Middletown transcript., 1917-06-02
Events in Austria-Hungary Are
Indicative of a Break With
Germany.
kAISER'S MAN, TISzA, IS OUT
Frances Reply to Russia's Peace Pol.
icy-ItaIians Make Another Big Ad-
vance Toward Trieste-House of
Representatives Passes Great
est of War Tax Bills.
BY EDWARD w. PICKARD.

Austria-Hungary stepped into the
limelight last week, and the develop
ments in the dual monarchy were not
calculated to please Kaiser Wilhelm.
In the first place, Count Tisza, pre-
mier of Hungary, the iron man" who
for years has been the leader of the
pro-Germans of Austria-Hungary, was
finally forced out of Office, together
with his entire cabinet. Then came
the story, from a Swiss Catholic paper,
that Empress Zita had publicly stated
that Austria would soon be at peace,
a consummation for which both she
and the emperor had been striving.
This statement of the empress was
borne out by the peace discussions in
the Vienna papers. They printed Aus
tria's reputation of annexation and
indemnity claims with reference to
Russia, and then went to the astonish-
ing length of announcing that Austria
was ready to abandon all claims to ad-
ditional territory on its southern from
tier, meaning in the Balkans, and even
might consider Italy's claims to Trieste
and the Trentino. If all this is true,
Austria-Hungary is ind Led tired of the
war and may be speedily approaching
the breaking point with Germany.
Trying to Hold Russia Steady.
The socalled passing of the crisis in
Russia has not relieved to any great
extent the anxieties Of the other allies
as to the future conduct of that ma
ton. Its armies still rest passive
along the eastern fronts, the soldiers
fraternizing with the common enemy,
despite the appeals of War Minister
Kerensky and others of the govern
ment Admiral Goltchak, commander
of the Russian Black sea fleet, after
visit to the front, said: "The army
may be said to have practically con-
cluded peace with Germany at mo-
ment when a Russian offensive might
have played q decisive part in the Eu-
ropean campaign" Albert Thomas,
French minister of munitions, told the
workmen's and soldiers delegates in
Moscow that thousands of French and
British soldiers were perishing while
awaiting Russia's cooperation, on
which they had right to count. Gov
ernment officials and delegates all ad-
nit these facts, but they seem to have
small effect on the individual soldiers.
Addressing a convention of Russian
army and navy commanders, command
er in chief Alexieff pleaded with them
to bring the soldiers back to their
duty, and to stand firm for the prose
cution of the war, and this they prom
ised with great enthusiasm.
The council of peasants deputies
on Thursday passed resolution sup
porting the present government and
ministry.
Ribot Tells Frances Aims.
The ruling powers in Russia, If they
can be called such, cling to the idea
that the other entente allies can bt
brought to adopt the policy of peace
without anneXatiOns or indemnitieS
and desire a conference for the pur
pose of modifying the demands to bt
made on the central powers. Premier
Ribot's reply to this is that restoration
of lost provinces is not to be consid
cred annexation, and that indemnit!
for ravages in invaded lands is con
tribution which is inflicted as a fin'
for wrong done, a requirement which
both law and equity demand. France
he said, could not Oppress any nation
ality, even that of its enemies, and i
seeks, not vengeance, but justice.
When reports of this speech reached
Washington the state department lie