The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-23
By W. j. WEISSTNGER,
News Service Correspon-
dent

International News Service Correspon-
dent.
Washington. April 22.--Impendins
political upheavals among the CEN
trail powers stood out tonight for first
consideration by the British -Ameri-
can conferences to be begun here to-
morrow.
The admitted alarming food condi-
ton in Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary. the rumhlings of revolution
from those powers, the financial
crisis there, the lassitude of the Aus
tro-Hungarian military forces. the
seeming weakness of the German
military machine itself on the west
frontal these things, concentrated
produced a situation to be as care
the United States shall feed the en-
tente allies and help in n military way
to win the war.
That there is a probability that the
war will end as suddenly as it began
is admitted in official circles here to-
night Whether predictions of this
character are founded on no other
information than that which has been
given TO the public generally or upon
confidential reports from American
diplomats in Europe is unknown.
Reports Of startling developments
to he forthcoming within a few days
in Austria Hungary were being care
fully considered by all officials of the
government tonight 1t is certain
that the German autocracy. facing
disaster on the west front and be-
sieged by dissenters on all sides in
Berlin has yet more serious prob
lem to solve If they prevent the en-
tire collapse of the Austrian Bulga-
rian allies.
Secret Plea for Peace.
A plea by Austria Hungary for a
separate peace Is considered to be Inn
minent. Indications are that such a
plea already has been made secretly
and that It is now being considered
by statesmen of Italy. France and
England at the joint conference now
in session In Rome.
Because of the pressure that Ber-
lin would bring to prevent any such
agreement the negotiations upon
which a separate peace might be based
must Of necessity be kept secret un-
til a tentative agreement has been
reached.
From all indications, Austria Hun
gary as controlled by the new En-
peror Charles, would be willing to
give UP the captured Italian provinces
of the south and even to cede part
Of her most eastern boundary to her
enemies IL there is a chance OF es-
Gaping the war with her main pos
session intact.
The new emperor is known to have
been resentful OF the growing German
power over the dual monarchy ever
since ne succeeded to the throne,
With young mans spirit of inde-
pendence he has resented being placed
in a position almost entirely subor-
dinate to the German statesmen.
Charles succession to the throne.
more than any other thing. is said to
be responsible for the growing prob
ability of an open break with Ger
many While there are admittedly
civil and economic dangers confront
ing the empire. 1t is believed these
might be temporarily patched up ii
the conglomerate races In Austria
Hungary were really imbued with a
common desire to continue the war
to a successful conclusion. The lassi-
tude of the Austro-H Hungarian forces
on both the italian and the Russian
fronts Is considered to be highly sig
Virtual Truce Exists.
Not since Charles became emperor
has there been any important mill
tary- movement on any front. With
the spring far advanced the Austro-
HunKarians are making no attempt to
49, - vx~1faAaf3