Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-03-19
IS AUSTRIA HUNGARY
THE BRIDGE TO PEACE
(By George A. Schreiner)

Austria-Hungary has a definite
value as a factor in a movement fol
the promotion OF a world peace. Thai
value is still small, to be sure, but il
Is tangible.
In the preceding articles it has
been shown what the Dual Monarchy
is as a belligerent. Here l will de
lineate- her position as the most
amenable member of the group OF
warning nations to which she be,
longs.
AS check upon Germany the Dual
Monarchy. is invaluable. AS said be
fore the Austro Hungarian races
have no annexation programme.
They will not shed a single drop of
blood for territorial expansion at
home and certainly would not think
OF doing that In behalf of Germany.
On the day on which the entente
governments assure Austria. Hun
gary that she will not be penalized
for making peace with them, the
chances OF ending the European war
will be very bright. On the other
hand II might become necessary to
also guarantee her German ally the
status quo ante in the west.
Austria-Hungary does not want to
conQder peoples, has no designs of
expansion, and is keenly anxious for
the resumption OF friendly relations
with her enemies. I can state that
this is especially the aim of Count
Czernin, whose confidence l have had
the honor to enjoy. And what Count
CZernin does In foreign affairs meets
the unqualified approval OF Emperor
Charles, whose greatest quality of
craftsmanship It is to take sound
advice.
On the other hand we may look for
the unQuestioned support of Germany
by Austria-Hungary so long as the
issues of the battle encompass claims
upon territories considered German
by the Germans and Austro-Hun.
garian by the Austro- Hungarians
While Austria-Hungary is in no mood
to be stifled by a world-commanding
Germany, the country on the other
hand ia the last one to break her
pledges to an ally. That is a fact
to which all concerned might Just as
wen open their eyes now.
The bonds of real love between
Austro-Hungarians and Germans are
slender enough. The Prussian is
much disliked even among the Aus
trian Germans. He finds, in fact, his
only admirers in the Dual Monarchy
in certain circles of Hungarians-
that rather powerful element which
has come to admire military eff.
cheney. 1t Is respect rather than the
affection that may spring from
racial and national affinity which
holds the two allies together. There
have been times when presumptious
conduct on the part of men in Der.
lin has caused bad blood in Austria
and Hungary, but realization by the
latter that without the aid of the
German military machine Austria
Hungary might be a purely hstori.
cal term today is something which
has permeated the very being of the
German and Hungarian elements in
the country.
spent the greater part of three
years in Austria.Hungary, and dur
ing that time have nevE- been able
to observe what others claim to know.
Despite the fact that I had the
freest access to every office in the
ministry OF foreign affairs on the
Ballhausplatz, and was visitor
twice every day in my capacity as
correspondent, never saw the
slightest trace OF evidence that the
Austro-Hungarian government was
at all In the hands OF the men In
Berlin. To be sure, have come
across situations In which tho Vienna
government acceded to the wishes OF
Berlin. On the other hand | know of
an equal number OF cases In which
the opposite is true. The close mill.
tary and political cooperation which
has marked the conduct OF the war
by the Central Powers made thor.
ough understanding necessary.
But how the Vienna government
held out against the German govern
ment on many occasions Is perhaps
best illustrated by the fact that for
almost six weeks Emperor Charles
and Count Czernfn refused to be.
come party to the extended sub.
marine warfare. They finally &C.
dulesced because their own naval
experts were OF the opinion that the
use or the submarine would
shorten tho war
AZ the meeting which occurred at
no German general headquarters
bout January q. 1917, II was still n
uestion whether or not Austria.
hungary should Join Germany in her
ubmarine policy. The Germans
,ernaatvea ,vora dtyidod unnn That