr. Balfour's utterances force Germany to continue the struggle. It is reported that von Hintzo has pledged himself to follow the Chancellor's policy and that the Liberal parties will give von Hintze a trial.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. A FOUL CHARGE., THAT ALLIES' PROMPTED MIRBACH'S MURDER. BELIEF IN RUSSIA Received July 14, 5.5 p.m. i London, July 12. , German wireless: Hertling, in the Reichstag, emphasised that the chief of . tho army administration was not con- . ducting the war for the sake of war. j They had told him that as soon as their enemies manifested a desire for peace he , must follow it up. Count Hertling continued: "Regarding | the East, Germany stands on tho basis , of the Brest Litovsk peace, which she | desires to see loyally carried out. The , only impediment is the unsettled condi- | tion of Russia. I am inclined to believe ( in the loyalty of the present Russian j Government, but cannot unconditionally , assume that it is able to carry out its j promises. It is still under the depress- f ing influence of the terrible murder of , General Mirbach. All indications point to the Entente having instigated the | deed in order to involve us in a fresh War with Russia, which we don't want." . Hertling added: "Whereas we support J the present Russian Government in its j desire for peace, it must be remembered | that there arc varied political currents , , r n Russia. We won't commit ourselves • to any political counter-current, hut we are carefully watching the course that Russia is steering. Baron von Kuhl- , tnann's successor, von Hintze, possesses a thorough knowledge of Russian affairs, and he has promised in all things to follow my policy." Hertling concluded that the course , whereon the great majority of the mem- - bers of the Reichstag agreed last No- ( -vember would still be followed.—Aus. ( >MX Cable Assof " i