The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-12-16

Can Hope to Recover ANY of Ad.
vantases Gained by Central Allies,
or in Any Way to Force Them to
Come to Tcrms-WouId Shift Re-
s~pOnsibility for Continuance of War
London, Dec. IAN official AUS
trian statement referring to the peace
offer says:
When in the summer of 1914 the
patience Of Austria-Hungary was ex-
hautod by a series of Systematically
continued n eve increasing provo
cations and menaces and the mon
archy. after almost so years of un-
broken peaC. found itself compelled
to draw the sword, this weighty de-
cision was animated neither by ag-
gressive purpose nor by designs of
conquest, but solely by the bitter
necessity of self-defense to defend it's
existence and safeguard itself for the.
future against similar treacherous
plots Of hostile neighbors.
THAT was the task and aim Of the
monarchy IN the present war. In
combination with it's allies, we'll tried
in loyal comradeship in arms, the
Austro- Hungarian armies and fleet,
fighting, bleeding, but also assailing
and conquering, gained such successes
that they frustrated the intentions OF
the enemy. The quadruple alliance
not only has won an immense series Of
victories but also holds in it's power
extensive hostile territories. Unbrok-
en- is its strength, as our latest treacn-
erous enemy has just experienced.
"Can our enemies hope to conquer
or shatter this alliance Of powers?
They will never succeed in breaking
in by blockade and starvation meas
Ures. Their war aims, to the attain
roent of which they have come no
nearer in the third year Of the war,
will in the future be proved to have
been completely unattainable. Use
less and unayailing, therefore, is the
prosecution of the fighting On the
lpart Of the enemy.
81
lance, on the other hand, have effec-
lively pursued their aims. namely, de-
Tense against attacks on their exist
ence and integrity, which were plan
ned in concert long sine and the
achievement OF real guarantees ami
they will never allow themselves TO
be deprived Of the basis of their exist
ence, which they have secured by ad-
vantages won.
"The continuation Of the murderous
war, in which the enemy can destroy
much, but can not-as the quadruple
alliance is firmly confident-alter fate,
is evermore seer to be an aimless de-
struction of human lives and property.
an act of inhumanity justified by nc
necessity and a crime against civiliza-
ton.
This conviction and the hope that
similar views may also be begun to be
entertained in the enemy camp, has
caused the idea to ripen in the Vienna
cabinet-in full agreement with the
governments of the allied (Teutonic)
powers-of making a candid and loyal
endeavor to come to q discussion with
their enemies for the purpose Of paw
ing n way for peace.
The governments of Austria Hun
gary, Germany, Turkey and Bulgaria
have addressed today Identical notes
to the diplomatic representatives of
the capitals concerned who are en-
trusted with the protection Of enemy
nationals, expressing an inclination to
enter into peace negotiations and re-
Guesting them to transmit this overture
to enemy states. This step was simu,-
~taneously brought to the knowledge of
the representatives of the holy see m
a special note and the active interest
Of the pope for thiso offer of peace was
SOii.iIeu. Lihc"lS Use the Accredited rep
resentatives of the remaining neutral
states in the four capitals were ac-
quainted with this proceeding for the
purpose Of informing their govern
ments.
Austria and her allies by tnis
step have given new and decisive
proof of their love OF peace. 1t now
is for their enemies to make known
views before the world. What
ever the result of its proposal may
he, no responsibility can fall on the
alliance. even before the
Judgment seat of its own people, if It
eventually is Obliged to continue TIC