The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-12-22
AUSTRIA
[By Carl w. Alderman, United Press
Staff Correspondentl

10y Ndri w. ACkoFindIl, OnlIoO FTcSS
Staff Correspondent
BERLIN, (via Amsterdam) Dec. 22.
Hungary is willing ito pledge Rus
sia that the DardaneIIes will always
remain open for Russian commerce,
as condition Of peace.
Count Albert Apponyi, leader OF
the opposition In the Hunoarlan par
lament, made this statement to the
United Press in an Interview at Buda-
pest. It is important not only be-
cause OF the dominant position the
count occupies in Austro- Hungarian
affairs. but because he Is an interna-
tional peace leader.
I'VE can understand why Russia
wants such assurances" said Count
| Apponyi, "but we cannot see why
these guarantees cannot be given
without at the same time making the
| poItlcal power OF Russia paramount
when that power would be q perma-
nent menace to our safety.
Hungary wants peace, but peace
making impossible return to the
conditions that brought about this
war. That Implies destruction Of
Russian influence In the Balkans,
which Is used only aggressiveIy for
! expansion and conquest"
Count Apponyi believes Russia ls
the great stumbling block In the way
Of an early ending Of the war. He
4 sees no prospects for an early peace.
ain his address to the reichstag,
the German chancellor opened the
way to an expression Of the same
good will on behalf Of tho entente
powers he observed. "Had they re-
sponded, common ground for discus
sion might have been found, but
do not think the disposition for peace
on either side ripened into 4 readi
we must be prepared for 4 longer
duration Of the war. But we fee
morally stronger for having given the
world an understanding Of what we
were ready to do In behalf Of peace
| Count Appony, like other official.
Interviewed by the United Press II
the dual monarchy, expressed sur
prise at the tone adopted by Americs
In the note to Austria-Hunqary 70
q sardino the Ancona. 80
at | had been ansMerln0 the Am er
lean note, would have asked you
state department to amend the style
and the language before would con
slider 4 reply, he said. "The vic
Ience Of It's expressions was uncaIiee
for. It takes for granted the state
n,ents Of unnamed witnesses and ac
J cepts as the truth every statemen
of our adversary. But perhaps ths
} foreign office was wise in not show
ing how much the tone of the not,
was resented. At any rate I hop.
the negotiations will end satisfac
torily."
Count Apponyi does not join will
those who praise the Austrian repl,
on the ground that it proves the NOR
. archy's diplomatic independence o
Germany.
81 shouldn't Insist on that" he saic
, ~ find perfect unanirnity in the polit
icaI aims and sentiments Of the cen
tral powers. We keenIy appreclat
Gernnany's sense OF. fidelity In grav
: moments and reciprocate IT,"
The count asked many question
concerning developments In Amerlc
!, but said he could not understand 9Th
. lack Of fairness of the America
press"
at has been keen disappointment
, to me to see the subservience to sec
:. ond-hand information from EngIan
displayed by your people," he sale
"a fail to unde retand why and hoy
America entangIed her sympathic
with a side on which Hlssia is fgh
Ing. In Russia the spirit Of libe-t
cannot prevail"
The references to German militia
Ism in America also brought a repl
from the Hungarian leader.
"The responsibility for Europea
] ornaments rests, not with US, bl
E with the powers making It necessar
: for us to be prepared to defend ou
;. selves" he said. "There Is no diffe
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