The Washington herald., 1915-08-29
AUSTRIA FIXED
FOR along war
Count Sturgkh Says Empire
Is Financially Settled for
Continuance.
HARVEST IS GRATIFYING
Duration of HostiGtes Will Depend
for Most Part on Germany's De-
mands on England. He Says.
By GUsTAvE sCHEPPINDICK.

mdnQS on InSidn0, nc SdyS.
By GUSTAvE SCHEPPINDICK.
Editor Of the North Dutch Journal
Vienna, Aug. S.-Count Karl Sturgkh.
the Austrian premier, today granted me
an exclusive interview, in which he frank
~ answered all questions. It is the first
newspaper interview he has ever given.
Nobody can foreten the length OF the
war. 1t takes two sides to conclude .
peace. In my opinion. its duration will
depend for the most part on how much
Germany will demand from England.
"Scme expansionists have been rather
extrayagant in their demands. and possi-
bly, this Is tending to prolong the war.
German authorities will be moderate in
their demands when these come to be
made.
Regarding the rumor concerning q
statement having been made foretelling
the end OF the war before winter, I am
myself certain such statements have not
been made officially.
Hard to Predict.
TT would be impossible for any one to
predict when the war will end. Finan-
cially, our empire Is well able to stand
a continuance Of the war. Regulation
of the food question, following In Ger
many's footsteps, have been put under
way. Next year the whole German sys-
tenn OF food control will be in operation.
"England's efforts to starve the central
powers have caused a tremendous eco
nomic revolution. The state is taking
hold of the regulation of the grain sup
ply 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 the buying and
selling prices. doling out rations ac-
cording as they are needed, and is pro-
hibiting speculation and cheapening the
cost by Strengthening the road from the
producer to the consumer.
There is no state monopoly. as there
is in tobacco. and the grain is not sub
ject to taxation.
"A new government department has
been organized under experts to enforce
the regulations and even the -four mills
have been pressed into service. This new
department is in no sense bureaucratic.
The system of bread card 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
danger of famine and We are always
certain there is enough bread for all.
Harvest Is Gratifying.
Whether all this system will be
abolished after the war is still un-
certain. 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 submis-
sion.
Moreover, there is plenty of feed for
the animals and the weather has been
extremely favorable. admit that
meat prices are higher. due partly to
the enormous demands made by the
army. but there IS no real meat
shortage.
The financial situation is most
favora BILE. The economic strength of
the nation is surprising even to us.
Our appeal to the citizens to support
the government with their savings
was a splendid success and inspired
the government with new confidence.
so far two loans have been neces-
sary. amounting to more than 7,00O,-
OOO, 900 crowns S1, 400. .000.00oO A new
loan is impending and its success Is
assured.
Following the example of Germany
manufacture of articles de luxe In
Austria Hungary has ceased, there
being no possibility of their exporta-
ton.
Everybody is employed and there
is no change in everyday life. Trade
is going on as usual
The people are determined to hold
out until peace is concluded.
II
in unifying the Austrian races. Prince
Bismarck once said:
when Emperor Francis Joseph
mounts his horse all his peoples will fol-
low him.
This prophecy mas come true.
When the war broke out all the peo-
pies were found united for the empire.
Italy Spurred Spirits.
"1taly's entrance into the game has not
dampened the ardor of the people. On
the contrary, 1t has whipped it into IN
bounded fury.
"Our relations with Germany have been
made still more cscdial by the war. The
diplomats Of both countries are acting In
wonderful harmony.
The military cooperation between the
two empires has been most admirable.
Parts of both armies have been missed.
one with the other. but still wheel fits
into wheel AL are striving for the same
object.
''It is because Of this that the tre-
:nendous success in Poland during the
last few days were possible. BY careful
strategic preparations the two armies
have been welded together as one. an
legion.
''Poland's future is as vet undecided |
The military occupation by the dual
armies will be extended whenever more
territory is to be conquered.
It admire the American people and
hope that the long friendship which has
existed between the two countries Will
remain undisturbed."