Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-27
SINKING, Heartsiek Austria

pointing to the dawning glow of peace
In war-worn Austria. We have long
believed that Austria Hungary was
rapidly nearing the limit of financial.
physical and mental endurance. The
peace appeal has grown in six months
from a murmur TO ceaseless, out
spoken demand. The anti-Prussian
party is swelling proportionally to the
disappearance Of the empires young
men. The call for old men and boys is
the last straw. Every utterance Of
late, and from this on, is louder and
stronger for peace. The Popes pro-
posals came from Austria Hungary
rigidly Catholic Austria Hungary
reinforced by the heart broken cry
from two of the largest and most pow
erful Of the federated German states
Bavaria and Saxony-children Of the
church.
We may expect to see the church
figure in any peace terms, but peace
must come. perhaps by Austria Hun
gary throwing off the yoke Of German
eutocracy and turn ng with the world
against Prussianism. In the Pope's
proposals we find scant consideration
for italy and France, where church
and state have been separated. but
solicitude for the above mentioned
strongholds of Catholic favor We can
hardly expect the Balkan question to
be settled without regard to the cor
ficting ella ms Of Greek orthodoxy in
its various schismatc aspects, but the
larger question OF the hour, as shown
ir our Copenhagen dispatch Of Satur-
Gay morning is the immediate need OF
rest and recupcration from conflict.
The referred-to d spatch opens with:
Ar Austria which Is literally crying
fo1 peace. which has discarded any
thought OF territorial expansion and Is
even willing to buy its way out of the
war by territor al sacrifices on the ltal-
fan front and in Galicia; an Austria OF
frequent food riots. unable TO last
through another winter Of war; an
Austria whose population would rise
ir revolution if any reasonable peace
offer was re jected by the government,
is pictured by an intelligent Austrian
who has arrived here from Vienna"
A fourth winter in the trenches < the
horror Of Europe and We may safely
cay, worst Of all to the central powers.
None will ask VIII. for suggestion is
sufficient, In Germany and Austria
Hungary the last call, this old and
.feebl>r mon and the bog of II and u
years who have cot reached manhoods
strength and resistance 20 cold md
hunger, rc4rations and disease, has
rut hundreds of thousands in the
places Of the millions Of the fittest
slain, wounded or who have gone down
before trench fever and consumption.
y Can America picture her old mon ard
school boys sent 70 spend a winter in
tkese Shell holes IN hcll"'
But that is not the worst Of the pic
ture. lr Germany and Austria Hur
gary food scarcity has become a living
hunger, a semi-fast Of months md
years. without fats 10 resist cold. and
q shortage of clothing and fuel. The
American embargo on foods and wer
necessities has given the prospect Of
another winter in the trenches an in
descrbable dread that chlls the hearts
OF the masses in the central empires
On our side the dread Of another
winter is bad enough but light in "om-
paYison to the lot Of our enemy. On
the part of England and Franco. Italy
and Russia, the prospects are even bet
ter thar in previous winters, for not
only have they themselves reached a
far more satisfactory stage of equip
ment and preparation. but America has
come in with its wealth and its power,
IT'S supplies Of clothing, foods, and
comforts, its thousands Of strong
hearted, courase-inspiring, cheer
bringing soldiers. Americas heart and
hand will be felt in the trenches next
winter, II the war goes on-but may il
not be Gods will to end thi. horror Of
horrors, when Austria Hungary shall
have divorced herself from the bandit
gang Of pr1lssianisro