Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-05-24
Peace Move Initiated at Pope's Re
quest, Amsterdam Hears-Aus-
trian Minister Resigns.

CatnOilc newspaper 1yu says IL ult
derstands on good authority that II
accordance with the wishes Of Pope
Benedict the Austrian Court is initial.
ing new peace effort.
New York, May 24.--Peace with
Russia and the hope that this years
crops would be better than those Of
last year nave during recent weeks
been the sole factor in whatever op-
timism existed in Austria Hungary
concerning the outcome of the Euro
pean war.
| 1t was thought that reaching an un-
derstanding with Russia would cause
the entente governments to also enter
negotiations for peace, OF N the ab-
sence of such an inclination on their
part, release the Central Power troops
on the East front for operations
against the Italians and the Allies
on the West front
This failing a crop at least as good
or better than last seasons appeared
to most classes the only cause for
seeing anything bright in the future.
The Government shared this view and
this led to several attempts by it to
give the Russians to understand that
peace with the Central Powers could
be obtained under conditions consider
ed favorable in Berlin and Vienna.
Those interested in public susten-
ance matters in tria-Hungary
realize that only the very best OF
seasons could give the country crop
as good even as last years. 1t would
take the most exceptionally favor
able weather to make these crops.
Austria Hungary was before the
war an exporter of foodstutfs and
the area of arabic land does not en-
ter into the question of war crops.
For land not cultivated intensively
food production in the monarchy has
become largely matter OF iertlllzing.
This is especially true Of Hungary.
Farms depending upon intense cult1-
walton have fallen short IN crop re-
turns principally for the reason that
the necessary labor has not been
available. In Austria this mas been
the principal cause for the recent
bad crops, though here also a short
age in fertilizers, especially in man
ure. has been severely felt: The soil
Of Central Europe has been worked
so long and persistently that only
the closest attention in fertilization
and tilling produce good crops.
Farming in Austria-Hungary, as in
Germany, has for the las, two years
taken much more out of the soil tnan
it was possible to return to it, the
suit being that two crops have been
raised on what may be considered be-
ing T he reserve store Of the elements
needed to produce a crop. WITH the
duration of the war the possibilities
of keeping the soil in good condition
have decreased constantly, so that
today most farm land in Central Eu-
rope may be considered as being on
the verge of exhaustion. Inc best
# weather this year could not pro-
duce a good crop, according to many
land owners with whom the subject
was discussed.
A lack of vitriol, principal lngre-
dent in spraying solution used 10
free crop plants from parasites mas
heen serious factor In poor crop
rot,,rns in the monarchy. in many
nar+s If has led to total failures III
potato crops. and many Of Austria
Hungary's splendid vineyards ana
! orchards nave Deeit iui''S
vitriol, being copper product eou'0
not be obtained.
The crop outlook in Austria-Hun-
earv for this year must be looked
upon as being far from good IL IS no
worse than that of Germany, how
ever Both countries labor under the
same disadvantages, to which the
present year has so far added late;
ness in spring planting and sowing
London, May pa Central New:
dispatch from Amsterdam says thai
the Hungarian Cabinet, or whlct
I Count Tisza was Premier, mas re
signed. ..r
i Count Tisza, the "iron man" o1
: Austria-Hungary, has been for man.
years the leader of the pro-Germa'
nartv in the Dual Monarchy and wa
the last survivor of the little group o
statesmen who surrounded Empero
:, Francis Joseph when the Europea
;, War began.