Evening star., 1918-05-19
Austrian Ruler Turns Back on
Highest Ideals of Civiliza-
ton in New Alliance.
FEAR OF BERLIN'S "GAD"
POSSIBLY REAL CAUSE
Forced to Throw Kingdoms in Bal
ance as Guarantee of Future
Loyalty.
HIS PEOPLES TO SUFFER
Poles, Czechs and Slovacs Sure to
Feel Iron Hand if Thev Per-
HIS PEOPLES TO SUFFER
Poles, Czechs and Slovacs Sure to
Feel Iron Hand if They Per-
sist in Nationalistic
Ambitions.
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.


ton that he may slnirk and fawn
at the feet Of the worlds great
est violator of Christian princi-
pies. Emperor Charles of Austria
betrays his peoples and himself
He has bowed completely before
the will of the kaiser. He has
enslaved himself forever and
pawned the best interests of his
empire. He no longer stands as
a conscientious young ruler who
hearkens to his better instincts.
He no longer stands as a pillar
Of strength for his people to rally
about. He no longer occupies
the position of being the one
ruler in the hatred quadruple al
lance that can be trusted by the
world at large. He no longer
can have hope of leading his
monarchy from the vale of blood
and tears to the green pastures
OF content, prosperity and unde-
filed happiness. He no longer
can be deemed courageous, but a
vacillating puppet, whose only
wish is to applaud acts of a
barbarous, ruthless militaristic
power, which, devoid of all con-
science and better instinct,
tramples the rights of the weak
into the dust. Emperor Charles
today has not only won scorn
for himself in world powers, but
even Berlin must hold him in
contempt.
y
When Emperor Charles with his
chief advisers. Foreign Minister Bur-
ian and Field Mar
Cl0aea n0nr fn shall Won ArZ
oe Straussenburg, con-
or William. Count Won Hertling. For
eign Minister Won Kuehlmann, Won
Hindenburg and Ludendorf at the
German grand headquarters during
the past week. and there entered into
q far-reaching alliance which will
many. he not only placed a yoke of
bondage upon the millions of people
whose destinies he swore to safe
guard along truly nationaliStic lines,
but he closed the door to possibly the
greatest service he could perform to
suffering mankind. He forever ended
the possibility of his bringing about
a separate peace and consequent end
to the world struggle which is en-
gulnng all humanity.
pa
has shown spirit of conciliatfon.
He. however. to avoid the wrath of
Berlin and dire punishment at the
hands of great German armies, has
tried to appease the kaiser by WELD
ing his sword with one hand while
with the other he has waved an olive
branch before the eyes of the allies.
His efforts undoubtedly. sooner or
later. would have borne fruit-just as
soon as the sincerity in his peace de-
mands was proven-but now his
chances have ended
The Austrian emperor is placed in
the same category as the kaiser ex-
cept that where the kaiser at least
has the appearance Of being strong
the Austrian emperor now definitely
In placed in the class of weaklings.
In connection with the alliance
which has been ushered in by the
two central powers a possible mis-
take of the allies in revealing EN-
peror Charles letters to Prince Six
tus is brought to the surface. The
revelations came in time for the kali
younger ally and thereby save the
Quadruple alliance. Fearing the
wrath of the German emperor at the
present. the Austrian emperor has
quate explanations and give promises
of future good behavior. but has been
forced to throw his kingdoms in the
balance in order to fully atone for his
tees of continued loyalty. Though
Emperor Charles once may have de-
sired peace at almost any price, ex.
cept concrete national dismember-
ment, he now is forced to accept tacit
dismemberment without peace
The alliance which has been usheret
in between Germany and Austria
Hungary through the medium of the
recent conference is political. eco.
nomfc and military in character.
The pan-Germans of Germany have
won their demand that the dual mon.
archy be taken in hand by the firme,
elements of Germany and be taught
the true principles Of Prussian fright
fulness. Germany has noted tn,
gradual slipping of Emperor Charles
hand from the helm of state Sh.
has witnessed the increasing demands
of the Polish. Czechs and Siovene ele
ening. as they do. the collapse of Aus
trtan endeavor in the present war
She has been aggrieved at Austria
1oathness in furnishing desired mill
tary units and equipment for tn,
hghting of Germany's battles on th
western front. Germany has stoo,
fearful lest Austria might succeed II
breaking from her alliance and con
clude q peace with Germany's enc
mics which would have meant tn
collapse of Teutonic aspirations i,
the present struggle and forced tn
central powers to beg whatever the,
could get from enemy powers at tn
peace table.
1t - but natural that the kaiser an.
his war lords should bring Empero
Charles to bool
Berlin Will Strive a, the 'presen
for Unifcation. ,nnepure ,na m,,t,,.'' nefot sa,
sis has developed further. in order t
insure united Teutonic endeavo
throughout the remainder of the wal
Germany will do everything within
ner power to unity the political, mill
tary and economic situations in Ger
many and Austria-Hungary so tina
future efforts of both these nation
will be as one.
1t cannot be questioned that En-