The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-17
IN AUGUST LIAR.
TWO CHARTER MEMBERS OF
NEW ANANIAS CLUB.
French Government Produces Proof
TO Furnish Distinguished Company
for Czcrnin-Letter From Emperor
OF Austria Proves That He Ac.
knowlcdged Right of France to Al
sacc-Lorrainc.
Paris. April 1.-THE following

."Once caught In the cog wheel of
lying there Is no means of stopping.
Emperor Charles. under Berlin's eye,
Is taking on himself the lying denials
OF Count Czernin and thus compels
the French government to supply the
proof. Herewith Is tfe text OF an
autograph letter communicated on
March 81. 1917. by Prince Sixtus de
Bourbon! the emperor Austria's
brother-in-law. to President Poincare.
and communicated Immediately with
premier:
My dear Sixtus: The end of the
third year Of this war, which has
brought so much mourning and grief
into the world. appears. All the peo-
pies OF my empire are more closely
united than ever in the common de-
termination to safeguard the integrity
OF the monarchy at the cost OF even
the heaviest sacrifices.
Thanks to their union, with the
generous corporations OF all nation
alities my empire and monarchy have
succeeded In resisting the gravest as
,saults for nearly three years. Nobody
can question the military advantages
secured by my troops, particularly In
the Balkans.
France. on her side. has shown
force. resistance and dashing courage
which are magnificent We all unre-
cry which is traditional to her army
and the spirit OF sacrifice of the en-
tire French people.
Therefore. 1t is a special pleasure
to me to note that although for the
moment adversaries. no real diver
gehce OF views or aspirations separate
many Of my empire from France. AMI
that am justified In hoping that my
keen sympathy for France. joined to
that which prevails in the whole mon
archy will forever avoid return OF
sponsibility can fall on me.
with this In mind. and to show
In n definite manner the reality OF
these feelings, beg you to convey
privately and unofficially to President
Peincare that ! will support by every
means and by exerting all by personal
iufusnoe vith my Allisss Frances Just
claims reEarding Alsace-Lorraine.
belgium should be entirely rees-
tablished in her sovereignty, retain
ing entirely her African possessions
without prejudice to the compensa-
tions she should receive for the loss
es she has undergone. Servia should
be reestablished In her sovereignty,
and. as pledge OF our good WILL we
are ready to assure her equitable nat
ural access to the Adriatic and also
wide economic concessions in Austria
Hungary. On her side, we will de-
mand. as primordial and essential
conditions that Servia cease in the fu-
ure all relations with and suppress
every association or group whose po-
htieal object aims at the disintegra-
ton OF the monarchy. that Servia
loyalty and by every means in her
power prevent any kind OF political
agitation either In Servia or beyond
her frontiers. In the foregoing direc-
ton and gives assurance thereof un-
der the guarantee of the entente DOW
ers.
The events In Russia compel me
to reserve my idea with regard to
that country until a legal definite gov
ernment Is established there.
Having thus laid my ideas clear
ly before you. I would ask you in
turn. after consulting with these !wo
powers. to lay before me the opinion
hrst OF France and England. with n
view to thus preparing the ground for
an understanding on the basis of
which official preliminary negotia-
lions could be taken up.
Hoping that thus we will soon be
able together to put "a limit to the
sunerings OF so many millions OF men
ana families now plunged I'm sadness
and anxiety. i beg to assure you Of
my warmest and most brotherly af-
fection.
(signed) Charles,
The note adds Count Czernin hav.
Ing recognized by his note of April
the existence OF this negotiation due
10 the Initiative of parsonage OF
rank far above his the Austrian gov
eminent IN summoned to give an ex-
planation OF the attempt avowed py