The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-28
IN ORDER
Premier Sturgkh Gives Out His
First Interview.
Empire Can Stand Long Siege
of War.

Vienna, Aug IS Count Karl
Sturgkh, the Austrian premier, Tues
day granted an exclusive inter-
view in which he frankly answered all
questions. It is the first newspaper
interview he has ever given.
He said:
Nobody can foretell the length of
the war. 1t takes two sides to con-
clude peace. In my opinion its dura-
ton will depend, for the most part,
on how much Germany will demand
from England.
some expansionists have been
rather eXtravagant in their demands,
and possibly this is tending to pro-
long the war. However, L believe
that the responsible German authori-
ties will be moderate in their demands
when these come to be made.
No End in Sight.
Regarding the rumor concerning
statement having been made fore
telling the end of the war before
statements have not been made Off
cially.
1T would be impossible for any one
to predict when the war will end.
Economically our empire is well
able to stand a continuance of the
war. Regulation of the food ques-
ton, following in Germany's footsteps,
has commenced. The structures will
only be enforced during the present
harvest. Next year the whole Ger
man system of food control Will be
in operation.
''England's efforts to starve the
central powers have caused tremen-
dous economic revolution. The state
is taking hold of the regulation of
the grain supply and is controlling
it in every stage from the distribution
of seed corn until it is made into
! bread. 1t is confiscating the entire
crop, fixing buying and selling prices,
doing out rations according as they
are needed, and is prohibiting specu-
lation and cheapening the cost by
Strengthening the road from the pro-
Queer to the consumer.
Grain Not Taxed.
''There is no state monopoly as
there is in tobacco, and the grain is
not subject to taxation.
"A new government department has
been organized under experts to en-
force the relations and even the
flour mills have been pressed into
service. This new department is in
no sense bureaucratic. The system of
bread cards insures that the bread is
equally distributed. The statistics
show at all times how much bread
is available. Accordingly we know
just what we can do, there is no dan
ger of famine and we are always GER
tain that there is enough bread for all.
Whether all this system will be
abolished after the war is still uncer-
tain. This years harvest has been
very gratifying, especially that of
Hungary. Thus the problem of feed
ing the nation is less difficult than it
was last year, and there is less chance
of starving US into submission.
Moreover, there is plenty of feed
for the animals and the weather has
been extremely favorable. admit
that meat prices are higher, due part
! iy to the enormous demands made by
there
shortage.
THE financial situation is most ia
vorable. The economic strength of
the nation is surprising to us. Our
appeal to the citizens to support the
government with their savings was a
splendid success and inspired the gov
eminent with new confidence.
The war has had a wonderful eff
feet in unifying the Austrian races.
Prince Bismarck once said:
When Emperor Francis Joseph
mounts his horse, all his peoples will
follow him
'"Fhis prophecy has come true.
All for Empire.
when the war broke out all tie
peoples were found united for the en-
pire.
'Italy's entrance into the game has
not dampened the ardor of the peo-
pie; on the contrary it has whipped
it into unbounded fury
Our relations with Germany have
been made still more cordial by the
war. The diplomats of both coun-
tries are acting in wonderful har-
mOny.
The military cooperation between
the two empires has been most adj
mirable. Parts of both armies have
| been mixed, one with the other, but
still, wheel fits it to wheel. All are
| striving for the same object.
| TT is because of this that the ire
mendous successes IN Poland during
! the last few days were possible. By
| careful strategic preparations the two
armies have been welded together as
one, an unconqueiab able legion.
! 'Poland's future is as yet undecid-
! ed. The military occupation by the
/ dual harmonious armies will be eX-
/ tended whenever more territory is to
! be conquered.
4 admire the American people and
hope that the long friendship which
/ has existed between the two coun-
/ tries will remain undisturbed.''