The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-28
Two Emperors Met On
Feb. %, and Serious Diff
ference Arose
INTERVIEW WAS
FAR FROM CORDIAL
Austrian Premier Repeats
Refusal To Renew East
ern Offensive
CRv Aasoclated Press.l

Washington, Feb. 2S.-Further
evidence Of the growing strain in
relations between Germany and Aus
tria over the refusal of the latter to
participate in the renewed attack
upon Russia, is given in an official
dispatch received here yesterday
from France. 1t quotes the Austrian
premier as formally reiterating on
Feb. % that Austria Hungary will
take no part In military action
against Russia or Rumania, and will
not send her troops into Ukruinia.
The dispatch refers to the meeting
between EmperOTs Charles and VIII
liam, Feb. %, and says there seems
little doubt that a serious conflict has
arisen between the two nations,
which Germany is determined to set
tie by violent measures IL necessary.
The dispatch follows:
Charles ], paid visit to William
II, the 22nd of February. Ludendorf
was present at the interview. II we
are to Judge from the tone Of the
interview. 1t must have been lacking
in cordiality. There seems to be lit
tie doubt but that a serious conflict
has broken out during the week be-
tween the courts Of Vienna and Ber-
lin and which Germany is determin
ed TO settle If need be ~ violent
measures.
Austria Forced 20 Act.
The internal situation in the Dual
Monarchy is such that the Vienna
government, in order to avert a
catastrophe has been obliged to dis
tinguish by means Of public declara
tiOns its own policy from that Of Ger
many. The report that at the
conferences of Feb. IA, Hertling and
Ludendorff had decided to pay no
attention to the Russian demObiliza-
tion and TO prepare TO begin again
the conflict on the east front, caused
a great stir throughout Austria. II
was not simply the dissenting ma
tionalities, the Czechs, abe Slovenes,
or tho Poles, who do not desire to
fight any more, but IL is the mass Of
the population Of German origin who
refuse to sacrifice themselves any
longer to assure the triumph OF
Prussian imperialism. 81
AN official note Of the 18th had
announced that Austria for her part
would continue TO consider the war
as terminated with Russia and would
abstain from taking part in the
operations planned by the German
command. A second note Of the T9th
repeated the same statement. When
asked to give further particulars at
the sitting Of the chamber on the
22nd, the Austrian premier formally
stated:
THE words uttered by different
deputies have proved that the eX-
planation which has been furnished
up to the present by me have not
been sufficiently explicit. l repeat
therefore that Austria Hungary will
participate in no way in the military
action which is now being carried on
by Germany against Russia I re-
peat. that there is no question of hav-
Ing our troops penetrate into
Jkrainia with whom VIC are at
peace. ! repeat that the armistice
exists between AustrO-H Hungary and
2umania and that we are only con-
entering as early as possible |
nto peace conversations with this |
country
These declarations are serious. |
a doubt in his speech on the |
18th Of February Seydler pleaded his |
idelity to the alliance. But more |
Ind more Germany runs the risk Of /
eeing Austria, and after her, Bull |
saria and Turkey, take a positive |
and. practically withdraw
ng from the struggle, witness as
Ipectators the continuation Of hostil- |
ties"