The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-12
AUSTRIA READY
ocontipued from Page one.)

CONTINUED from Page One)
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. I know
for a fact that an Austrian official.now
in Switzerland declared Austria is
ready to accept President Wilson's
peace terms.
Austrian Throne Trembles.
The Austrian rulers are afraid of
the future. especially if the war con-
tinues. 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 gov
eminent 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 peoples is
for bread and peace.
The Bolshevik movement is rampant
anG growing in Austro-Hungary and
the country is menaced by revolution
and dismemberment. The monarchists
are scared as are the an-Germans-
who are keenly aware of events.
Bolsheviki Busy in Austria.
The Austrian BoIsheviki are headed
by Otto Bauer, who recently returned
fl ON Russia, where he was held pris-
oner.
(Recent United Press dispatches
from Petrograd stated the Bolsheviki
mad decided to appoint Bauer their
ambassador at Vienna.)
u
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 Socialists op-
posed the strikes, admitting they sur
priSed even them. who are still ODE
diently part of the government bloc.
The Socialists assumed charge of
the strikes and ordered the workers
to return after forty-eight hours, the
leaders saying they were not consulted
The fact is, Austria-Hungary is hard
hit by the war. The people are suf-
fering enormously.
Deaths Twice Number of Births.
The Vienna Economic Neues re-
ported $4,000 deaths in Vienna in
1917 against $4,000 births There
were over $4,000 deaths from tuber-
cuIoSiS, WHICH was enOrm OuSly in
| creased on account of the poor food.
A statement was made in the Aus
trian parliament that half the deaths
in Austria in 1917 resulted from tu-
berculosis. 1t was estimated there
were 120,000 deaths from that cause
IN Austria last year, At Prague, in
one week, deaths from consumption
exceeded births.
| With the Bolshevik 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 Hindenburg's offensive favor
| ably.
| Likewise, there are reasons for ter
ror gripping the hearts of war party
members. Austria is in no position
to continue an unpopular war. THE
| Hindenburg crow realizes the end
must come soon.
Therefore, the offensive must not be
delayed lest Austria fall to pieces
and with her Prussia .