GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 5

GERMANY.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. ' ESSENTIAL POINTS OUTLINED. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. Berne, Feb. 13. Weimar advices state that in the Assembly Herr Scheidemann, in declaring the Government's policy, said the task in the immediate future could be summed up under the following essential heads: Firstly, the maintenance of the unity of the State by means of a strong central authority; secondly, the immediate conclusion of peace; thirdly, the adherence to President Wilson's programme; fourthly, the rejection of any peace of violence; fifthly, the restoration of Germany's colonies and territories; sixthly, immediate repatriation of Germany pris- [ oners; seventhly, Germany's entrance into the League of Nations with equal righto; eighthly, general and reciprocal disarmament; ninthly, the constitution of general arbitration courts; tenthly, the abolition of secret diplomacy.—Reuter. SCHEIDEMANN INTERVIEWED. THE USUAL BLUFF. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, Feb. 13. • Interviewed, Herr Scheidemann, the newly.elected German Chancellor, said the Entente may conclude a peace according to their interests, but there is a limit for Germany, which may break off relations. We would not take up arms, but would leave the consequences for those who imagine they are able to bear them. Scheidemann added: ''l hope America will be able to convince the Allies that it is to the interest of the whole world to see old Germany replaced by a new Social democracy, rather than heap damning epithets upon Germany."—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. COLONIAL CLAIMS. [ TOE ALLIES' "HARDENED HEARTS" Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, Feb. 14. Herr Ladek has been arrested. Herr Erzberger, interviewed at Weimar, said Germany's colonial claims were modest. She was content to retain as many colonies as Portugal, and had no wish to compete with England and France in the coionial field. Germany was tired of contending against the Allies' hardened hearts. The freedom of the seas means, the abolition of the right of blockade and the seizure of merchant ships. Aerial attacks ought to be prohibited, in order to permit transport of vital necessaries.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. GRAVE STRIKES THREATENED Received Feb. 10, 11.30 p.m. Copenhagen, Feb. 15. There is news of grave strikes threatening at Berlin. Forty thousand workers are rioting, compelling the shopkeepers to close there. There is a strong guard at Moabit prison, where Radek is imprisoned. He declares himself a Bolshevik Charge d' Affaires, and claims to be treated as a diplomat, but the authorities insist that he is a common outlaw.—Reuter. PRESIDENT OF ASSEMBLY. Received Feb. 17, 12.50 a.m. Weimar, Feb. 10. The Centerist Fehrenbach has been elected president of the Assembly.— Renter.