Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-30

in the din of contradictions: 1t is dis
graceful"
Il would like also to mention that
Premier Ribot. after pacifist speech
by Deputy Tugagneur. replied that the
Russian generals had declared that the
Russian armies never were in better
condition or better equipped than then.
Here appears in perfect clearness the
desire to let the Russian people go on
shedding their blood in behalf OF the
unjust ambitions of France.
This desire has been fulfilled. but
not as Premier Ribot anticipated. for
we can hardly presume he had sucn
an absolute lack Of humanity as that.
Though foreseeing the failure Of the
Russian offensive, he yet insisted upon
it, thinking it would give another
hours respite pending the entry OF
America into the war.
The enemy press endeavors TO 1orce
upon my inaugural speech the inter-
probation that l only consented to the
majority resolution with an ill-con-
cealed reservation Of Germanys desires
for conquest. 1 am obliged to deny the
imputation as to an object OF when
there can be no doubt. Besides. the
resolution implies-which is quite clear
that the enemy must also renounce
any ideas of conquest"
Dr. Michaelis added that 1t was man
fest that Germany'S enemies were not
in the least considering such denunci-
alton. and that the French meeting.
held in secret. was fresh proof that her
enemies were responsible for the pro-
longation of the war and were "ac-
tuated by lust Of conquest"
1.-The conspicuousness of the justice OF
our defensive war" the chancellor con-
Guided, will steel our strength and
determination in the future
Ready for Honorable" Peace.
VIENNA. July 90 via Copenhagen.
July 30-Reiterating that Austria
Hungary was ready to accept an honor
able peace. but that the dual monarchy.
in conjunction with its allies, would
fight to the. last extremity II the en-
tente powers declined to enter negotia-
lions on the basis of a peace by under
standing, recently outlined by the
German imperial chancellor and the
reichstag. Count Ottokar Czernin Won
ChudenitZ the Austro-Hungarian fore
ign minister. in an interview today dis
cussei at length peace possibilities.
The Austrian statesman took occasion
to reply to the speech made by David
Lloyd George in London. July FL. when
the British premier characterized the
Dr. Michaelis. the German chancellor.
as a sham. The count said Mr.. Lloyd
George was mistaken when he repre-
scented the reichstag neace resolution to
be piece of bluff."
THE chancellor and the reichstag.
the foreign minister said. declared
that Germany was conducting de-
fensive war, and that the German
people only asked for an honorable
peace by means of an understanding
and an agreement Offering the basis
for a lasting reconciliation of the IA
lions. The chancellor and the reichstag
solemnly replied that the German
people desired no forced conquest and
abhorred economic isolation and in
citement to enmity between nations
after the war.
81 must reply to Premier Lloyd
George with the question, What are
we finally to expect from the entente?
What we desire is quite evident from
the well known declarations made in
Vienna and from the demonstration
by the German people showing that
complete agreement exists to the very
last detail between Vienna and Berlin.
What the chancellor and the reichstag
declared is what I described months
ago as an honorable peace. which the
Vienna government Is ready to accept
and whereby 1t seeks n lasting recon-
Citation of the nations But there also
exists the complete agreement that we
never shall accept peace which Is not
honorable for us.
IF tie entente does not wish to ent er
negotiations on the basis which we
have clearly indicated we shall con-
tinue the war and fight to the last ex-
tremity.
81 don't care whether this admission
Is regarded as a sign of weakness or
of strength. To me it seems only a
sign Of common sense and morality,
which revolt against the idea of pro-
longing the war 1 am absolutely con-
WINGED the entente will never succeed
in crushing us. and. since in our posi-
ton of defense we have no intention of
crushing the enemy. the war will end
sooner or later In peace by UNDER
standing. But, to my way of thinking
the natural conclusion is that the fur
Their sacrifices and suffering imposed on
all humanity are useless: and that IT Is
necessary in the interests Of humanity
to reach a peace by understanding as
soon as possible.
"As we have fought in conjunction
with our faithful allies, so we shall
make peace in conjunction with them,
now or later, and we shall fight in con-
junction with them to the last ex-
tremity unless the enemy shows a will
ineness to understand our viewpoint.
II shall not put the question who was
responsible for the war, because 1t is
useless to discuss the past in this
connection. But l shall speak of the
future. and ] wish to express the desire
that the world may succeed after the
conclusion of peace in finding adequate
means and expedients to prevent for
ever the recurrence of such a frightful
war
Every man with any moral feeling
must cooperate in this gigantic work
| All states must unite in efforts to pro-
cure guarantees which will make i'm
possible in the future such frightful
| disaster as the present world war. The
/ road may be difficult. but 1t is not i'm
possible"
| Referring to the internal situation
| Count Czernin said:
THE characterization of constitutions
| is the great demand Of the times
Both in Austria and in Hungary the
governments are putting their hands
| to this great work, but they are agains'
| Intervention from the outside. We dc
not intervene in the internal affairs Of
other states and we demand complete
reciprocity in this matter