South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-28

The German Russian policy IS
making serious trouble for the Aus
trian control Already the official as
well as the confidential information
received here cOnclusively prove
that internal uprising, eclipsing in
their intensity the recent country
wide strike riots. cannot be avoid
ed if the Austrian armies take any
part whatever in the subduing Of
Little and Great Russia.
Would Detract Attention.
One lengthy confidential repoct
received today dealing with the con-
ference between Emperor Charles
Of Austria and Emperor William Of
Germany. on Feb. p, says that at
that time the kaiser and Gen.
Ludendorff suggested as a means Of
distracting the attention Of the Aus
trians from the situation in the east
the immediate renewal Of the Of
fensive against the Italians. Ger
many promised. it is understood,
that if that policy was followed
she would withdraw certain of her
strangest units from the French
front TO aid the Austrians and en-
able them to accomplish the cap
ture Of Venice at least This sug-
gestion was denied for the reason.
it is supposed here. that such action
would work more 10 the benefit Cf
Germany than for Austria.
Threatened 10 Use Force.
Following this conference, il is
understood here, that Germany
threatened the use of force to hold
Austria in line This threat now is
known throughout Austria Hungary
and il is said To have greatly in
creased the bitter feeling against
Germany. As a result it is stated,
that the present unprecedented
speed of the German drive into
Russia is due TO a desire completely
to destroy that country before the
Austrian feeling can concentrate as
( then il is believed by German mill
tary leaders that action would have
to be at least deferred were the
Austrian officials forced to openly
protest against continuation of the
Russian conquest
Still Doubt "a to Action.
There still is doubt as TO what ac-
I ton Austria can he expected 70 take.
tt is known that Pope Benedict has
[ thrown his entire influence toward
the dual empire, continuing its ef-
/ fort TO initiate peace negotiations
with the United States. Every pos
sible influence of the vatican is be-
/ ing extended along this line at Wen
/ ma today. The result cannot be fore
cast with any degree of accuracy.
/ But should Austria become 4
more or less passive factor in the
war it would not mean that GeT-
many would change her present
/ plans. sHigh officials Of the imin-
/ istration emphasized this fact today
again and again. They pointed out
] that Russia is absolutely out Of the
/ struggle. Germany's army will con
I troll that anarchy ridden nation for
some time 10 come. And it will be
possible TO utilize on the east the
/ landstrum and other units Of the
older men. relieving for the fightins
on the western front all Of the ac-
/ tive German fighting units
Allies arc Superior.
This must not be understood as
meaning. war department officials
who are unusually frank today In
/ discussing the possibilities explain
that the weight in either men oT
metal will pass % Germany on the
west front. The allied forces will
continue superior there. But il will
mean that when the looHed-for
blow is struck il will be delivered
by the most powerful organization
that Germany has been able 10 con.
cantrate since the commencement
OF the Verdun offensive. and the--
is open pride felt here that the
flower of the American military ser
vice will have its part in repulsin