New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-20
Will Not Confer While
Entente Insists on Crush
ing Empire
WILSON'S OFFICES
BELIEVED FUTILE
Allies Can Relieve Situa-
lion by Modifying Atti-
tude, Says Vienna

vienna. NOV. lH.-lntcreSt IN inc an
nouncement received in Vienna that
President Wilson intends taking con
orc.e action in behalf of peace con-
tinuos undated, though in many Aus
trisn circles the view is held that the
attitude of the Entente Powers will
render Mr.. Wilson's good Offices futile.
Il is argued in government circles
and in the press that so long as the En-
tcnte nations adhere to the programme
recently reiterated by Premier Asquith
and Niscount Grey there is really no
occasion for Austria Hungary TO show
great interest in the proposed action,
as the Entente government officials as
serted that the war detectives were not
discussable.
This aspect. it is pointed out IN gov
crnment circles, could only be changed
by a readiness of the Entente to pro-
coed from a quite different base. With
the Entente willing to discuss peace on
terms Of the establishment Of pre-
war conditions, so modified as to take
into account the suffered interests OF
the Central Powers, Austria-Hungary's
attitude might be expected TO change
Entente Attitude Too One-sided
As the matter stands, certain govern
ment circles hold that little can be
gained by declaring readiness to
meet the Entente on a peace preliml-
nary so long as the latter has failed 10
indicate that il would be content with
much less than the recent speeches
made in London show. 1t is felt by
Austrian officials that the acceptance
Of an invitation for such conference,
with the Entente holding out for a
programme which is little short of the
total humiliation of the Central Pow
crs and their allies. would be equal TO
acknowledging that the Central Powers
were ready to secure peace on any
terms.
While President Wilson's good inten-
tons arc not in the least doubted, and
while his offer might gladly be ac-
cepted. it is pointed out that the En-
tente Powers would gain undue and
unjustihed encouragement if Austria
Hungary were TO pit its own modest
claims against those of the Entente
still seeking the Dual Monarchy's dis
memberment.
There is no doubt in the minds of
Austrians in a position to know that
the Central Powers are ready for nego-
tiations. but nothing short of the CON
ditions outlined in the foregoing would
induce them in the present military
situation to join a conference such as
is understood here to have been pro-
posed by President Wilson.
Press Opposes Blind Conference
The second instalment of Austrian
press comments mirrors this strongly.
The first warm welcome given out TO
the Wilson idea gradually Is making
room for the attitude that TO send del
egates to a preliminary conference
with the Entente still insisting upon
! the emasculation of the Central Powers
is unthinkable.
In view. of these facts it may be an
nounced that peace negotiations of any
: sort, even a preliminary conference for
defining the minimum claims of all the
belligerents, will remain impossible Sc
/ long as the Entente Powers do not be-
forehand indicate readiness to aban-
don their present attitude.
Though Austria Hungary is not
averse to Selling the opportunity to
demonstrate in conference under Amer
I lean auspices her protestations made in
the past, it is argued that entering
negotiations on such an unequal basi:
as the Ententes attitude toward the
+ Central Powers gives would be pay
4 ing too high a price for even the inter
esting spectacle of having. the Entente
I governments inform President Wilson
i they had nothing 10 arbitratc.