GREAT MORAL DECLINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1918, Page 5

GREAT MORAL DECLINE.

A CORRESPONDENT'S PICTURE. Received Dec. 16. 8.43 p.m. London, Dec. 14. The Times' Berlin correspondent states that the revolution, following the sufferings Af war, has brought about a frightful decline in the moral sense of Berlin. Licentious women are mixing with the returning troops. There is an extraordinary and widespread traffic in stolen goods, and corruption is general. Everyone is eager to hoard money and secure himself during the impending catastrophe. "My stay in Germany filled me with profound dismay at the weakness of the bonds holding civilisation together. Everyone has firearms under his cloak. It is unsafe to venture in the streets at night. Many families have machineguns. Berlin resembles a city with two hostile armies—Liebknecht's and Ebert's

Despite Eisner's warnings, Munich has I demanded the establishment of a revolutionary tribunal, the deposition of Ebert, and full power for the Soviets.— i Reuter. SOVIETS NOT RECOGNISED BY ALLIES. Amsterdam, Dec. 14. Berlin newspapers state that Marshal Foch told the Kreunbach Soviet, who requested facilities for the journey of delegates from the occupied region to the Berlin Congress of Soviets, that the Allies did not recognise the Soviets.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. REICHSTAG MEETS AT FRANKFORT Paris, Dec. 14. Advices from Berlin state that the President of the Reichstag has informed the deputies that they will be summoned, but he reserves the right to fix the place and time.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. „ Berne, Dec. 14. Herr Fohrenbach, the president, is summoning the Reichstag to meet -at Frankfort. . Marshal Hindenburg has promised to send troops to guard the Assembly. The Government is threatening to indict-for treason all deputies answering the sum-mons.-Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Amsterdam, Dec. 14.

Herr Fohrenbach's letter to the deputies, convoking the Reichstag, states that reports from Entente countries! show they do not acknowledge the present Government; only the Reichstag is entitled to constitute a legal Government. FIRE AT •■ZEEPELK FACTORY. Amsterdam, Dec. 14. A fire at Friedrichhafen partly destroyed the Zeppelin factory, causing enormous) damage. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS. Received Dec. 16, 11.25 p.m. New York, Dec. 14. A United Press message from Berlin reports that the National Assembly