The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-02-15
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS


UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Copyright, 1918 by United Press.)
ZURICH, Switzerland, Feb. H.
Austrian workers, before taking up
their tools following the recent strikes
did these three significant things:
Laid down conditions forcing For
eign Minister Czernin to adhere to
the Wilsonian program.
Sent n delegation to Emperor Carl,
who stated: "Peace is my only aim,
day and night"
Formed a permanent committee to
maintain watch on the government
and force it to keep its promises.
The same causes which unclaimed
the strike continue. Another and
graver social disturbance is possible
any day. The Austrians want peace
and are opposed to dying for Pan
German dreams OF conquest.
! know for fact that an Austrian
official now in Switzerland declared
Austria is ready to accept President
Wilson's peace terms. The Austrian
rulers are afraid of the future, espe
cially If the war continues. They have
already had to back down to avoid
trouble.
The strong, new Hungarian party
plans a separate Hungarian army
The Karolyi party refuses to join the
government party because it wants an
Independent Hungary. The Tisza party
is undecided.
The Czechs are suspicious toward
Germany and have asked appointment
of an Austro-Hungarian council to
watch their interests in the peace con
ference. The Pan-Germans are equal
ly suspicious Of their neighbors and
are calling each other names.
But the masses Of the countries feel
the same-the cry Of both people is
for bread and peace.
The Bolsheviki movement is ram.
pant and growing in Austria-Hungary
and the country is menaced by revolu.
ton and ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The mon
archists are scared, as are the Pan.
Germans, who are keenly aware OF
events.
The Austrian Bolsheviki are headed
by Otto Bauer, who recently returned
from Russia where he was held pris.
oner.
(Recent United Press dispatches
from Petrograd stated the Bolsheviki
had decided to appoint Bauer their
ambassador at Vienna.)
The movement is spreading rapidly
among the Czechs, Jugo-Slavs, and
kindred races who are demanding an
immediate peace and liberty.
The recent strikes probably had
nothing in common-the movement
was spontaneous.
The workers were ordered to re-
turn after As hours, the leaders say
ing they were not consulted by the
strikers.
The fact is Austro-Hungary is hard
hit by the war. The people are suf-
fering enormously.
The Vienna Economic Neues report
ed $4,000 deaths in Vienna in 1917,
against $4,000 births. There were
over 10000 deaths from tuberculosis
which was enormously increased on
account Of the poor food.
Z statement was made in the Aus
trian parliament that half the deaths
in Austria during 1917 resulted from
tuberculosis. 1t was estimated there
were 10000 deaths from that cause
in Austria last year. At Prague in
one week, deaths from consumption
exceeded births.
With the Bolsheviki movement
hourly gaining which may at any time
link up with the recent strikers, and
both with the Socialists, 1t is small
wonder that Austria fails to view
offensive favorably.
Likewise, there are reasons for ter
ror gripping the hearts of war party
members.
Austria is in no position to con-
tinue an unpopular war The linden.
burg crowd realizes the end must
come soon.
Therefore, the offensive must not
be delayed lest Austria fall to pieces
and with her. Prussia.