The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-11

Inadequate. In view of the fact that vital questions are concerned, the dura- ton of the alliance must not depend continually on the feelings at the mo- ment. Successive treaties of short dura- tion lapse. The union must be so inti- mate that the idea of separation prac- ticaIly would be out of the question and the center of gravity of the alliance must be laid in an economic union.' After explaining why such a union offered bright prospects, Herr Von Payer said that all these advantages would be
 increased if Poland and the northern bor- der states were joined economically with the central empires. They would be en- hanced enormously if in 8 loose form Russia and Bulgaria and perhaps Turkey also participated. The vice chancellor continued:
 All must finally become a great united region of intercourse with uniform inter- ests. Concurrently with the gradual dis appearance of customs duties and from tiers there must be unification or far reaching rapprochement of economic leg islation, especially trade and industrial tariffs and the care of labor.
 Such cooperation. however, is only to be thought of in conjunction with the maintenance or In6 pOllliCdl llQGp6IO- ence of the empires concerned while mutual consideration and united action in connection with questions of foreign policy are necessary.
 Political cooperation must be sup ported by an understanding on military questions. If the states are bound to- gether by a treaty of protection they must bear proportionately the burdens of this protection and all would then have an identical interest in the simplifica- ton and appropriate extension of mili- tary institutions.
 EFFECT OF MILITARY UNITY
 The, experiences of the present war have shown what similar training in arm ing. equipping and supply system mean in facilitating the conduct of a war and what difficulties their absence has en- tailed. The military authorities would easily come to understanding as to what is necessary in this direction
 "It would be indeed fine if general disarament would be arranged with the conclusion of peace. Let us take stand for the present, however, on facts and make the alliance complete. Once Germany and Austria Hungary are eco nomically and politically united, who soon in the world would have the cour age, whether alone or with others, to run against this bloc, especially when the war preparations of the allied em- pireS are unified, when France is weakened to such a degree as she appears today, to have no idea of when czaristiv Russia can be neither d men ace to it's enemies nor protection for political states which play the role of perpetual peace disturbers of the peace and intriguers; when the northern bor der states are the military followers of Germany; when Poland is allied to the central empires, and when neither starvation in the central powers, nor dissension between them can longer be accounted upon!
 The peace of Europe will then rest in the hands of united Germany and Austria Hungary. and will be in good hands"
 POLISH QUESTION
 The vice chancellor said the Polish question could be solved only in con- nection with the GermanAustro-H Hun . garian question, or vice versa In whatever form, too, Poland might in future seek and find it's attachment with the central powers, one thing is certain, that the attachment would be easier if Germany and Austria -Hung;1y are politically. militarily and perma- nently united than if the state of af- fairs is retained or even if there is a possibility that in future complete sep aration should be threatened" He con cluded:
 "The fateful hour has struck for Germany and Austria Hungary, and therefore, assuredly also for Europe.