New Britain herald., 1918-04-15

The recent publication by the
French government of the futile
peace efforts made by Austria-Hun-
gary and sent out by Emperor Charles
in a letter dated March, 1915, and the
efforts of the emperor and the Hun
'Sarian foreign office to explain this
letter to the satisfaction Of Germany
and the German emperor probably
were the most potent Influences in
bringing about the resignation of the
count.
Since he was appointed foreign
minister, December %, 1915. as sue
cessor to Baron Burian, Count Czern-
in has been very active in attempting
to bring about peace and the moder-
ate tone of his speeches has been in
sharp contract with the German
chancellors and foreign secretaries
However his participation in the
forced peace upon Russia and Ru-
mania did not how that his actions
kept step with his words.
In the peace offensive" of the
present year Count Czernin in the
Austrian Reichsrath on January 25
suggested an exchange Of views be-
tween Austria-Hurgary and the Unit
ed States. He announced also that
Austria based her negotiations for
peace on a policy Of no anneXations
or indemnities but there always was
some doubt as to whether his pacifist
manner was honest or inspired by
, Berlin in an effort to bring about a
split among the Entente allies.
Called Liar by CIemenceau.
Count Czernin, on April 4, in an ad-
dress at Vienna declared Premier
Clemenceau of France had sought
peace negotiations with Austria. The
French premier declared it a lie.
The French and Austrian offices
then issued statements explaining the
Il unofficial negotiations in Switzerland.
Early last week the French govern
ment declared Emperor Charles and
Count Czernin both had said the
claim of France to AIsace-Lorraine
was. Just This brought a denial from
the emperor in the form of IL telegram
to Emperor William to whom he re-
ssiterated his loyalty to the German
cause.
This brought from the French gov
ernment the publication of a letter
from Emperor Charles to his broth
er-in-law, Prince Sixtus of Bourbon,
which was autographed and which
the emperor asked to be given to
President Poincare. In this letter the
emperor said France should have AL
saco-Iorraine and that Belgium and
siberia should be restored and asked
that London and Faris be felt out as
+. to peace terms.
1t has been reported in Vienna that
there was no attempt to hide its au-
thenticity but the French version was
rarbled. It also has been reported
that the letter had been written by
the emperor's mother-in-law.
Count Ottokar Czernin Won Chade-
nftz, a wealthy Bohemian landoWner
was minister to Humania When tha(
country entered the war. W1tnln SIX
weeks after the death OF emperor
Francis Joseph, Count CZernln was
appointed foreign minister by Empet~'
or Charles. Count Czernin is a very
close friend of Count Berchtold, who
has been reported as the pol1t1cai
mentor of the young emperor Bercn-
told has been opposed to the Pan
German war party and his reslgna-
tion was brought about by them.
In addition to being foreign minis
ter, Count Czernin was premier of the
Dual monarchy.
An official statement reaching here
from Vienna asserts the latest state
ynents of Premier Clemenceau con-
cprning the conversations regarding
noasibiiity, Of opening peace negotia-
tioaa 10 not alter the situation rs re-
oContinued On Eleventh Page.