Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-16
WOULD DISCOVER
BASIC PRINCIPLES
FOR Ending war.
Parley to Be Held in Neu-
trail Country at an
Early Date.
PROPOSAL is DIRECTED
TO ALL BELLIGERENTS
Holy See and Peaceful Govern
ments Are Informed
of Pl-.n.
DESIRE FOR PEACE GROWS
Vienna Says Cost VIII Be Tremen-
dous Even II Entente Can Win
Military Victory.
,EsIRE FOR PEACE GROWS
IRx Associated prcss.l

IBy Associa ted Prcssl
AMSTERDAM September 15.-In ex-
tending an invitation to all the beIliS-
erent governments to enter into nom
binding discussions at some neutral
meeting place the Austro- Hunga rian
government states that the object OF
the conference would be to secure an
exchange OF views which would show
whether those prerequisites exist
which would make the speedy inaugu-
ration OF peace negotiations appear
promising" Il
The Austrian proposal. which is an
nounced In an official communication
war. and that the discussions woulo
go only SO far as considered by the par.
ticipantS to offer prospects Of success"
The proposal calls for all the bel
ligerents to send delegates for "a con-
the basic principles for the conclusion
OF peace, IN place In neutral coun-
try and at near date that would yet
The proposal says the conference
would be ono of delegates who would
other the conception OF thoir govern
nients regarding those. principles and
to- receive analogous ,communitations.
as well as 10 request and give frank
and candid explanations on an those
points which need 10 he, precisely de.S
The government announces that
bbeen' been' sJdp. eJ5ddpuiyhE lts suggestions, had
erent powers. and that Santous ahs Hot" oeltis. l
had been apprised of the PROPOSAL in
ao,, special noe. me governments ., inc
with the proposal. - - : -
The text OF the official communication
reads: ''oi
Am, objective and conscientious e,-
animation OF the situation of ali the
Iemh; IIe,,tGerent ,ha states no longer leaves
eoT'' 9ide ,bew tnat nal an peoples, on whatever
a speedy end to the bIooay str5rrie H
i,H Despite this natural and comprehenai-
been possible to create those nre,in,i
nary conditions calculated TO bring the
i nsaGe enorts nearer to realization and
separates the -belligerents from one
another.
"A more effective means must there
sponsible factors Nof ali the countries
can be offered an opportunity TO in
vestigate the present possibilities of an :
understanding.
The first step which Austria Hun !
gary, in accord with her allies, under
LOOK LOOK, on December IL. 1915. for the
TO the end hoped for
The grounds for this lay assuredty
the situation at that time. In order
spirit which was steadily deciinin.
the allied governments had by the most
severe means suppressed even any dis.
came about that the ground for peace
understanding WAS not properly pre-
p. ared The natural transition from
tion of conciiiation was lacking. a'sl
~ would. however, be wrong to
nsl,eNe mat the peace step we then
fruits consist of something which is
not TO be overlooked--that the peace
question has not since vanished FROM
the order OF the day. The discussions
which have been carried on before the
tribunal of public opinion have dis
closed closed prGGf of the not slight direr-
warring powers. in their conception Of
peace conditions.
. IN Nevertheiess; an atmosphere has
heen created which no longer excludes
the discussion Of the peace problem
DESIRE For PEACE II,
UNDERSTt NDING GROWS
Without optimism. il at least as
teranccs OF responsible statesmen that
the desire to reach an understand he
ana not to decide the war exclusively
ginning to penetrate into allies states,
save Tor some exceptions in the case
of blinded war agtators, which are
certainly not to be estimated lightly.<&.
The Austro- Hungarian government
is aware that after the deep-reachinE
convulsions which have been caused in
the life of the peoples by the devasIat.
ing effects Of the world war 1t will NOT
be possible TO re-estahiish order in the
path that leads to the restoration ofl
peaceful relations between the peoptes
Is cut by hatred and embitterment n
is toiIsomc and wearisome. yet it is our
duty TO tread this path--the path, or
negotiations and II there are still such
responsible factors as desire to over:
come the opponent by military means
and to force the Will to victory unnn
him. there can, nevertheless. no Longer
he doubt that this aim. oven ASSUMING
that IL is attainable would flrst ns
cessitatc further sanguinary and pro
tracted struggle. 80
IN IEn, even ,Se later victorious peace
.no consequences OF such poljcy
CONSEQUENCES which will be fataI'to
all the States and peoples OF Europs
The only peace which could right.
eously adjust tho still divergent Con-
ceptions OF the oponents wiuid be a
peace desired by all the peoples. WITH
this consciousness, and In ITS unswerv-
ing endeavor to wcrk In the Interests
of peace, the Austro Hungarian
government now again comes forward
with a suggestion with the object OF
bringing about direct discussion be-
tween the enemy powers, ~ -Gs5
The earnest VIII to peace of wide
classes of the population Of all The
s,a6Ss !, ,hna%s,, who im. are je,ntly suff.tips
In indiyiduaj eontSo.S