Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-24
. .AUSTR|A-HUNGARY
HOLDS WHIP HAND
NOW OVER GERMANY
Dual Monarchy Has Passed
From Passive Role to One
Threatening Row.
MASSES CuAMORING FOR
PEACE, WORK AND FOODS
Partial Promises Have Resulted
in Hating Strikes Involv-
ing Million Persons.
WILL FORCE BAG KDOW
Kaiser Assigns Won HertIing and Or.
kuehIman to Talk Peace at
Next Rcichstag.
WILL FORCE BAckDowN

AMSTERDAM, January o3.-itor the
first time in the war, Austria Hungary
holds the whip hand over Germany.
Overnight almost tho dual monarchy
has passed from tho passive role of
aubHid iary, moro bothcrsomc than
hclptul' factor in the kaisers Mit.cl-
Europa scheme to tho part of "a threat
cnins. dominating and debating mem
bcr OF tina, firm
Herein lies the transccndant sisnifi-
cance OF the news that inc through
during the last twcnty-four hours from
the two Icutonic capitals
Austria -llduEary's peace ella morinR
masses, it was learned, have quictcd
down only upon one condition. namely.
that their rulers now and Immediately
force backdown OF tho German an
ncXationists and make pcacc-with
Russia as Il beginning. but preferably
q general peace.
Promptly the crisis switched from
the Danube empires interior to be-
tween Vienna and Berlin. Its central
!igure is Count Won Czernin the Austro-
hungarian Foreign Minister.
Eoishevikism. while nassins away at
the groundwork OF the ilapsburr
monarchy. has at tho same time placed
into Hapsburg hands povcrfu,
weapon with which TO cut themsclvc,
ioosc from vassalaEc 10 the Hohcnzol-
lcrns.
This weapon Count Won Czerntn be-
gan to flourish to-day. With 1t he
means to force the German Junkerist
backdown. and then peace with Russia
without annexation. Failing in that.
he Will have the alternative of making
separate peace with Russia as the
only avenue of escape frpm an Austro-
hungarian internal backdown
In either case, he, and, through him
iAustria-iiunGary. will he the gamer
and Germany the loser. In either case.
also. Boishevikism will be the gamer,
since 1t is the movin. power behind the
whole drama.
KAISER SENDS MEN TO
REICHSTAG TO TALK PEACE
Tomorrow Count von IIertlinr. tho
German Chancellor, and Or. Won Kuchl-
mann. Foreign Minister are scheduled
TO speak on peace in the ReichstaE
At the same time Count Czernin is ex-
pccted to speak at Vienna. Count
C@ernin. IL was seen from ,o-day's
news, has strcng gthcncd Austria's po-
siiion immcasurably by his steadfast
adherence to the Russian formula o.
no anneXations.' The speeches to-
morrow are expected TO show precisely
now wide is the gap between Berlin
and Nicrsla on this issue.
with the reported partial amcliora-
ton in the political unrest In Austria-
Hungary and a continuation of siicnc.
as regards the internal situation in
Germany. the notable feature In the
world war is the apparent RESUMPTION.
and on somewha; large scale of thc
military operations on the western
front In France and Belgium
! From the North Sea to the SUis,
frontier. the iesscnins in the risors OF
winter has permitted the beliigercpts
again to send forth their men in en-
tcrpriscs which seemingly forecast tho
intention shortly TO resume fighting ac-
! tlVit% more extensively
INFANTRY Is PREPARING
TO RESUME OPERATIONS
For weeks the big guns along the
entire battle front have been roaring
III intensive duels on numerous sectors.
but the infantry has lain idle owing
to the deep SHOWS and later to the
morasses which formed as result of
the thaw.
on their extreme right in Northern
belgium the Germans have carried ou.
AN important raid" and gained a foot
ING IN FRENCH advanced trenches cas-,
OF Nieuport. white along nearly all OF
the front in Flanders the artiller!cs
nave increased the volume of their
/ fire.
To the south around Lens. Arras and
81. quentin the lighting, although stiIl
by comparatively snail forces daily Is
growing in strength. while eastward
along the Chcnin dcs Danes, past Vor-
dun and thence to the Swiss border the
French and Germans arc continually
engaged on various sectors in artii-
! lcry lighting and in infantry activities
considerably above the normal, as COM
( pared with the early days OF the war.
/ On tho from: in Italy the change IN
/ the high command evidently has not
1 resulted as yet in any bettcrmcnt OF
/ tho strategic positions OF the .Austro-
German armies From the Asiago
plateau eastward to tn. Piave River
Sea the Italians again have been vic
torious. i'll numerous minor operations
raidins enemy positions and bringing
back prisoners machine guns and ma
terialS. or holding in their tracks Aus
tro-German elements which were en-
deavoring to launch attacks.
The greater portion OF the strikin.
workmon in Austria arc said TO have
returned to work, bu, the situation
both in Austria and Hungary 10 de-
clared still TO be acute owing TO the
desire OF tho people for peace In Ger