Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-07
Austria Determined on Peace.


A few days ago we dealt editor
tally with the possibility Of peace COM
lag through the determination of Aus
tria to, escape the world hatred Tor
Germany, apparent everywhere be-
cause OF her inhuman practices In the
name of war. We pointed out that
Austria Hungary has seen the sure
result of Prussian atrocities. wnile
herself holding none of the bitterness
toward England, France, Russia ana
America, that is proclaimed from Pots
dam and Berlin. We hoped for de-
termined and continuous attempt on
the Part Of Austria, for peace, even the
possibility OF a separate peace with
one or more of the entente allies.
On Monday (this week. the New
York World publishes a copyrighted
story from Stockholm presenting much
the same hope, embodied in the deVel-
cprnent Of events at the Austrian cap
!tal. This writer claims that En-
peror Charles is bent on economic m
dependence of Germany and has his
heart set on reconciliation with the
United States
Just how much reliance may be
placed upon these indications or
course it is impossible to declare, but
every tendency Of recent weeks mas
convinced us that peace is not far
away and that it is more than likely
to come through Austria's reading OF
the handwriting on the wall.
Emperor Charles and his advisers
know that all hope Of indemnify mas
gone glinmering: that his country
must inevitably fall under the topping
mountain Of paper money which will
prove an insufferable burden upon the
people even were the war to end to-
day; that the money with which the
central allies are doing business at
home is subject to a heavy discount
Outside the borders Of those nations;
that the gold supply with which to buy
of neutrals is rapidly becoming ex-
hausted and that the situation can
never be any better unless some un-
yooked-for and wholly improbable
overwhelming disaster befalls one or
more Of the entente allies.
Austrians know that the financial in
huence Of America spells disaster to
the central allies without an American
soldier crossing the water.
For months these considerations have
been forced upon the great people who
have been led by the nose by Prus-
sianism. The break must come sooner
or later, and, we predict, if not soon
we shall awake some morning to read
of an overthrow in Austria Hungary.
There is no question Of the growth of
the intense anti-German feeling as
we'll as a pro. Russian tendency.
Demonstration stares in the faces
Of central European rulers. But in
the same hour arises the spectre Of ex-
hsusted gold, ruined commerce and no
hope Of a nickel from any peace set
tlement to pay for all the billions Of
dollars and millions Of lives expended.
Today Germany realizes that the
dreams Of Prussianism were ONLY
dreams. and that war has proven a
sad, sad failure. a failure that is swell
ing tremendously with every hour.
But Germany is not yet ready to ad-
NIT these things and Austria is.
From that basis the peace demand
will grow until Prussianism LAYS down
its arms never to take them up again.
Pressure on Germany is hourly in
creasing, at home and abroad. From
without. preponderance of guns and
men; from within a recognition Of the
end sure to come.