New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-13
Both Nations, War-Weary
Said To Be Negotiating
Through Swiss
Washington Skeptical
Of Blind" Overtures
Russian Revolution and Food
Problems Believed To Be
Factors in Move

Washington. April 12.-Austran and
/ Bulgarian representatives are endeay
oring to approach Entente diplomats
in Switzerland on the subject Of peace.
Press dispatches to-day reporting Bull
garian efforts in this line developed
the fact that it is known here not
only that Bulgaria has taken sound
ings, but also that there has been simi-
lar action in the name of Austris-Hun-
gary.
Whether the two countries are work
ing separately or together is not
known, nor has any reference been
made to the attitude Of Germany or
Turkey.
Officials here see in the Austrian and
Bulgarian action merely an expression
of weariness with the war and anxiety
to bring it TO an end. without, however,
involving any indication of desperation
on their part which would make them
propose terms acceptable to the En-
tente. As a result there is every evil
dence that the informal efforts now be-
ing made mark merely a step in the
long road that will eventually lead to
peace and do not offer hope Of real
negotiations in the near future.
Entente Diplomats Unresponsiye
This opinion is strengthened by the
fact that the Entente diplomats have
not accepted the suggestions made TO
them for private conversations, but
have indicated, on the other hand, that
they will not go into any such discus
sion blindfolded. They have left the
/ impression that they stand on the gem
eral principles enunciated by their gov
ernments, that the Entente nations will
not enter a peace conference until
their enemies have made public their
terms.
Independent soundings by Austria
and Bulgaria, even if entirely tenta-
tive, have attracted interest here, how
ever. as showing tho dissatisfaction of
those two governments with the
course of the war, and their apparent
anxiety to negotiate directly and not
through the medium Of Germany. As
both these countries are reported to
be more eager for peace than their
more powerful ally, a degree of hope
ia felt that their exigencies may force
Germanv to a more moderate stand and
bring the gay of ultimate peace
nearer.
The recent public statement of Count
Czernin. Austrian Minister for For
eign Affairs. that the Central Powers
still stood ready for conference, and
the widespread comment upon it in the
nress. were interpreted here TO indi-
cate a growing desire for peace in the
Central Empires. Similar statements
By Bulgarian leaders strengthened this
viewpoint.
Russian Revolt Affects Austria
Austria is known TO have been deep
IL affected by war WEAKNESS and by the
Russian revolution. 1t IS generally felt
there that the Central Empires have
reached the maximum of their military
strength. and it is feared the upheaval
across the border may find decided
echo among Austria's conglomerate and
disafected peoples.
Food conditions, though satisfactory
in agrarian Hungary, are serious in
industrial Austria, and enthusiasm
among the people has fallen off alarm
ingly. Bulgaria likewise is troubled by
food shortage and the Russian revolu-
tion. The latter has brought again to
the surface the old friendliness for
the Russian people, and has injected
into the question the decision of the
ruling class to fight against their lib
orator. In strictly military sense,
however. Bulgaria is understood to be
stronger than at any time during the
war. a. her losses have been negligible.