The Prescott daily news., 1918-02-28
VIENNA AND BERLIN
 ARE NEAR ID \ BREAK
Strained Relations Between Two Governments Tense-Austria Considers War With Eastern NeighbOr at End.

washington, teb. Zf-Further evil dence of the growing strain in rela- tions between Germany and Austria over the refusal O. the latter to par ticipate in the renewed attack upon Russia is given in an official dispatch received here today from France. It quotes the Austrian premier as form ally reiterating on Feb. 22 that Aus tria-Hungary will take no part in military action against Russia or Roumania and will not send her troops into Ukrainia.
 The dispatch refers to the meeting between Emperors Charles and Will liam Feb. 22, and says there seems little doubt that serious conflict has arisen between the two nations, which Germany is determined to settle by violent measures if necessary.
 The dispatch follows:
 Charles I paid visit to William II the 22d of February. Ludendorff was present at the interview. If we are to judge from the tone of the inter- view, it must have been lacking in cor diality. There seems to be little doubt but what serious conflict has broken out during the week between the courts of Vienna and Berlin, and which Germany is determined to set tie if need be by violent measures.
 "The international situation of the dual monarchy is such that the Vien- ma government in order to avoid a catastrophe has been obliged to dis tinguish by means of public declara- tions it's own policy from that of Ger many. The report that at the confer ences of Feb. 14 Hertling and Luden- dorff had decided to pay no attention to the Russian demobilization and to prepare to begin again the conflict on the east front caused a great stir throughout Austria.
 'Tt was not simply the dissenting nationalities, the Czechs, the Slovenes or the Poles, who do not desire to fight any more, but it is the mass of the population of German origin who refuse to sacrifice themselves any longer to assure the triumph of Prus- sian imperialism.
 "An official note of the 18th had an- nounced that Austria for her part would continue to consider the war as terminated with Russia and would abstain from taking part in the opera tions planned by the German com mand. A second note of the 18th re- peated the same statement. When asked to give further particulars at the sitting of the chamber on the 22d 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. repeat that there is no question of having our troops penetrate into Ukraine with whom we are at peace. l repeat that the armistice exists between Austria Hungary and Roumania, and that we are only considering entering as early as possible into peace conver- sations with this country
 "These declarations are serious. Without a doubt in his speech on the 18th of February, Seydler pleaded his | fidelity to the alliance. But more and more Germany runs the risk of seeing Austria, and after her Bulgaria and Turkey. taking a positive attitude and. practically withdrawing from | the struggle, witnessing as specta- tors, the continuation of hostilitles