The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-25
Interests Are Less Incoms
patible Than They Seem
Says Czernin
COMMENTS ON THE
WILSON SPEECH
"SeveraI Points To Which
Austria Can Joyfully
Subscribe"
~ Asgoclated PreEs.l }


London, Jan. 25.-Austria has de-
cided to continue peace negotiations
with Russia on the basis Of no ana
nexations and no indemnities, ao-
cording to a Vienna dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph company quot
ing from Count Czernin's address
before the reichsrath-
Il demand from Russia not q metre
! Of territory, not a centime Of in~
demnity', the foreign minister ia
quoted as having said, and peace
can be obtained If Russia maintains
the same standpoint, as she evident
ly intends to do.
'It is obvious to me-, said Count
Czernin, that an exchange of views
between America and Austria Hun
gary might form the starting point
for a conciltatory discussion among
all states which have not yet entered
into peace negotiations.
Austria-Hungary and America,
Count CzeTnin said, were two bellt-
gerentB whose interests were less IN
compatible than they seemed. He
characterized the speech Of President
Wilson regarding war aims as an im-
portant advance toward the Austro-
Hungarian viewpoint, which contain
ed some proposals in which Austria
Hungary would gladly join.
The foreign minister said the pop
ulation Of Poland would decide its
own fate. The Polish question must
not delay peace one day. If Poland.
after the war, wished to advance to-
ward Austria Hungary, such an ad-
vance would be welcomed.
Interpretation Of the right Of free
action Of peoples had caused a differ
ence between Russia and Germany,
Ia harW
promise must be reached, The diff
ferences Of view were not great
enough to Justify abandonment OF
the peace negotiations.
Commenting on the IL points in
President Wilson's war aims speech,
Count CEernin said. according to an
Exchange Telegraph dispatch from
Copenhagen, that Austria-Hungary
and America were virtually IN agree
ment regarding the great principles
Tor new arrangements after the war.
Basel, Switzerland, Jan. IA dis
patch from Vienna says that during
an address to the delegations OF
parliament, Count Czernin, the Aus-
tro-Hungarian foreign minister. de-
clared that he considered President
Wilson's last propositions regarding
peace as showing a perceptibla ap-
proach TO the Austro- Hungarian
point Of view. There were, he said.
several points to which Austria-
Hungary Joyfully could subscribe,
but that the following principle first
must be laid down:
That where these propositions
concerned AuBtrta-Hungarys allies.
as in the case Of Germany in Bel
gtum, or Turkey. Austria Hungary
was faithful to her alliance and
would fight to the end for the defense
Of her allies.
Poland Should Choose.
Poland should freely and without
influence choose her lot, said
Count Czernin.
He declared that ne would gladly
have seen Poland take part IN the
peace negotiations, for he considered
Poland an independent state, but the
government did not recog-
nize the present Polish governments
to speak In the name OF
Poland, so he had not insisted. in
order to avoid q conflict.
Count Czernin explained Germany'a
to evacuate occupied
territories before a popular vote was
taken because such evacuation would
break up the organizations, com
nunications, industries and admin
l6NAAh4DtAb WHICH are In German
hands. with the result OF producing
anarchy and utter misery. Negotia-
tionss declared the minister. need
time, and he added:
When we have reached peace with
Russia. general peace cannot long
be prevented despite the efforts 81
the entente statesmen"
Count Czernin declared that he
must politely, but categoricafly re-
fuse President Wilson's advice on
Austro- -Hungary's internal admins
lration. There was no parliament
more democratic than Austria's ne
said.
Agrees With Many Items.
The foreign minister said he did
not object to the suppression be
secret diplomacy, especially It that
meant the suppression OF secret
treaties.
President Wilson's article On ths
freedom Of the seas, said Count
gzernin, was an absolutely satisfac-
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