Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-11
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY NOT WHIPPED,
SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER RAJECZ
Determined to Hold Out and Win and
Unwilling to Grow Thin-Rumanias
Action No SURPRISE

VIENNA, September Z. via Berlin to
London, September lin a thorough
ly frank manner the Austro-Hungarian
minister of foreign affairs. Baron Ste
phen Burian Won Rajecz, discussed In
an interview with the correspondent
Of the Associated Press tho position Of
the dual monarchy in tho world war.
which, he said. had been enormously
characterized by enemies and certain
neutrals as unsatisfactory.
Austria Hungary Is far from lying
down, as hoped by some," said the min
lister. in tone carrying conviction.
"It Is true we would have peace with
Joy, but not the sort of peace our enc
mics would impose.
so long as we have to defend our
selves against those who want to take
part Of our territory we naturally are
unwilling to discuss peace: so long we
also are determined to hold out ana
for peace on any terms originates prob
ably in minds hoping that such Will be-
come the case.
Rumania No Surprise.
Tho minister then reviewed tho situ-
alton prior to Rumania's declaration OF
war, and said:
1--WE offered Rumania no territorial
concessions at any time after having
discovered, in the case Of italy, that
the world was likely to mistake our
reasonable attitude for weakness. Nor
were we ever taken by surprise by Ru-
mania. What did fool US was that Ru-
80 1,nr Ind q
1--WE knew in June, after the setting
In of the latest Russian offensive, that
Rome and Bratiano (the Rumanlan
premier) had made a definite bargain
We also knew that Rumania was not
quite ready toward the end of August
For all that, our military authorities
made all possible preparations. when
did not consist. as has been SAID IN
holding the mountain summlts aiia
passes along the Rumanian border. put
which consisted in the establishment OF
the line of defense now occupied by our
troops Contrary to the general I'M
preston, the falling back of our troops
has been of no advantage to the Ru-
manians, which fact has hnally GAVIN
ed on the Rumanian military command
ers. since they have become very eau
tious recently.
Trouble Expected.
THE military field is not my depart
ment. I know that Rumania's action
was no surprise, despite the fact that
the Rumanian diplomats lied to me
constantly. Toward the last their as
surances became too fervent and their
lying too patiently obvious; SO reached
the conclusion that trouble was not far
off.
whether the declaration Of war was
due on Sunday or Tuesday. I did not
know But felt 1t was due. because, IN
addition, the reports from Bucharest
indicated that the Russian pressure
was getting more severe each day, the
entente governments wanting to add
to the weight of their own futile OMEN
sives in the east and west and Salonikl,
the great impression the war declara-
ton was expected to make. but did, In
reality, not make, because we were
ready for it.
Bratiano Called to Taw.
IT will say that Bratiano played
good game, though. When the entente
finally had shown all its cards, Brati-
ano stiffened up in his own demands.
which were granted fully some time
before the outbreak OF the war. Then
Bratiano thought he would play the
part of taking from the Austro-Hun-
But the entente had its own notions.
which Bratiano learned when he was
told that he was mistaken II he thought
his role was merely taking pennies
from a dead man. He was instructed to
start Immediately. for only in helping
to down the central powers could he
hope to gain what he wanted. The
declaration Of war was, therefore,
transmitted.
well, Rumania will have a good
chance to rue her bargain. II / am not
mistaken The fact is. we are far from
completely dead, as some think"
hungarian Situation.
Asked the reason for the opposition
campaign against the Hungarian pre-
mier, Count Tisza, Baron Burian said 1t
was merely criticism. to indulge in
which the opposition had the right,
mingled to a certain extent with the
principle of "ote tot que je my mette,"
meaning Get off, that may take your
seat"
Baron Burian did not take the opposi-
tons move tragically, but regretted
that the opposition parties SO far
lacked tact as to start that sort Of
thing at the present time.
But such is politics" he exclaimed.
THE fact is, the men clamortng for
power would do the same thing as we
are doing. They are good patriots all.
Nor could they have done more"
Austria's Field Efficiency.
Replying to question as to the mon
archy's military and economic status
at this moment, the minister said he
had no anxiety on that score. But he
added:
Some think we are not doing enough.
In addition to holding the Italians
checked, we have managed to render
useless Brussiloffs great offensive.
which Is not exactly child's play: the
Russian soldier is a valiant and stub
born enemy"
Friendly to America.
The discussion then touched on Amer
lean Austro- Hungarian relatios. in the
course of which the correspondent re-
ferred to the note sent to the American
government In connection with the ex-