The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-10
OFFENSIVE IS
STARTED IN MEXICO
Pro German Newspapers In Capital of
Republic Launch Propaganda in In
tcr>iev From Austrian Minister.

Brow nSStite- / fk.s tGt- Germany
ard Austria have launched sweeping
peace offensive sn Mexico. according 10
copies Of the pro-tferman newspapers
published III Mexico city These pa
pers are publishing much matter bear
ing on the question of efforts Of Aus
tria and Germany 10 obtain peace, all
representing that such efforts are be-
Ing treated with xcorn h4- The allied
governments. wh" evidently are deter
mined ON n policy Of EXTERN nation Of
the central powers
The peace offensive was launched in
Mexico CITY by the publication Of h
long interview with koiomon ksnia
Won kanya. Austrian minister 10 Mex
100, who outlined Austrian efforts TO
obtain peace and The reception Of these
efforts ny the entente nations The
interview. as translated here. TIA part
follows
The whole world knows that Aus
ira has assumed a purely defensive po-
aitlon in this war When Afe hdise
Francis Ferdinand. the heir apparent
to the throne of the dnal Kingdom. Was
slain IN sAra5eNo the Austrian gov
ernneni made the necessary protest.
whereupou Austria was instantly at
tackled by Russia, Austria had to de-
send herself against four aggressors--
Russia serbia, Italy and Rumauis~~-
supported on the seas by the Anglo
French msxte4 This defensive night ia
now ended vietoriousiy by the eitmi-
nation Of Russia and It's Yassal serbia.
and by convincing Rumants that IL is
better for its future W.ii-Aetng to ANTE
llself with tie central enpirsS
The rev Ramanian government
now tarGs frankly tps ard liermAn& and
BnS{F3a> tsfa eAesgf4Sayst ss{Stas M ~ I'll tta
hefpad atso bY- ffts- tremendous defeat
of italy last year which has made IL
impossible for the Italians 10 invade
cur territory once its frontiers are
free from the aggressions u its enc
mics, Austria mich has never sought
conqUests. has made lts strong spirit
Of Cancellation felt by Az nations Have
any benefits been derived from AUS
tria's nesce proposals Ne. All oar
efforts have been In vain
This is proof enogga ~ tho amhi-
ton OK our enemies H. IN suite OF
THIS. Austria repeats it's peace proposals
today II is only because Of the grow
ing desire pf an nations of he world
to establish neac., and with the firm
conviction based on four Years of war.
that the allies have never aecoTnplt
an absolute victory over the powerful
central empires Our troops, which
have fought against forces superior In
mum Der. conu0erfng their innumera bic
=
trained Americans. who are now the
only and last hope OF oHr enemies. This
opinion is not = biased one. but has
hecn expressed by military critics OF
the entente Including the celebrated
Colonel Remington
-"on their part. the central empires
never attempted the eomplst" annihs-
latfon OF their enemies All they look
for ~ the assurance Of their terrific
rial integrity. which is " hat they have
not completely gained. These last
r,rRt.v rropost,4S indicate tn me that
Austria understands that 10 continue
the fight means only to sacriitce nun
dreds Of thousa uds of lives. Baron Bu-
rtsr's note can he considered as soi-
emn protest before the whole world
against such inhumane proceedings
Apparently all the members OF the
uuadrupic alliance fear that these pro-
posaIs win be successful That Is why
certain politicians among the aiiies
have EXPRESSED themselves upon the
PROPOSALS In forms seldom employed in
international practice
1T they think to intimidase Austria
by.thiS THEY are mistaken. An tnifia-
tiyes ia inspired only by sincere love
for peace. not because We fear that
II the war goes on the central powers
win lose For If we thought so. Baron
Burian would not have said during the
preliminary peace negotiations, We
shall not cease our war activities for
a. minute"
nns