Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-14
COUNT APPONY| OPT|M|ST
AS TO OUTCOME OF WAR
ern European Powers Will
Be One Result.
RUSSIA is GREATEST MENACE
Declares Hungarians Feel That
Struggle Is One of Very Existence.
Foresees Understanding Between
England and Germany I'm Future.

Correspondence OF Associated Press. ]
BUDAPEST. HUNGARY. April 26.-
Count Albert Apponyi. the veteran
hungarian opposition leader, and for
mer minister and president of Parlia-
ment. widely known in the United
States because OF his lecture tour of
four years ago, has received the cor
respondent OF tho Associated Press and
discussed the European war He is a
thorough optimist.
II see no reason why after this war
some understanding of the Western
European powers shouldn't come" he
said. We in Austria and Hungary
have no serious points OF conflict with
mad to make an effort to regain her
lost provinces from Germany, but she
must see now that the attempt is hope
less 1t would he possible. I think,
after the war to reconcile her to the
loss Ivy some concessions regarding the
autonomy of Alsace Lorraine. Eng
land would have to give up her aspira
lions TO a naval dominance which would
enable her to dictate the affairs of the
world. and content herself with the
position OF first naval power.
We HunGarians feel that the strug-
gle for us is one of very existence.
There can never be any security for
Western Europe so long Russia is
allowed to play a role in European af-
fairs. Her whole history is one Of
this danger to Europe is a coalition OF
the West European powers against
Russia."
The Hungarian leader voiced a
thought u which many high placed
men of Germany and Austro- Hungary
are giving utterance. that the next
thing on the cards after the war would
be some form OF understanding be-
tween England and Germany.
The opposition leaders only criticism
of the government was in regard to
Przemysl. Peoples spirits. he said. are
mysl. an event which was inexcusable
The fortress itself was impregnable
to assault. Tho military authorities,
he said, must have known 1t would
be impossible to hold Galicia. and
il would be necessary to fall back
slowly through to the Carpathians.
Przemysl should have been provisioned
for At least year. and why il was
not, said Count Apponyi. would be a
subject for inquiry after the war.
The count thought the military au
thorities underestimated the force
which the Russians could throw into
the field against Austro-H Hungary at tho
beginning of the war. 1t had been
thought several months would pass be-
fore Russia could complete her mobili-
cation. but she was found to be already
virtually on a war footing. The count
said the Austro- Hungarian leaders
should have in the beginning followed
the policy now adopted OF leaving on
the Serbian frontier force only strong
enough to protect the border against
aston, and throwing against the
Russians the whole strength OF the
army.
Count Opponyi would not admit that
Galicia had been lost.
We have already driven the Rus
sions from Bukowina," he said: why
- frl rulf 81 Int nttf
also that the armies of Germany and
Austro- Hungary are in possession OF
several thousand square miles OF Rus
sian Poland. and virtually all of Bel
GUM and Northern France: SO there
is no doubt that II the war should
cease under present conditions we
should get back Galicia."
The aims for which Germany and
Austro-Hungary are fighting. the count
thought, were already attained: for 1t
would he many long years before any
power or group OF powers would VEN
ture to attack them again.