CENTRAL POWERS TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1920, Page 11

CENTRAL POWERS TO-DAY.

AUSTRALIAN'S IMPRESSIONS,

A MESSAGE FROM AUSTRIA,

London, Dec, 4

Mr. E. R. Peacock, who is travelling through Central Europe, the Balkans, and Poland a? a special commissioner for the. Sydney Sun, interviewed the Presidents, Premiers, and leading commoners in those countries. He concludes that the outlook is different from that ordinarily anticipated, especially in Germany, where capital and labor understand each other more closely than in Britain. They are ready to make a tremendous effort to pay their indemnities and re-establish the country when trade is resumed.

"Factories are idfe now," writes Mr. Peacock. "Immense industrial districts are barren, but tlie strong arm of the bask'etmaker, Hcrr Noske, the greatest German military commander and organiser, promises a period of orderliness and industry bucli as .every European country is seeking through the puzzle and maze of war's decay.

Herr Noske impressed Mr. Peacock as a towering personality. He is ragged, massive, and gnarled, with huge limbs and a slow tongue. "His warted face, long, massive head, and huge hands show his capacity," says Mr. Peacock. "Nearly all the Germans follow Noske, hating autocracy and seeking a democracy, and yet wondering what the democracy will bring. He represents law and order. He is perhaps repressive, certainly rough and ruthless, but. (his only means giving to industry and labor its chance."

Mr. Peacock found throughout Germany a new respect for Australia, as the result of many hard defeats' at the hands of the Anzacs. He quotes, for instance, the opinion of Professor Manes, a notorious professor, who has published a new book, urging German democracy to learn from Australia. Professor Manes used his special knowledge to scoff at Australia during the war, but now he lectures throughout the country preaching Australian doctrines. In an interview Professor Manes said that the development of Germany would follow Australian lines, and they would have no very rich and no poor. He added: "Many will die in Germany this winter, and ultimately millions must emigrate. It is a'thousand pities that the restrictions of trade are preventing Australian product? being sold at the immense prices offering in Germany."

Herr Seitz, the first President of the Austrian Republic, was an orphanage boy, a tailor, and then a professional politician. He is a member of the

middle class, with a moustache and cheek whiskers cut close round a firm mouth. _ He showed great interest in Australia, and asked Mr. Peacock to give the following message to the Australian public:—"We were enemies, but Australia's terrible fight was against a dynasty which is now overthrown. We are now a .young republic rising out < the debris, and sharing the principles of freedom equally with Australia, which owes its brilliant economic and cultural ascendancy to the democratic methods which we are now following. Tell them '.o watch us in- spirit on the democratic road on which they are far ahead, and to give us the sympathy that makes the ties of friendship. The war has steeped poor Austraia in such economic confusion and famine that ouly generous trade with our late enemies can restore us. I admit that it was the ambitious greed of the Hapsburgs that brought the war. We will pay. We are enfeebled, exhausted, and dying. Let the democracies look at least kindly towards us."